Description
The Original SUV - luxury didn’t come much more rugged than this! Back in the seventies, there wasn’t a cooler “green laning” car than a Rangie and anybody who was somebody, had one. The now Classic Range Rover 4x4 series was produced from 1970 to 1996 by British Leyland. The first-generation Range Rovers were only built with two doors and it was 11 years later that the 4-door model became available. At that time, Land Rover branded the first-generation Range Rover as the “Range Rover Classic”, which it is still affectionally called today. Its story is a fascinating one indeed.
Who would have thought that Land Rover would’ve designed such a good-looking car and so comfortable in the early 70’s. When they started out in 1948, it was only cheap and simple designs, manufactured specifically for a vehicle to work hard and take on rural terrain with minimal concessions toward comfort. Rover acknowledged that the emerging market for off-road recreational vehicles were in demand and they had to compete with the Bronco featuring long travel coil springs, all for comfort. In 1967, under Charles Spencer King, Rover began the 100-inch station wagon programme and developed this radical competitor. Rover used the coil springs and permanent four-wheel drive systems for adequate handling and reliability to absorb the power and be competitive.
This was a car for all seasons, boasting a top speed of around 160km/ h, towing capacity of 3. 5 tons, spacious enough for 5 passengers, hydraulic disc brakes all-round and ground-breaking 4-speed permanent four-wheel drive. It appeared that Rover arguably made the better all-round four-wheel drive vehicle of its era. The performance was stated as better than most family saloon cars. Off-road performance did well too, with adequate ground clearance and owing to its long suspension travel -which was proven with various notable off-road feats including winning the four-wheel drive class in the first Pari-Dakar Rally in 1979 and 1981.
Like many other Land Rovers, the body was made of lightweight aluminium except for the tailgate and the bonnet. For many decades, there were only minor cosmetic changes - proving once again how the design team nailed it first time. The motor went on to become one of the world’s most notable engines, the 3, 5lt Rover V8 which was a gem of heart!
And now onto our Q-Car:
This was a one-owner vehicle bought as a retirement holiday vehicle. We purchased the Rangie from an elderly lady whose husband had sadly passed away. She could no longer drive vehicles with gears and as a result, sold her Rangie. With mileage of only 123000km, we knew this was the perfect basis for a proper build. We sent the Rangie off to a very well-known and respected Land Rover Builder who had built many Defenders for us in the past. The instructions were clear from the on-set - we want a perfect nut and bolt restoration, with no expense spared that must be completed true to original in every single little detail to rival the best builds coming out of the UK.
And so, it began. This this was a true body-off, nut and bolt resto. People can claim nut and bolt - we have the invoices to show every nut and bolt!!! Every single part was replaced new or refurbed to new and nothing was left unturned. Parts were airfreighted in from all over the world where the best true original ones could be sourced. If it wasn’t to spec, more were ordered until we were happy. Our Rangie was built in tandem with the owner of the shop’s 2-Door Classic Rangie, which has since been placed in his private collection of around 20 Land Rovers. He personally flew to see the well-known builders in the UK, which included the coveted Jaguar Land Rover Classic Restoration Works Facility. A dream team was assembled inhouse for this 2-car project, overseen by the owner who was actively involved. After only 4 months, both cars were completed. Yes, you read correctly - 4 months. Perfect! Perfect Range Rovers were completed! Then the testing began. Completely rebuild motors and engines needed running in. A 1000km’s later (only on dry tar roads) all small snags were rectified. Delivery to us was inside of 5 months. We have restored so many cars, many nut and bolt, but nothing has come close to this level, nothing!
A dream build and of such concourse winning exacting standards that it’s a special occasion whenever behind the wheel.
If you would like to see the full extent of the build pics, please get in touch with us directly.
This vehicle will be shipped to the UK within the next few weeks. If you would like to take advantage of the sale prior to an Auction Sale, please contact us now! Our price is landed in the UK, duties paid with a fresh MOT.
Orders for the next builds are now open as we have 10 more 2-door classic Rangie’s all lined up and ready to go.
