utation as a moocher, she carelessly tossed out the invitation. PR staffer Stefanie Schiavello promised whatever help I needed obtaining credentials. Armed only with a rudimentary understanding of what a business trip to New York City required, I consulted with Mark and Calef Letorney. They determined that my proposed expenditures would barely cover a cardboard box outside of Grand Central Station and upped the budget. A New York City state of mind does not come easily to an inhabitant of a Maine island. First came a search for hotel rooms somewhat in the vicinity of Manhattan’s west side. Room charges per night equaled my month’s rent; lower priced venues required either sharing bathrooms or making long, expensive public transit rides from neighboring boroughs. Using various internet search tools took hours, but I finally found a place in a quaint neighborhood aptly named “Hell’s Kitchen”. With the absence of an elevator, the hotel promised me a healthy workout every day just getting to the room. Additional benefits came from the taxi cab charges; you can rent a car in Maine for the day for less than cab rides in Manhattan. The hotel lay within a mere 30 blocks from Land Rover’s event site and the Javits Center, so I hoofed it each day. The night of Land Rover’s corporate party I did question the wisdom of walking 30 blocks late at night, but I fell into good luck by meeting Perry Stern, MSN’s Autos Editor. Coincidentally, we departed the event around the same time and he mentioned that he was quartered at the “W” [the briefer the name of the hotel, the higher its rates], just a few blocks from my abode. Did I wish to share a ride with him? Most assuredly! As we left the event site he showed his experience by turning to a lovely hostess and asking her to get him a “shuttle.” I envisioned an ugly airport minibus, but within moments one of the many black Range Rovers lined up in front of the restaurant moved forward and a driver opened a door for me. Generally, when a Range Rover pulls up in front of me someone expects me to “fill it up” or “be careful when you wash it,” but no—this time I would become a passenger. Ensconced in the leather seat, surrounded by rich wood trims, comforted by zephyrs wafting through the car, I wallowed in the luxury of a new Range Rover. It was quite a step up from my Series II-A. A few days before the show’s opening I decided to peer inside the Javits Center to watch the Land Rover exhibit go up. Hundreds of workers labored to erect the displays as I sauntered past them. I took some photos and videos that I posted on the Rovers North blog each day. At some point I anticipated having to explain my presence to one of the many security guards, but they all seemed so absorbed by their text messages that they just waived me along. I genuinely enjoyed the brief spell of the high life provided by Land Rover, but real joy came from the Land Rover enthusiasts in the New York area. When I mentioned that I would be in New York, Carlos Melo, the genial owner of British Auto Works in the Bronx, and his charming office assistant, Leni Soberanis, rearranged their busy schedules so we could have breakfast one morning. They drove Carlos’ stunning LR4 into Manhattan, picked me up in front of my hotel and then transported me to the Crosstown Diner in the Bronx where they assured me of a fantastic meal. They undersold the genuine stainless steel clad diner; I loved it. Then they took me to the shop, which encompasses a few low rise buildings in an industrial area. It looked just like the ones in Europe—jumbled building crowded with cars and mechanics working quickly but carefully because every car was, by definition, in the way of another car. Out in front sat the day’s work—Range Rovers, Discoverys, a Defender, a Series Land Rover and a Ferrari. Walking around the corner I saw the paint shop, and behind a chain link fence, Range Rover Classics, P-38s and Discoverys being prepared for sale. A couple of days later I enjoyed the same hospitality, this time courtesy of Kevin Murphy and Tim Smith, both working with the Clas-
sic Car Gallery in Southport, CT. Kevin has worked as a restorer [a stunning Series III, a Morgan and a Triumph Stag] and broker; he knows his Land Rovers and still owns a Range Rover Clas-
L-R: Carlos Melo and Leni Soberanis of British Auto Works.
L-R: Kevin Murphy and Tim Smith at The Classic Car Gallery.
sic. Tim has an endearing Military Lightweight and serves as a mechanic for the company. The gallery, right on a main street, featured a raft of really interesting cars, but out front, they placed a Defender 90 Station Wagon with a custom raised roof. Kevin and Tim knew just where to go for lunch and we enjoyed the food in another local diner. Meeting Land Rover’s leadership from the UK and in the US demonstrated that the marque attracts really engaging, intriguing people—something confirmed every time I meet yet another Land Rover enthusiast. The range of professions, experiences and backgrounds proved anew that the Land Rover enthusiast community makes ownership of any Land Rover a transformative experience in your life. ///
Rovers Magazine
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