Description
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4x4 LTD, Land Rover® 90 Ragtop in Rioja Red (1999).
300TDI. MOT until 23rd April 2026. One of 150 Factory Built (& only one of 50 in this colour) 300TDI 50th Anniversary 90s. 146, 000 miles.
Here we have for sale a beautifully presented and extremely rare Land Rover® 90.
First built in 1948, Land Rover® celebrated its 50th Birthday in 1998 and commemorated this with a range of 50th Anniversary Special Vehicles. In the 90 model, this was most notably commemorated with the automatic V8, and these vehicles are sought after today and have fantastic residual values due to demand. What is not so widely known about is that a sister vehicle was also produced alongside the V8, and assembled in the same manner, at the factory.
This run of 150 vehicles was believed to be the final run of the highly acclaimed, non computerised, 300TDI 5 speed manual 90. There were 50 vehicles made in each of 3 colours and they were all manufactured with the following specification – The A Bar, Land Rover® spots, chequer plate on wings and sills, rear plaque, alloy gear knob, window winders and grey tornado alloys were all part of the 50th pack. They were all supplied as hard-top style 90s.
This 300TDI 50th Anniversary was supplied originally in this very colour, Rioja Red & as a hard top Land Rover®.
What we see here then is a rare vehicle, supplied with the original and highly acclaimed 300TDI unit, coupled to a 5 speed gearbox. Externally, all those specific factory fitment extras are proudly displayed and it is clear to any discerning buyer that the bodywork is in good order too.
On the inside, there are three front Highback seats, with the middle being a “jump seat”. The original floor mats are fitted. There is a stereo and speakers with both Bluetooth & USB connectivity & the ability to take calls , which is very welcome. The rear houses twin bench seats, bringing seating to seven occupants including the driver – so the whole family can come along.
What sets these 90s apart through is the driving experience – you flick the key and the engine fires up instantly with a pleasing exhaust note from which you can hear the faint whine of the turbocharger. It immediately makes one want to press the throttle to enjoy the tone… it is more like a high powered petrol sound than a 30 year old diesel!
You engage gear, but notice that the clutch pedal is light, and not what you have gotten used to in an old Land Rover®. If you are nervous about driving an old Land Rover® and the weight of the controls, this would be the vehicle to choose.
With the 5 speed gearbox, the lever shifts into first with a smooth and slick single movement…. you head off down the road, urged to drive more quickly than you have for a while as the super fit 300TDI engine hurls you up to the speed limit faster than you’d ever imagine possible in a pre-millennium diesel Land Rover®.
The exhaust is singing, as is the stereo as you cruise along with the window down even though it is the middle of winter, because the heater is kicking out plumes of hot air into the cabin. It is not cold in here, – In fact, it is lovely. It is exciting. It is a joy.
You come to a roundabout, ready to press the brake pedal hard – as you rest your foot on the pedal, the vehicle is already trying to do an emergency stop – pulling up straight and true and giving the driver added confidence to drive this vehicle as it feels it wants to be driven.
You decide to join the motorway to see how it feels on the open road – on the slip road, the turbo urges you towards the speed limit and as you undertake the dual carriageway, you notice that 70 has already been reached with ease. It is then you realise that you could cruise this vehicle either to London or Edinburgh. As you perform an overtake at 70mph, you notice that the smaller steering wheel is really direct and gives great confidence.
You were expecting to chase this Land Rover® around the road, but you aren’t – it feels more like a Lotus than a Land Rover® – and you have to check your speed to make sure you are staying within the confines of the law.
You glance down and notice that all the dials work too…. they are all nicely illuminated too and the temp gauge never wavers despite what you put the vehicle through. You don’t want to end the test drive, and you don’t want to get out of the car either. You want to let everyone else have a drive in it to get rid of any myths about a Classic Land Rover® being bad to drive. You want them to experience what it is like to drive a little monster truck Land Rover® when someone has built it and set it up with love and care. You actually don’t want to sell it…. you want to take it home but you know that you already have a Land Rover®!
It is then you compare it to your Land Rover® and realise it is actually far superior. SOMEONE is going to own this soon – and experience all the above too.
In summary, if you love the look of this vehicle as much as we do and are looking for a 90 to drive and enjoy, whilst ensuring that your money is well invested then this 50th Anniversary 300TDI special, is somewhat of a no brainer.
There are 90s out there that will be for sale at three to five times the price of this which don’t look this good, and feel no better behind the wheel. They may also not be a Factory Special Edition and when you buy them, your premium will diminish when you drive it away. Not in this case. You are owning a fantastic piece of Land Rover® history that you can still enjoy. Keep it nice, and who knows what it’ll be worth in another 20 years, but who cares anyway because all you want is a great looking Land Rover® 90 that drives fantastically well and is going to be a joy to own and run.
After all, you don’t need a laptop to keep it going…. just a few spanners and a Sunday afternoon! We appreciate that we’ve written a novel about this car, but we really did think it necessary so that the lucky new owner can fully appreciate just what a fantastic opportunity this is.
RESERVED
