A true Kiwi icon
WAIHEKE-BASED LAND ROVER OWNER JAMES STAINTON LEADS DATACOM’S STRATEGIC CONSULTING BRANCH IN AUCKLAND
You’re driving a 1961 two-door short wheelbase Series IIA petrol Land Rover?
It’s almost 60 years old, so I suspect it’s been around the odometer a few times. It’s still running the original 2.25L four-cylinder engine, with all the original spec engine and running gear parts.
Where did you buy it?
We found it during a family holiday, parked on the roadside in Picton with a for sale sign. It was painted in white house paint, didn’t have a straight panel on it and had a hard-top cab with open utility tray setup.
It still ran well though and the chassis was in good nick. $1000 sealed the deal.
You’ve done a full restoration?
I was 16 (1998), and it took about a year. A family friend had a panelbeating workshop and he let some friends, my brothers and I work there on weekends. We stripped it back to the chassis and rebuilt it from there. Every panel and engine part, piece by piece. It is now a Land Rover colour called Aintree Green.
It’s the only vehicle you’ve owned?
Yes. I used to go hunting and offroading with her all over the North Island when I was younger, but she lives a life of leisure these days, bouncing the 10-minute trip from home to the Waiheke ferry terminal and back. I do still give her a workout on weekends, towing a digger or taking a load to the tip.
What do you like about this Land Rover?
It’s practical I do almost all the mechanical work, so that makes it easy to take care of and I enjoy doing it.
I’m always filling the back with building materials, or something. The family can jump in covered in sand straight off the beach and I can just hose it out.
And Land Rovers in general?
They’re such an iconic vehicle for NZ. They weren’t invented here, but I don’t think there’s any other vehicle that represents our rural background, our fix-it-anywhere number-eight wire mentality, our love for the outdoors our history and links to Britain as a member of the Commonwealth.
Do people comment on the car?
Yes, all Landy Series and Defender drivers wave to each other.
How does it suit your personality?
It’s honest and hardworking. That’s undervalued these days.
If you had to describe it as a famous person?
Her Majesty. Who else can claim that?
Who else drives it?
My wife Renee is too scared to drive it. I think she knows what might happen if she crashed it!
You have two sons, Arlo, 6, and Luca, 4. Do they prefer your Land Rover or Mum’s car?
They love the Landy. It’s got a bench seat, so they can sit up front and they love it when we take the roof off, fold down the windscreen, or drive along the beach. In saying that, Mum’s car is more practical for long road trips.
Favourite road trip?
I once drove 14 people in a “moving party” halfway across the Coromandel to a concert on New Year’s Eve. Standing room only!
Favourite off-road trip?
Hunting with my brothers in the Coromandel.
Do you think you’ll sell it?
I hope not. I’m planning to get my boys to learn to drive it in.
Dream vehicle?
A classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL. They’re timelessly beautiful, but also represent the dapper era that they were designed for.
And your thoughts on electric and driverless vehicles?
I think it’s a horses for courses scenario. If 99 per cent of the population and traffic can get from A to B in something that’s good for the planet and saves lives, it’s got to be a good thing. The other 1 per cent of traffic can still be unique cars driven by enthusiasts and the overall impact is positive.