“I almost didn’t go for a Land Rover,’’ grins Michael Howell-Walmsley, owner and builder of this formidable Freelander 2. ‘‘There were a few different vehicles that fit the bill of what I needed, but the Freelander came out on top. I’ve had it three years now. I think it was the right choice.’’
Looking around this thoroughly worked-over F2, it’s hard to get your head around how differently it presents to a standard example. It oozes presence; the modifications amplify the stylish body lines, and the whole vehicle just seems so much bigger and more purposeful. One of the last Freelanders off the Halewood line, this 2013 gen 2 facelift actually shares a lot of its components with its period Evoque sibling, in an era when Land Rover was starting to wind down Freelander production in preparation for its Discovery Sport successor.
‘‘The fact it’s such a late one has caused me some challenges,’’ explains Michael. ‘‘There’s a good aftermarket supply of parts and upgrades for Freelanders now, but these late F2s have so many subtle differences to all the earlier ones that getting bits to fit isn’t always straightforward. The corner of the winch tray, for example, hits a sensor that fits in the intercooler pipework. That sensor is only there on really late examples.’’
Peering through the grille, it’s
