Beschreibung
As a child in the 70’s my aunt drove up to my house in the most amazing car I had ever seen. It was the new Range Rover, a step change in car design. It took me another 48 years to finally own one.
My car, a 1972 “Suffix A”, started life in Lincoln (welly boot) Green with the standard 3. 5 litre engine and 4 speed manual gearbox. However it has had a number of upgrades since then. These changes make it a more modern usable vehicle.
The paintwork is now Beluga Black, a shade first seen on the 1991 CSK limited edition model. This bodywork is in excellent condition – better than any classic Range Rover that you are likely to find. The wheels are actual refurbished CSK wheels with the larger 235 width tyres.
Under the bonnet is a 4. 6 litre Rover engine which has been rebuilt with “Top Hat” strengthening by V8 Developments of Spalding, Lincs. This engine has only done about 2000 miles since rebuild, and has recently been serviced. The inlets have been ported and are fed by an Edelbrock carburettor. Ignition is via a 123 Electronic distributor. The exhaust is a bespoke stainless steel unit.
Behind the engine sits a 4 speed automatic, as fitted to later classic Range Rovers. This gearbox came from a 1990 donor vehicle and has also been recently refurbished by Ashcroft.
The original chassis was zinc galvanized in 2000. It rides on slightly lower height springs with front and rear roll bars, new Britpart gas shock absorbers, and uprated brakes. A set of standard springs is included in the sale should the purchaser prefer the original higher more compliant ride.
Inside, the dashboard and centre console come from the 1990 donor car. (Note therefore that the mileage is not accurate as the speedo came from the donor). The seats were retrimmed by famous coachbuilder Wood & Pickett in 2002. The interior was re-carpeted in 2020. When the car was MOT’d in October 2021 it was discovered that the floor below the carpet was actually unsafe. It has since been rebuilt to a very high standard. Pictures are available.
In my ownership I have also installed a classic Range Rover wheel cover and parcel shelf, a Range Rover CSK steering wheel, and a plenum intake from RPI engineering in Norfolk which improves low end torque. I have fitted new seals to improve weatherproofing, a new headlight switch, new rear wiper, a choke cable and a quieter rear silencer.
The car retains some lovely Series A features such as the dual door handles that allow front or rear passengers to open the doors. It has the sliding windows only seen on two door cars. Quaint twin wing mirrors are found on the bonnet. And the number plate swings down so that you can drive with the tailgate open.
Really this is a one-of-a-kind vehicle which possesses a kind of uber-cool in today’s roads. The high seating position and deep windows make it easy to drive – perfect for city driving (it is ULEZ exempt) or for seeing over hedges on country lanes.
I am selling the car because I have a new Mustang on order and no space left. Please contact me for further photographs and details about this unique car.
