When Rad Rovers was created in 2016, the idea of rebuilding, restoring, and customizing classic Land Rovers had already manifested itself over many, many years. Jason Stoll, owner, operator, and chief builder at Rad Rovers, developed his love and passion for Land Rovers at just 16 years of age, when he and his Dad embarked on a 10-month, father-son project to restore a 1963 Land Rover series 2A. To say that he was instantly hooked is an understatement. A 3rd generation sailor by trade, Jason spent much of his adult life sailing around the world, while still restoring and rebuilding Land Rovers as a hobby in his spare time. Fast forward several years, and it was his passion for Land Rovers that led him to turn his hobby into a full-time career.

So why Land Rovers? The old Land Rovers were very basic. They were all mechanical with no sensors or computers until 1993. Many Land Rover enthusiasts called them "Weekend Warriors". They are super tough and hard to beat up and tear apart, no matter what you’re using them for. Land Rover series 2, 2A, and 3, built from 1958-1984, are preferred, and are by far the favorites to work on. Owner Jason Stoll is always on the hunt for rare models and/or particular parts that have become more and more difficult to source. Each custom build takes, on average, about one year to complete. The goal is to use as many of the original parts from the vehicle, but sometimes only about 10% of the original parts will be found in the final finished Land Rover.

Where possible, Rad Rovers prefers to hot-dip galvanize as many of the steel parts as possible. The frame/chassis, bench seat frames, and hood frames are always hot-dip galvanized. Why hot-dip galvanize? Owner Jason Stoll said, “I chose hot-dip galvanizing because I want the very best in longevity with all of my projects. You can’t hide with hot-dip galvanizing or mask imperfections like you can with other coatings. It’s truthful and honest. What you see is what you get.” Not only does the hot-dip galvanized coating offer superior corrosion and abrasion protection, but it adds a level of aesthetic appeal that pairs well with the many different designs and color schemes. The initial cost of hot dip-galvanizing is minimal which makes it an obvious first choice, but more importantly, the hot-dip galvanized coating offers decades of maintenance free enjoyment. The chassis is the backbone of the Land Rover. By providing a hot-dip galvanized coating, the estimated time-to-first-maintenance is expected to be 50-75 years.

All of the custom Rovers are given a name. In many instances, the name given to the Rover will coincide with a famous actor or actress from the Rover model year, unless they are built for a specific cause or organization. Whether it’s used for a radical off road adventure, a weekend getaway with the whole family, or simply a daily driver and overall work horse, Rad Rovers can do it! To this day, Jason still drives that 1963 Land Rover series 2A that he and his Dad restored so many decades ago. It’s a true testament to the passion, quality, and craftsmanship that Rad Rovers clients have come to expect and enjoy.