The setting: a dark pub in a 200 year-old building in Warwickshire, UK. There, we run into the proprietor of the inn down the road where we’re staying the night. He knows that we’ll be visiting Land Rover’s Design & Engineering Centre in Gaydon the following morning. Over a glass of creamy, tepid ale he tells us, “There’s another American that comes here once in a while. Big fellow with blond hair and glasses. Always looking up factory records and such.”

That could really be anybody, but I knew immediately who it was. “Is his name Ben?”

LR Experience Driving Centres in the US are now offering visitors the opportunity to test their mettle by getting behind the wheel of an older US Model Defender and putting it through its paces off-road. The Defender is arguably one of the most iconic 4x4’s ever built, and its rarity on these shores just adds to its mystique. That has driven the cost of the vehicles up astronomically in the last few years. Even as late as 2009, 15 years after they were built, clean, higher-mileage examples could be had for under $20k. Now, that will get you a roll cage, a (likely salvage) title, a little metal badge with a VIN, a limited edition stamped "Defender" badge from the rear body, and a pile of rusty metal or worse. Simply put, a US Defender 90 in good condition is not something the average person can afford. If you and all your friends are average and didn't buy one 10 years ago, the 'Heritage Drives" are here to offer you a taste.

This month we bring you a story of true dedication and the bond between a young man and his faithful steed. In this version of that classic tale, the steed is a 1990 Range Rover Classic, and the young man is one Patrick Turbett, from Penfield, New York.

In March of 2015, Patrick and his wife Jacque embarked on a full-body makeover of Patrick’s Range Rover. The infamous frozen road salt margarita mix of New York winters had taken its toll, and most of the metal connecting the body to the frame had completely disintegrated.

Welcome to 'Profiles in "Courage,”' a new feature here on the Roverlog. In this series of articles, we seek to recognize individuals who have aimed for the stars in pursuit of their Land Rover ownership experience. Regardless of whether a project is still just a twinkle in one's wallet, a fully realized going (and stopping) concern, or an utter failure to be kept secret from your mates, those stories need to be told.

I use the word "courage," because while your friends and family members may (don't worry, they do) think you are a wrench-wielding, environment-destroying, garage-locked Neanderthal, in your Land Rover's eyes, you are a Hero. Maybe even a Superhero. The day you handed over a cashier's check or stack of Benjamins for that algae-covered, flat-tired hulking pile of aluminum with a chassis and firewall doing their best Swiss Cheese impersonation, you revealed your true nature. You were either brave or stupid. Nobody wants to be stupid, so let's go with brave.

I'll start with my own story, and some thoughts about why Land Rovers captivate the imaginations of so many, and to such extent. And, why I'm so stupid. I mean, brave. Right then.

As many of you may already know, there is a new Land Rover magazine for North America. The first issue of Alloy+Grit hit my mailbox a week or so ago. Now that I’ve had a chance to look it over, I thought I would share some thoughts.

My first thought, holding the actual magazine in my hands, is “Finally!”

Finally, not just because I have been eagerly awaiting its release since first hearing about it about this time last year. Finally, not just because it is the first North American magazine to feature Land Rovers. Because it isn’t. You can read about them in Overland Journal, and you can read about them in the glossy American 4x4 mags on very rare occasions. There was another all-Land Rover venture some years back that some might recall, that didn't last very long.

Finally…because this is the first Land-Rovers-only, North America-only, true full-color “glossy” magazine, that truly seeks to cater to every segment of the Land Rover market here.

There are lots of ways that our vehicles let us know when it's time for some major exhaust work. For me, that usually happens in the middle of a long trip and I end up leaving some portion of the exhaust system on the side of the road or taking it home with me on the roof rack. For those residing in Northern climates, the corrosion caused by winter road salt can make short work of your original exhaust parts. When that dread time does arrive, and rest assured it will, Atlantic British has you covered with a full range of OEM, performance and aftermarket replacement choices.

Ask most Land Rover owners about the work they’ve had done on their truck and you’re likely to be greeted with an eye roll, or perhaps even a laugh.

Rumors leaking from several news sources point to the imminent release of a Victoria Beckham Special Edition Evoque. This latest development from Land Rover is sure to delight the throngs of Spice Girls fans and TMZ devotees who have outgrown the lunch boxes and trapper keepers once used to display allegiance to their favorite pop star.

O.K., we were WRONG!

When Land Rover introduced the Discovery replacement in New York earlier this year, we were less than enthusiastic (see our previous story). The LR3 (or Discovery 3 as it will be known outside the North America) didn’t catch our eye nor our imagination as the original Discovery did when it was introduced in 1989.

The next generation Land Rover Discovery is officially on its way for the 2005 model year release in Fall 2004. Call it the Discovery III - or the LR3 (as it will be called in North America where alpha-numeric vehicle names are all the rage) - either way, “an absolute priority was to ensure that nobody could mistake this vehicle for anything else…” said Geoff Upex, Land Rover’s director of design. “It had to look thoroughly modern, bold and distinctive” he said, but very definitely a Land Rover.

Everyone knows the Range Rover is the ultimate luxury SUV that's dually suited for advanced off-roading, but when it comes to on-road performance…well, it has certainly improved the past few years, but its 282 HP shrinks in the wake of the 340 put out by the Porsche Cayenne S (worse – the Porsche’s Turbo makes a cool 450!)

So, what's Land Rover's answer? The Range Stormer concept vehicle (also known as the Range Rover Sport – final production name still TBD), a vehicle that looks more like it came from James Bond’s Q-branch than from the drawing boards of Solihull. This is a Land Rover that screams!

Automobile's SUV special issue in April, 2002, gave the new 2003 Range Rover a very tough and thorough going over, and concluded that they were very happy with the new BMW engine, among other things.

The Freelanders are rolling out of the Land Rover Dealerships in record numbers and we know why. If you are at all interested in purchasing a competent, all wheel drive, (real world) vehicle, you owe it to yourself to try the Freelander.