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By Nate Julian
In 1947 the world looked very different than it does today. Many borders had recently changed due to political changes and war, as a result many people were forced to move and start lives in new countries. Great Britain, whose resources had been drained to the last drop, was in a difficult state of rationing and economic control which affected everyone in the country. With World War II over many were left with no work in factories. This pushed many to work on farms. The need for a vehicle that could traverse rough ground with power that a farmer would expect from his tractor was in great need. According to Ottawa Valley Land Rover, Spencer and Maurice Wilks put their minds together to design a vehicle cheap to build, require minimal tooling and as little sheet metal as possible due to lack of resources. Work on the prototype began in the spring of 1947, and was finished by the end of summer. On April 30, 1948 Land Rover debuted at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Today Land Rovers have become the most trusted and best performingoff-road vehicles available. Bob Green, Utah State student and Land Rover owner, says, "I have owned many 4x4 vehicles and my 1990 Range Rover outperforms every 4x4 I've ever seen." It is no surprise that so many clubs have been created. It is easy to become a member of a club. Most clubs have web sites, making it easy to find a club in your area. The majority of Land Rover Clubs are found in the UK and the US, however there are many clubs in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Islands and even Africa. Membership in a Land Rover Club usually includes social events, adventure trips, competitive events, monthly meetings, off-road driver training, vehicle maintenance advice, free use of sales pages, access to news and press releases, and discounts with suppliers. Membership fees range from $10-60 each year. Nick Bosen, member of the Salt Lake Land Rover Club, says, "The most fun part of being a member is definitely the Moab expedition we do every April." Bowen says the expedition consists of 50-75 Land Rovers uniting in Moab, testing the cars' abilities on the redrock terrain. Bowen also states, "Each year I save up all the money I can, because usually end up needing to do some repairs when the weekend is over." But when asked if it is still worth it he replied, "It is honestly the event I look forward to most, it is worth any reasonable amount of money." At the end of our conversation Bosen said, "The club provides an escape in our everyday lives, it gives us all a hobby and interest. It's a great opportunity to relieve the stress of our lives and just go out and have fun."
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