Time was that a land rover was a basic 4wd for farmers - it could pull a small plough, it had a power take off for a winch or a bunch of other devices. It was tough, reliable and maintainable with basic tools. You could hose it out too.

I am really disappointed with a Disco2 I just bought not having done my homework - so full of electronic gizmos that go wrong, that I have to fix because I cannot remove them - and boy do they keep throwing faults.

Now I have a 2012 Triumph Bonneville. 2/3rds the cost of a "modern" Triumph as it does not have ABS, fancy displays and all the features that a modern bike has - just enough to meet modern safety and emissions. Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi all make bikes for that market and they sell like hot cakes! And there is a thriving after market for customizing and addons for those who want them.

Perhaps Tata in India could build it based on an old discovery design, wind up windows, manual box, 3litre diesel, rubber mats etc. I am sure that they would sell fantastically - there is nothing in the Landrover lineup now that I can A) afford or b) would want to buy.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong: The early model Discos, (series 1 & 2,) were basically a Defender with the luxury options of a Range Rover. Nowadays you don't have nearly as many farmers as soccer moms and hipsters who think they need a 4wd station wagon to go from Gymboree to Starbucks, so Land Rovers have changed accordingly.

 

Nope, the disco was a down scale version of the Range Rover. The D1 was based on the RRC chassis etc.

The wheel bases are different between them and the Defender, very few parts besides the drive train interchange between the Defender and the RR/Disco.

They still make what the OP is looking for it's called a Defender just can't get new ones here so your only choice is going old school or a very very gray market truck.

 

I wish they made a new old rover say 73? What do you think ? Lose the swivel ball? & electronic ign ( no points )

 

I stand corrected.

 

I can tell you the first Land Rover I ever saw, or rode in, belonged to a high school girl friends father.

I drove it once - it must have been a Series...it was 1972 and it was just a body, drive train and engine and stick shift.. Diesel, and if I was lucky I could get it up to 40mph.

I don't remember her name, but I will never forget the Rover! I would kill or die to have one today!

 

I just love the look of the old rovers & don't need anything but ac & no points every thing else can be mechanical . Who's with me ?

 

Here's your truck, just needs a electronic ignition and you'd be in business..



Oh but you can't have that one it's mine

 

See don't you see how easy it allmost was .

 

Actually the new Defenders have a lot of electronics, even the diesels.

And the Series Land Rovers had swivel *****. The D1 and RRC axle assemblies are almost identical to the Series.