Circa 1962

1962 Series IIA Land Rover

This is my first car. It rumbled up to my house Christmas day of my junior year in high school. My parents bought it on Ebay and had it shipped down from where it was working on a farm in Vermont. I drove it to high school everyday my senior year. Driving in the winter was hard. Even though I lived less than a five minute drive to school I would stall out multiple times on the way just because the engine was still too cold to run. I had to lift the hood, and huge tire, every morning to manually turn on and off the battery. I love this car. 

I think the cars we drive really define us. When I went away to college my parents couldn't let me take this car, as it would never make it the 2 1/2 hour drive to school. I was really upset about the 'image' I was loosing. Sure it's shallow, but it's also sentimental. I had such a connection with this car and I really wanted to drive it around campus and have my newest friends see what I felt I was all about. Not something shiny and new, but this old rambling car filled with character. 

Features: John Deere Green exterior paint color from its days as a farm vehicle in Vermont. A bench seat in front, ideal for 60's nights spent necking at drive in movies. Individual wind shield wiper motors. Two front air vents. Four center facing foldable bucket seats in the back. To turn on the brights you have to step on a button. 

Fun Facts: My dad has done nearly all the work on this car to make it run. This is the car I learned to drive manual on. The white roof can be replaced by a canvas soft top, or removed all together for a pick up look. I passed Jerry Seinfield while driving this car and he gave me a thumbs up - true story. If I could go back to 1962 and drive this car cross country, I would in a second. 

The car is retired now, and lives at my parent's beach house. It's only duty to tote people to and from the beach. That sounds like a pretty good life to me. 

Saturday Kev and I got up early and grabbed some breakfast to eat at the beach (note his coffee on the step). I wore this outfit straight to the ocean beach afterwards. My olive green bathing suit is underneath. I've been looking for a giant brown sun hat and when I ran all my errands Friday I found this one! Pleasant little shopping surprise. It can be hard for a brunette to wear brown sometimes. The brown either clashes, or is too matchy. I was a little worried about this brown clashing with my locks, but I think it's alright.  

JCrew Hat, Madewell Dress, Minnetonka Shoes

Vintage Wooden Necklace from Capricious Traveler, Wooden Bracelet from Market, Vintage Scarf from My Mom's Closet

I sent a picture to Jessica of What I Wore again for her Safari Chic Challenge. It just so happens that Land Rovers are commonly used on Safari in Africa. I'm not sure exactly why other than the fact that they're reliable, easy to fix, and great offroad vehicles. If you watch Animal Planet I'm sure you've seen one. 

Besides the car the outfit was safari inspired with the animal print scarf, and giant sun protecting hat. The dress is white to reflect the sun, loose and airy to avoid the heat. Good for safari or beach, either way. ha

Pictures by Kev

Do you feel a connection to your car? Do you think it defines you in some way? 

ps - First official photo shoot with the new camera. What do you think?
pps - Check out the Thriftaway Giveaway here if you haven't yet!