Cotty wrote: > [...] > > Being an old design, the Land Rover Defender is due for the chop. Because > it is basically a big Mechano (Erector) set, it has to be hand-build and > is incredibly labour intensive. Plus, it has design flaws that to this > day still prevail - like rain dribbling in the door - Malcolm Smith will > confirm this ;-) If you remark on this to a Land Rover dealer, he will > answer with a time-honoured reply that just about sums up the great > British car industry: > > 'Yes it's amazing isn't it. Don't worry, they all do that' > > <Land Primer ends>
Having grown up owning a number of British sports cars, I remember the honored "rain rags" all of my friends and I kept stuffed here and there in our cars. It was part of the mystique, and while a royal (s'cuse me) pain, it was part of the experience, and one put up with it. My first sports car was a 1957 Triumph TR-3. I took delivery in early evening, and drove home in the dark and in a downpour, with the smell of those leather seats and dash covering, and the pitiful little windscreen wiper trying valiantly to keep the deluge wiped away! Side curtains not quite sealing off the splashing from adjacent motorcars, and just generally having the time of my life! Couldn't take the grin off my face with a wood plane! A succession of sports cars followed that one, and each provided a little better weather sealing, but yes, they all DO do that! :-D Just like all Jaguar's leak oil from under the dash, onto your pants leg. You put up with it or you trade off for more mundane transportation! I'd rather put up with trying to seal the leak... keith whaley
