Terry Ito Column Vol.14 I bought an old Range Rover!

Being a car lover, I've made another purchase. It's a 1991 British Range Rover, commonly known as the Classic Range. I came across it on a YouTube location shoot and fell in love at first sight. After months of hesitation, I finally bought it. The reason I hesitated was because when I told the shop owner I was considering buying it, he suddenly said, "Terry, you'll have a hard time with this car. It's over 30 years old. British cars generally run well, but they often have minor issues." That was a response I couldn't imagine coming from a shop owner. I was a little disappointed, but I pulled myself together and asked him what would break down. He gave me a general answer: "Probably the electrical system, and other things." We were both silent. I returned home in silence. Days of contemplation continued...

The Range Rover I fell in love with at first sight was different from the ordinary. While many cars emphasize originality, the previous owner had repainted the body color in Bentley's original blue and replaced the interior with a flashy, bright red leather upholstery. It's an appearance that might raise eyebrows among conservative Range Rover fans, but to me, that's what makes it good. The problem is whether I'll be able to deal with any problems. This is a big challenge for someone like me who's not good with mechanics. The Japanese EV I'm currently driving is well-made, but lacks excitement. I made a quick decision. "That's it! I want to try my hand at driving again." From there, things went quickly. Four days later, I sold the Japanese car and finally got my hands on the Range Rover I'd longed for.

On the day of delivery, when I was feeling excited, the shop owner again gave me some words of advice: "When starting the engine, wait 15 seconds after turning the key. Don't forget to warm up the engine in winter. Raise and lower the power windows slowly, doing so suddenly could cause them to break. Open and close the doors quietly. The electrical system is weak, so you need to be careful on rainy winter days. The heater, wipers, and lights use a lot of battery power..." The delivery ceremony for a British car that's over 0 years old had a heavy, if not exactly cheerful, atmosphere, but I wouldn't be discouraged.

Once you get in, you feel refreshed! Just head straight for the sea! It's incredibly comfortable. The engine runs well, and the restored exterior looks like a new car. The Range Rover looks great on Route 134, which runs along the coast. In a parking lot in Kamakura, car-loving owners called out to me. My Shonan debut was a great success.

Three days later, when I had almost forgotten the owner's advice, the first problem occurred. The passenger window wouldn't roll down, and the central door locking wouldn't work. I frantically contacted the owner, who calmly instructed me, "Terry, please press the switch firmly several times, and it will start moving." However, there was no sign of recovery, and the car is currently undergoing a long-term stay at the repair shop. My life with the Classic Range Rover has just begun.

Terry Ito (director)

Born in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1949. After attending Waseda Jitsugyo Junior and Senior High School, he graduated from Nihon University's School of Economics.
In March 2023, he completed the Master's program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University.
He joined the television production company IVS Television, where he worked on variety shows such as "Tensai Takeshi's Genki ga Deru TV" and "Neruton Benikujidan."
He then went independent and worked on planning and directing a number of television programs, including TV Tokyo's "Asakusabashi Young Clothing Store."
His book "Comedy North Korea" became a bestseller, and he subsequently made numerous media appearances under the name Terry Ito.
In addition to his work as a director, he is also active in a variety of fields as a producer, entertainer, and commentator.
YouTube channelTerry Ito's Comedy Backdrop'
Currently writing a column in LALALA USA
https://lalalausa.com/archives/category/column/terry