A Tribute to Roamerdrive
The People Behind Roamerdrive: Ray Wood and Robyn Wenner
From Africa to Canada – A Lifetime with Land Rovers
Ray Wood’s love for Land Rovers began in South Africa, where he grew up driving these legendary vehicles. His passion for exploration took him across four continents, including Europe, Australia, Africa, and North America, where he put his Land Rovers through some of the harshest terrains imaginable.
In 1973, Ray moved to Canada, where he purchased his first Land Rover – a red 1958 Series II. It wasn’t long before he recognized a significant limitation: the lack of an overdrive for long-distance travel. While there were existing solutions, they suffered from reliability issues, often wearing out after 20,000–30,000 miles.
Determined to find a better way, Ray designed a more durable and efficient overdrive, pioneering what would eventually become Roamerdrive. Alongside Ray every step of the way was Robyn, bringing the Roamerdrive business, operations, expeditions and adventures to life. Together they have travelled the globe and left a legacy in their wake.
Revolutionizing Land Rover Overdrives
The Birth of Roamerdrive
In the 1990s, Ray and Robyn officially introduced Roamerdrive to the world. Designed to be robust, quiet, and easy to install, it quickly became the go-to overdrive solution for Land Rover Series and Defender owners. Unlike its predecessors, Roamerdrive used a precision-engineered planetary gear system, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with the vehicle’s transfer case oil supply, eliminating common lubrication issues seen in older designs.
The overdrive provided a 28% reduction in engine RPM, making long-distance driving quieter and more fuel-efficient. For off-roaders, it acted as a gear splitter, giving drivers more control when tackling steep climbs and rough terrain.
Over the years, thousands of Roamerdrive units were installed in Land Rovers worldwide, earning a reputation for unmatched durability and reliability.
Roamerdrive in Action
The Greatest Land Rover Adventures
Throughout their life, Ray and Robyn took Land Rovers – and Roamerdrives – on extraordinary adventures, proving their durability in real-world conditions. Some of their most notable journeys include:
- Traversing the remote Australian Outback, where heat and rugged terrain pushed vehicles to their limits.
- Expeditions across Africa, where they relied on Roamerdrive to navigate endless stretches of road with fuel efficiency and reduced engine strain.
- Road trips through Europe and North America, testing the overdrive’s performance on highways and mountain roads alike.
Ray didn’t just design Roamerdrive; he and Robyn lived it, proving its reliability through first-hand experience in some of the world’s toughest conditions.
Books authored by Ray Wood
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Stalking Geraldine
Shop on AmazonA valuable Land Rover disappears - and with it, Sarah Oakes - the enigmatic woman behind the wheel. Freelance journalist Giles Jackson is given the assignment of a lifetime: fi nd the 42-year old Land Rover named Geraldine and purchase the vehicle in time for an exhibit at the Detroit Motor Show. ...
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Roamerdrive and Garage Therapy: Continuing the Legacy
In 2025, Garage Therapy proudly acquired Roamerdrive, ensuring that its legacy continues for future generations of Land Rover enthusiasts. We remain committed to preserving and expanding on Ray Wood’s vision by:
- Continuing production of the tried-and-tested Roamerdrive overdrives.
- Expanding the product line to include overdrives for V8 models, such as the LT95 gearbox used in Range Rover Classic and 101 Forward Control vehicles.
- Supporting the global Land Rover community by providing high-quality drivetrain solutions built for adventure.
As we move forward, we honor the ingenuity, passion, and pioneering spirit of Ray Wood and Roamerdrive. His legacy will always be at the heart of what we do.