This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, Supercar Fest Sale of Iconic and Classic Cars 2024 on Saturday the 18th of May, Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN. The car presented here is 1980 Suffix G Range Rover that was delivered new to South Africa, being assembled at the Leyland Blackheath plant, outside of Cape Town prior to being sold by Eloff Leyland to Mr C. F De Langue of Florida Panel Beaters in Johannesburg, bearing the registration number CVL 767T. Today, remarkably, it’s still accompanied by its original logbook, in the name of Mr De Langue, the original owner’s manual and sales brochure, plus historical service records (with all ten 5, 000km service intervals stamped up to the last available page at 50, 000km). The logbook (and an inspection) confirms it as a matching numbers example. It has now been imported into the UK and registered as KVO 975V; obviously, being a historical vehicle, it is tax and MOT exempt, but nevertheless, our vendor fastidiously obtained an advisory-free MOT in December 2023 for provenance and peace of mind.
After driving KVO regularly for 6 months, he commissioned a comprehensive programme of work, costing £15, 000+, including a colour change from the original Burnt Orange to Bahama Gold. The restoration process has been photographically and financially documented and all the receipts are available. The vehicle was fully stripped back to the shell and pleasingly, the chassis appeared to be in perfect condition and required no welding. The chassis and frame were then prepared, rust-proofed, primed and re-painted. At considerable cost, a full set of new rubber seals were purchased and fitted all around (windscreen, windows, doors, tailgate), as well as new quarter-light frames, rear light and front side light clusters, door mirrors and petrol cap. The vehicle’s interior was then sound-proofed using Dodo Mat insulation and the vehicle was professionally resprayed in Bahama Gold (LRC 235) using 2K paint.
The interior has been completely replaced with all new parts imported including herringbone cloth seat covers all round, a full set of bronze carpets, Palomino door cards, arm rests, rear panels, B and C pillar trims, front footwell side trims and the Hardura spare wheel and tool-roll covers. The original dash top was badly cracked, so a replacement dash top in perfect condition was purchased from Suffix Matters costing £575.
A new headlining was sourced locally, and the interior now presents in as new condition. A CD/ radio is fitted in the correct place and correctly wired. The vendor has not fitted speakers in the new door cards, preferring to appreciate the hum of the V8. Being a South Africa-assembled vehicle, this example comes with working, factory-fitted AC.
Mechanically, the vehicle has always been kept in excellent running condition, with maintenance records dating from 1980-1983 and from 2014-2024. The car has been fully serviced, the twin Stromberg carburettors have been professionally rebuilt and a new starter motor, battery, brake master cylinder, and a reconditioned alternator have been installed.
The engine runs beautifully, the gearbox is as precise as it can be for a Range Rover Classic, and the brakes and clutch operate perfectly. The vehicle has been exclusively garaged by the vendor at his homes in Cape Town and the UK, and is now offered for sale in exceptional, turn-key condition.