| | Land Rover Biography | | 
Land Rover Then and Now, Here and There Integral to the Land Rover Experience are the rich heritage and long lineage that inform us of who we are, and where we are going. Come with us as we follow the evolution of a remarkable vehicle—and the equally remarkable vehicles it inspired.
1948: The Legend Begins - The first Land Rover, built by brothers Spencer and Maurice Wilks for British car company Rover, rolls off the production line
- Engineered to reach rural British terrain no other vehicle could
- Sparse, utilitarian design includes short wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, 4-wheel-drive system, low-weight aluminum bodywork
- Work vehicle of choice for drivers of the military, agriculture and emergency services immensly popular from the get-go
1958-1971: Rugged and Refined - Land Rover Series II and IIA introduce new design and engineering refinements
- More sculpted appearance and larger, more powerful engine
- Longer wheelbase, improved stability, tighter turning radius result in more responsive ride
- 1959- Studebaker By Fohrman Inc. begins selling Volvo's on Chicago's North West side at Fullerton and Cicero Avenues. Fohrman will later become Howard Orloff Imports.
- In the '60s, Land Rover takes lead in emerging market for 4-wheel-drive vehicles
- 1964- Howard Orloff joins Studebaker By Fohrman group located at 4748 West Fullerton Avenue in Chicago and owned by brothers, Marvin and Irving, as a manager bringing with him a wealth of automotive experience, having worked and learned under the tutelage of Jim Moran the "courtesy man," owner of Courtesy Ford in Chicago.
- 1966- Howard Orloff buys Irving Fohrman's ownership interest to become 50% owner of Studebaker By Fohrman, Inc.
1970: Range Rover Makes Its Global Debut
- Range Rover launches in 1970 to immediate critical acclaim
- Studebaker By Forhman, Inc. is renamed Forhman Imports, Inc.
- Range Rover goes on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris
- British army major drives Range Rover in six-month journey from Anchorage, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina
- Design enhancements make for a beautifully proportioned car
- A light V8 engine coupled with coil suspension provide car-like performance and comfort
1970s–80s: The Lineage Expands - 1977- Howard Orloff welcomes the first of three family members into the business, being his son, David Orloff, who begins his automotive career in the Parts Department
- 1978- Fohrman Imports is sold when Howard Orloff purchases the remaining ownership interest of his remaining partner, Marvin Fohrman, and changes the company name to Howard Orloff Imports, Inc.
- Land Rover introduces advanced, new all-synchromesh transmission
- Enhanced on- and off-road capabilities earn Land Rover distinction in endurance motorsports events including the Paris–Dakar rally
- 1984—Defender 90 is launched and Howard Orloff Imports celebrates its 25th year in business serving the Chicagoland area.
- 1985- Howard Orloff welcomes his eldest son, Jeffrey Orloff, into his growing automotive business as a quality control test driver.
- 1987- The first U.S. - specification Range Rovers go on sale in the United States and David Orloff, employed since 1977 and the acting Vice President, becomes part owner of the business. Later that year, the company commences doing business under the name Howard Orloff Jaguar Volvo.
- Land Rover unveils the first Discovery in 1989
- Range Rover continues to gain momentum, winning accolades and becoming the must-have 4x4 vehicle
1990s: A Busy Decade
- 1990- Howard Orloff adds a third member of his family into the business by welcoming his son-in-law, Joseph Coletta to join himself, David and Jeffrey. Plans are being made to relocate the business to a location closer to the Kennedy Expressway and more convenient for their customers.
- The imposing and unique Defender 110 is released, to the applause of car collectors everywhere
- 1993- Howard Orloff Imports, after 34 years in business at the Fullerton and Cicero location moves its dealership to a new State-of-the-Art showroom and service facility in its current location at 1924 N. Paulina Street in Chicago just off the Kennedy Expressway at Armitage Avenue.
- 1994—Discovery offers the first SUV with dual airbags and Jeffrey Orloff, employed since 1985 and the acting corporate secretary, became part owner of the family business.
- 1995—Range Rover is launched, packed with a host of technological innovations
- 1997- Freelander launched in Europe
- 1999—Discovery Series II enters the North American market in January with the first redesign of Land Rover's popular Discovery model and Joseph Coletta, who joined the business in 1990 and is an acting Vice President of the organization, follows David and Jeffrey in becoming a part owner in the business.
2000s: Today and Tomorrow
- 2001- The five-door V6 Freelander is launched in North America
- 2002—Freelander SE3, the three-door version, is launched
- 2002—Freelander earns a spot on Automobile Magazine's All-Star list
- 2003—Range Rover launches with a powerful 4.4-litre V8 engine and many other styling and engineering refinements
- 2004—Land Rover unveils Range Stormer, Land Rover's first-ever concept car
- 2004—The new Land Rover LR3 is introduced—and quickly wins the 2005 Motor Trend SUV of the Year award
- 2004- Howard Orloff Imports, after 44 years of sustained growth, takes on a strategic growth opportunity by acquiring the Land Rover franchise, becoming the only Jaguar, Volvo and now Land Rover dealer in the city of Chicago. It commences doing business under the name Land Rover Chicago.
- 2005—Land Rover introduces its first sports tourer—The Range Rover Sport
- 2005—The 2006 Range Rover features its first supercharged motor—making it the most powerful yet quietest Range Rover ever
- 2005—The new Land Rovers are welcomed worldwide with 96 global awards—and counting...
- 2007- The 2008 LR2 SE is launched in North America
- 2008—The improved 2008 LR2 HSE with updated accoutrements is introduced
- 2009- The LRX concept car is unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.
The Legend Continues
60 years of fearless dreaming, exploring, and engineering has led to the creation of nine remarkable Land Rovers. From the 1948 Series One to the 2008 LR2 HSE, the past six decades of development have proven beyond a doubt the extraordinary capability of Land Rover vehicles. This is just the beginning.
As the years move forward, as exploration and adventure take on new dimensions—as the world around us changes, Land Rover will continue to be on the forefront of advanced vehicular design. The LRX concept vehicle is a testament to this vision, and our belief in a tradition of exploration, adventure and excellent engineering. Legends were born 60 years ago. As long as the world's ambition never wanes, as long as people share with us a passion for exploration, adventure, and unmatched driving experience, the same things will be said of us 60 years from today.
|
|
|
|
|
