THE hierarchy and status of Land Rover models is in a constant state of flux, the order changing as time and experience alter our perceptions. A Series I was once a simple agricultural tool for the farm, but who today would think to put a cosseted 80in to such use? Likewise, try to find a cheap Discovery 1 to take off-road these days.
At the time of its launch the Discovery 4 was often cited as the most practical all-round Land Rover to date. Comfortable, economical, spacious for families or tip runs alike, eating motorway miles one minute, and lifting wheels off-road the next – except, of course, that a D4 was too expensive for most owners to consider venturing too far away from the tarmac. And with the car still in warranty, few folk would risk modifying one. Now, however, there are plenty of second-hand examples for reasonable money, and there’s a growing band of