By Jeff Glucker
The Team O’Neil Rally School should be pretty darn well equipped to determine if a vehicle can “rally” or not. In fact, they do just that on their YouTube channel with lead hot shoe Wyatt Knox showing the rest of us how it’s done. In the latest example of this format, the question falls to not one but two vehicles: a pair of old-school off-roaders. In one corner, we have a 1971 Land Rover Series IIA (or III), and in the other is a humble but ready-to-rumble 1987 Mitsubishi Montero.
There’s snow on the ground. There’s ice under the snow. But the two drivers in this video clearly know how to fling these boxy beasts through their home course. It’s a blast to watch the amount of lean you have in an old Land Rover that’s not wearing sway bars, and it’s equally as entertaining to see Knox do pendulum turns and get lift-off-oversteer in the Montero.
I have to assume that the Montero in question here is saddled with the four-cylinder engine. That’s a shame, and it makes sense as to why Wyatt is basically flat out in the thing. Not that the 3.0-liter in my own Montero is a beast, but the power difference is extremely noticeable. In fact, my Montero is far more torquey than one might expect… at least, it feels that way in the driver’s seat even if it wouldn’t resonate on a dyno.
So, who wins this battle? While there is a winner, I say that we all win for getting to watch two seriously skilled drivers huck these old hunks of metal through a beautiful twisting course covered in snow.
Kamil Kaluski
I like both trucks, so I didn’t care which won. I love the design and character of the Land Rover, but the Pajero looks more fun to drive. Though, if I build a Series IIA or III, I would do it differently than that. I don’t particularly like lifted trucks and giant tires. I’d keep it lower with pizza cutters.