RE: The SUV debate

["John Fielding" <johnf@domain.elided>]

Hi All,

Whilst pondering on the SUV debate whilst driving from Johannesburg back home to Durban -
a distance of approx. 600km - I suddenly remembered the real origin of the SUV.  Many
years ago in the UK the Land-Rover company brought out the Range-Rover, this was a BIG
vehicle by UK standards, and was aimed at wealthy farmers and large property owners to
replace the old Land-Rover which was rather dated by then.  It had permanent 4 wheel drive
and a 3.5L American origin Ali V8 motor (Oldsmobile I think?).  Well it caught on as a
"cult symbol" not by the intended customers but the trendy well heeled city drivers.  The
patronage of certain members of the Royal family (Princess Anne and Prince Charles to name
a couple) who used them to attend Polo and other "horsy" events also attended by
"wanna-be's" of society, boosted the image and soon everyone who could afford one was
queuing up to buy one.

The most prolific area in trendy London where these could be seen parked outside exclusive
clothes shops, coffee shops and expensive restaurants was Sloane Square.  Hence the term
was coined of "Sloane Rangers" to donate someone with more money than sense who wished to
be seen driving an expensive vehicle, completely unsuited for the road conditions existing
in inner London, as a statement "Look I have made it!"  Very soon after you could buy
spray-on mud in an aerosol to coat the underside to make it looked like you had been
off-road.  I wonder if the American origin is similar?

Incidentally HM Queen Elizabeth still drives a 1960's Land-Rover (series 1) when in
residence at her Scottish home, and knows how to change the spark-plugs!  She was  a
mechanic in the British Army during  WW2.

John
Durban
South Africa
Alfetta 1.8L turbo
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