Descrizione
COMING SOON 1974 Range Rover Classic Suffix C
Location: York, England
Chassis: 35510288C
Engine: 3. 5 Carb V8
Transmission: Four-Speed Manual
Mileage: 6, 825 Miles
Colour: Bahama Gold | Black Cloth
Rright Hand Drive
History of the Range Rover
The late 1960’s saw the emergence of the recreational off-road market led Land Rover to come up with a radically new competitor to the Jeep Wagoneer and the Ford Bronco. Land Rover passed on this challenge to Charles Spencer King, under the project title of “The 100 inch Station Wagon”.
It all started when Rover bought a Bronco and noticed the coiled suspension, this boosted the luxury element as gave improved performance and comfort. He also noted the powerful Buick V8. However, Mr. King gave the Range Rover several unique capabilities, improved carburetors that still fed fuel at extreme angles and the infamous starter handle for emergencies.
It was launched in 1970 as “a car for all reasons”. The Range Rover was also the first permanent 4x4 to do over 100mph whilst having a towing capacity of 3. 5 metric tons, accommodation for five, hydraulic disc brakes to all wheels and the groundbreaking dual-range, permanent four-wheel drive gear box.
A four door version was introduced in 1981, with the two door version phased out in 1994, it was then named the ‘Classic’ to differentiate from the all new P38a Range Rover.
The Car
It’s with great pleasure that we have the opportunity to bring to market a 1974, fourth year production Suffix C Range Rover. Delivered new on 21st November 1974 as a UK Market Model. The current owner acquired the vehicle in September 2006. Since then it’s been sympathetically and passionately maintained, and received regular use. It’s with a heavy heart that the vendor decides, the time has come to pass on his stewardship to someone that can use and enjoy the vehicle as much as he has over the past 14 years. Very uniquely the vehicle has been in almost regular daily use for the past 12 to 13 years. It’s the first car his children remember and has been a central part of the family. Subsequently you will note that many of the improvements and modifications have been done, with a particular emphasis on practicality and usability. This is certainly one example where the Range Rover slogan, A Car For All Reasons, couldn’t be truer. The Bahama gold two-door, has carried out the school run, done the commute and even been seen navigating the multicultural streets of Brixton South West London, the colour is certainly fitting but possibly not the registration mark.
Previous to 2006 the vehicle was owned by Michael Banfield the pre-eminent classic and veteran vehicle collector. Mr Banfield devoted over five decades to the collection, preservation and promotion of historic road transport vehicles. The Bahama Gold Range Rover formed as a tender to the collection, transporting some of his motor vehicles during his ownership that spanned from1979 to 2006. After his death in 2013, Bonhams were appointed to disperse the collection. The auction took place at Banfield’s Iden Grange, Kent residence, featured over 1000 lots of Vectron, Edwardian and Vintage motor cars. The auction attracted worldwide interest with bidders spanning from across the Southern Hemisphere, Midwest America, Miami, Europe, Japan and even Hong Kong. The highlight of the sale was undoubtedly the 1922 AEC S Type, Open Top Double Deck Bus selling for £281, 500. Michael was a devote motor enthusiast, working single-handedly on every vehicle he owned. A truly charming part of this Range Rovers diverse history.
The Michael Banfield Collection - - details above
The history file is fortunate to contain service and repair invoices in Mr Banfield’s name from Specialised Vehicle Repair in Maidstone, along with a original V5C dating back to 1979. Every original MOT certificate dating back to 1986 is on file along with a selection of original windscreen tax discs.
Since the current owner purchase the Rover in 2006 he spent in excess of £37, 000, in preventative maintenance servicing and repairs. Notably Autofinishes, in York, have carried out the majority of work to the vehicle since 2010. Autofinishes are a NFU approved bodywork centre, the company happens to have been a Land Rover approved body centre back when the Range Rover Classic was new, subsequently Autofinshers have been able to supply a host of new old stock panels. The body shop believe some of their very last genuine two door panels in stock were used on this vehicle.
In summary this isn’t your usual unearthed and unused for decades Suffix Range Rover, rather a car that’s been defined by its owners and tells a winding tail. The next chapter is only around the corner and waiting to be written.
