Probably have to say 1966 Series II Land Rover. Not fast (around 55mph flat out) and noisy in the cab, but rugged as all hell. What endeared me to "Old Thunderbolt Greaseslapper" was its ability to claw its way over stumps, logs, rocks- or maybe it was just the spare tire mounted on top of the hood. Had to double clutch when shifting up and down ( synchronizers?haha!), and braking required multiple stabs of the brake pedal to build up a little hydraulic pressure- you had to think ahead about shifting and stopping. Low range gearing made "granny gears" in other 4WD's seem like overdrive. The gasoline 4 cyl. engine was based on an agricultural diesel engine- absolutely bullet proof.

I drove that thing for years back in the 80's to the utter dismay of my wife (another reason I kept it around ). I doubt that any "snowflake outdoorsman wannabe's" today could even figure out how to start it let alone drive it.


"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz
"Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty