Synonymous the world over, Discovery is one of the most capable SUVs. Produced by the best in the business, Land Rover, the discovery has gone on to have five generations and become a very popular luxury SUV. All of this success had to start somewhere of course and that was with the 1st generation.
This 1st generation example has been looked after remarkably well, with a huge service history, rust repairs, and only very light off-roading. If you are after an un-modified example of an early Discovery, then this one should be at the top of your list that’s for sure.
The first owner of this Disco treasured it dearly, using it as their daily commuter into Manchester for some twenty-plus years. It is believed that they never took it off-road during their ownership, the second owners cherished him and used him sparingly, but also with some light-off-roading, and he was mostly always garaged.
During the ownership they saw to some structural rust issues, this was undertaken by the specialists Froggatt’s in Macclesfield, under the current ownership Kermit, as he has been christened, has had some work on the interior. The classic saggy headlining was replaced in October last year, the driver seat was worn, both the fabric and the support, so a new seat diaphragm is fitted, and repairs were made to the original seat by The Seat Repair Guy near Middlesbrough.
Kermit has lived outside for over a year now and is said to suffer no water ingress.
The original Land Rover radio/cassette head unit for a Pioneer SPH-20BT is present and includes a handy integral phone mount. The original front door speakers have been replaced, due to the paper cones disintegrating. There is also a full set of seat covers included and Kermit still has lovely original looking rubber Discovery mats for the footwells and also the rear load bay. The current owner has had a recent amount of expenditure to get it through the last MOT, this includes new rear brakes, one new headlamp, a new driver’s door lock and mechanism, new front shock absorbers as well as a service.
It is now your time to add to this car’s illustrious history
Back in the 1990s SUVs were a fledging slice of the market so their interiors may not seem ground-breaking today, but when it launched the Discovery’s interior was near revolutionary. Designed as more of an accessory it was filled with creature comforts that were rare to find in a big, 4x4.
One of these features were the large and comfortable seats. These seats offer a good commanding view over the world below you. Over the years they had deteriorated through use, but the current owner saw to this with some repair work. They now look as good as new from front to back.
It is not only the seats that appear to be in good condition, underneath the large rubber over mats the light grey carpet has stood the test of time very well. If you look hard, you may find a few areas that aren’t like new, but just remember that this truck is approaching 30 years old.
If you have ever owned a Solihull product, you will be accustomed to the notorious saggy headliner. This happens as the glue loses its hold over the years causing it to droop and look more like a tent than a headliner. Luckily, this time consuming job has been carried out already, making it even more appealing.
One key point of an early Discovery is the number of windows. From the normal side windows to the now iconic Alpine windows that are the top of the boot section, and also the twin sunroofs. Combined these windows let in tons of light making the interior feel larger than it actually is. It is reported that the twin sunroofs do not leak, this can sometimes be an Achilles heel of the older type Discovery’s.
As the interior was gracefully aging it was decided to update the stereo. The original cassette player/radio may have been replaced by a modern Pioneer setup, but it can still be found in the boot. Another extra that will be included in the sale is a set of rear cabin speakers. From the factory, whether or not your specified rear speakers, the cabling was included in the wiring loom. This means that you can easily cut some holes and put in the accompanying speakers. If you do some more research, you may find other extras that you can put in during your ownership.
Overall, the interior of this Discovery is presented very well for sale that’s for sure. With nearly 160,000 miles on the clock, you might expect some areas to look a bit worn, but these are few and far between within this interior. From the driver’s seat, you will be able to create many happy motoring memories long into the future with this great example.
When the Discovery launched in 1989 its design was so eye catching it would influence its younger brother the Discovery 2. This variant has one very different feature than the Discovery 2, it has 3-doors, much like the first generation Range Rover. If you know a thing or two about 3-door Land Rover products, you’ll know that they’re always more sort after than their 5-door counterparts making it a good collector item.
The exterior of Kermit is in great condition indeed. You may see a few Discovery’s of this age on the road, but they can be rough around the edges with some, erm, tasteful, modifications. Kermit on the other hand is said to be presented with all original paint, and even the original windscreen, a small but interesting detail. There is some delamination around the corners, but this is expected with a windscreen of this age.
One place that is vital to check with one of these older Land Rovers is underneath. Some are known to have more holes than Swiss cheese. But the underside of Kermit looks pretty clean and solid, there are a few photos of underneath so you can have a look and make up your own mind.
Presented in totally original, unmodified condition Kermit should be at the top of your shopping list. With no nasty additions, he is a perfect blank canvas for whatever you wish to do. With the added appeal of being a three-door, it may be best to keep him original and watch him become more desirable.
If you like your big turbo diesels, then this Discovery is definitely for you. Under the large bonnet, you will find the much loved 300 Tdi engine, or to translate, a 2.5l turbo diesel engine that’ll provide some nice torque.
It may seem a little agricultural at first, but you will soon become used to Kermit’s mechanical charm as he is capable of pretty much any task you can throw at him. It is said that in comparison to a modern car he feels a little sluggish, but once you have adapted to the way he drives then it’ll be fine. Who wants to be in a rush anyway, life is all about the journey to your destination, not how quickly you get there. If you do wish for a little more oomph, however, there will be a ‘boost pin’ included with the sale.
You can see from the paperwork that comes with him, and the thoroughly stamped service book, that Kermit has been well looked after by the previous owners. The current owner has also had some work carried out to get it through the MOT, and the front tyres have also been recently replaced.
Kermit should be a great addition to your driveway that’s for sure. If the exterior and interior condition have grabbed your attention enough then his original, un-modified, drivetrain sure should.
Kermit is a one of a kind find. His lack of modification, clean interior, huge service history, and 3-door configuration makes for a great example that is for sure.
Whatever you wish to do with this 4x4 next, you should be rest assured that this example is possibly one of the best out there today. As we mentioned 3-door Solihull products appear to be the more sort after variants so you could even be looking at a good investment opportunity.
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1994 Land Rover Discovery 1 300 TDI
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