The Blairstown Brigade Text and Photography by Christopher Holewski
T
here are 23 acres in Blairstown, NJ, where Land Rovers thrive and flourish. Enthusiasts Bill and Patty Cooper own the land that houses a comprehensive representation of every Land Rover model. Bill is a cheerful, happy-golucky example of the Land Rover owner/enthusiast. A current tally reveals that he has 17 Land Rovers Above and Right: Bill Cooper and housed in and around four garages his ‘57 Series I Station Wagon on his bucolic property in Northern New Jersey — not including the vehicles of his fleet that are currently out at various shops for work he can’t manage himself. That’s not to say Bill fears getting his hands dirty; witness the ’51 Series I in one garage with its head removed to diagnose excessive oil loss. Like many long-time enthusiasts, Land Rovers entered Bill’s life when, as a child, he watched Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and saw Series Land Rovers on safari in Africa and exploring other remote regions of the world. Then came the shiny issues of National Geographic, showcasing other gorgeous Rovers in similarly exciting locations. Collectively, they left the distinct impression that Land Rovers are made for adventure. Sure, he knew about Jeeps, but those were weekend playthings. If anyone wanted to go on a real adventure, they needed a Land Rover. As Bill said, “I’d grown up around all kinds of driving and off-roading. Jeeps and Broncos are fun, but for adventures, Land Rovers seemed the best choice.” 38
roversmagazine.com
Summer-Fall 2021
