new2ford

Thanks outback_ute. I still can't get my darn image uploading to work. The pics I had were of the initial 1952 Road Rover which looked more like the Landie. Your picture is the Road Rover in its last incarnation in the late 1950s. And yes johnydep I guess an SUV is hard to define but the Road Rover was definitely a different concept from the Land Rover station wagon and seems closer to what an SUV is now. All interesting bits of history and potentially another discussion. It all comes back to the point that for some, 2WD has some benefits and thus it shouldn't be a surprise that so many buy them - but of course this does not diminish the obvious benefits of AWD. As Territory says, the Terri is many things for many people. A very versatile package.

 

outback_ute

Yep the more familiar (and less hideous) Road Rover is below, from the L-R history page

new2ford

Thanks again outback_ute. Yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Terri is certainly lovelier and doubtless corners much better, but somehow I don't think it'll have the Landie's indestructable quality. I should mention that what makes the Road Rover an SUV and not a car-based station wagon (unlike the Volvo) is that it is a high vehicle on a 4WD chassis, more truck based than car based. But of course definitions are changing and chasses are on the way out - though we do still have the height! Defining a 4WD is certainly giving the 4x4 mags a hard time nowadays. By the way I notice the latest 4x4 Australia lists a Turbo Territory as an upcoming 2006 release.

johnydep

Looks more like a bus.

In those days 95% of cars were built on a ladder chassis with truck like ground clearance.

That ugly Rover is a truck based vehicle that the designer tried to make people friendly so as to increase sales from one model type. It is more a PMW (Poor Mans Wagon) than a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).
Were as the Territory is part-sedan, part-Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and part-people mover.
http://www.theopenroad.com.au/austra...ational4wd.asp

I see what your getting at though.

People are demanding more ground clearance and spacious interiors, like the old days.

johnydep

After driving my Terri last night through the hills in the wet without the family, I am more impressed than ever.
This thing handles like a sports sedan, I was throwing it at the corners and it just stuck to its course like a train on tracks. Body role? there was none.
And I love changing gears like a manual.
The engine has deffinetly got more power than when I first got it, so I reckon it is just about fully run-in.

AWD = traction. I Love it.

Territory

Great to hear johnydep. Terri's are great to drive! Remember though, that even the best handling car with the greatest driving aids can't save you if you go beyond the laws of physics! Enjoy it, but keep within sensible limits. [community safety announcement]

johnydep

Always

AussieCJ7

here is a pic of the willy's wagon



This was the beast that really started the whole SUV market way back in 1946 and as already stated was both 2wd and 4wd

new2ford

Thanks AussieCJ7 - bears out my point that Aussies have had to wait nearly 60 years for a RWD SUV! And I do believe that the SUV concept was clearly definable even back then. Sure there were still big high cars on chasses reflecting prewar designs (mainly American) but things like monocque construction were getting underway and vehicles like this Jeep and the Road Rover were clearly distinguishable from ordinary cars even then and were clearly pioneers of the modern SUV.