﹒Only 99k KM from new ﹒Full bare metal respray and dry stored since ﹒New carpets and headlining ﹒Ready to be recommissioned and enjoyed
The Background
Whatever your opinion on the proliferation of SUV’s on UK roads, there’s no question who is the Granddaddy of them all: the original Range Rover. In production from 1970 all the way through to 1996, the Range Rover defined the luxury SUV in the same way that nearby neighbours Black Sabbath defined heavy metal. But for a template that has achieved such ubiquity in recent years, its genesis was quite prolonged: the original concept for a larger, more comfortable Land Rover was conceived back in 1951 and developed by Gordon Bashford up until 1958. Then christened the ‘Road Rover’ the idea was shelved until 1966 when it was reincarnated by engineers Spen King and Bashford, and ultimately, we can all agree, given a better name.
The name was not revealed immediately however: in fact the name used on the prototypes was ‘Velar’ from the Italian ‘Velare’ meaning to veil or conceal in order to keep the project under wraps. (The name was of course reused more recently on the slinky medium sized Range Rover, presumably in reference to its door handles.) The impetus to pursue the idea further came partly from the US, where the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wagoneer had started to demonstrate that there was a market for a vehicle that could combine off-road abilities with everyday usability. That said, the Range Rover brief of being suitable for a farmer to use for work and also take to town went easy on the luxury side of things and resulted in an interior which could be hosed out on the early version. This approach to interior valeting is not recommended on the more modern incarnations.
Launched in 1970 and billed as ‘a car for all reasons’ the Range Rover looked to the US for its drivetrain inspiration also, sporting as it did the Buick-derived Rover 3.5 litre V8 engine. The transmission was unique though, with permanent 4 wheel drive and a 4 speed manual gearbox with a lever for switching ratios in the transfer box for off-road use. The bodywork was largely defined by the engineers who built functional panels to allow the prototypes to be driven on the road and the styling department simply added a new front panel and tinkered with a few details. Overall, the Range Rover succeeded in its aim to be as happy on the road as it was off it and was also lauded as an exemplary work of industrial design with a display in the Louvre in Paris.
Later developments included a 4 door body-shell, carpets and ultimately a complete redesign of the interior. But the most prized versions remain those with the 2-door shell and the original dashboard design.
This particular Arctic White example was built in 1979 for the Dutch market and was bought and registered in 1981 by a doctor. The build sheet shows that it has Palamino trim with head restraints and Ambla seat trim and the sought-after power steering option. It is believed (though has not been formally verified) that the vehicle remained in his ownership until being acquired by a restorer based in Tilburg from whom the current owner purchased it in 2015 to add to his collection. Then named ‘Victoria’ in honour of its forebear ‘Albert’ (another classic Range Rover) it was treated to a bare-metal respray in the original colour, new headlining and carpet as well as a mechanical refresh. Since then it has been dry stored and recently exported to the UK.
Now a loss of garage space means that the seller is having to reduce the size of his collection and with some sadness he has decided to let someone else enjoy the classic Range Rover ownership experience.
The documentation is brief but includes the build sheet, original owner’s document and Dutch handbook, together with the export documents that are required to register the car outside Holland.
Climbing aboard, the iconic commanding driving position that defines the breed allows you to survey the world from on high and visibility is excellent through the large glasshouse. Covering as they do a vast expanse, the new carpets and headlining really lift the interior and overall it presents very well with the upholstery all in good condition save for a small tear on the driver’s seat base and another in one of the rear headrests. The carpet sections at the side of each footwell were missing for the photo shoot but have since been located and will be straightforward to re-install. As it is the original design, the dash is functional and rugged and shows only a couple of holes from what is likely to have been a mobile phone mount. The original radio is absent and unfortunately the replacement sourced by the owner is 2 quarantines away from the UK but may be available by separate negotiation.
The fitment by the restorer of very white LED bulbs in the overhead lights grates a little but can be easily rectified and the cover refitted to the front light at the same time. In the boot the original toolkit is all there together with a spare wheel with plenty of tread. The door cards are both in good condition though the speaker cover is missing from the passenger side but their distinctive feature of a separate door handle for rear seat passengers is present and correct.
As you would expect following a respray, the bodywork is in fabulous condition. The look apes that of the early cars by eschewing the black vinyl covering on the C pillars and opting for the forward-mounted wing mirrors. The wheels benefit from a full refurb and all wear tyres with good tread depth. There is a substantial tow bar whose level of usage is unknown and looks to be more than up to the job. The restorer reported that the chassis was all solid. There are a couple of minor cosmetic issues: the sill trim on the passenger side is broken just ahead of the rear wheel and the passenger side window trim, while watertight, does show some rippling. The top half of the split tailgate can be a little stiff to open and close, though that may just be down to lack of use, and the rear wiper is missing. Overall though, it’s in great condition and will surely make its new owner feel proud.
The engine and running gear are all thought to be standard and were judged to be in good order when the restoration work was carried out. The engine bay is therefore very original with only a modern battery showing evidence of recent work. The car starts first time and revs keenly although does have some belt whine. However, it has been stored for the last 4 years and would therefore benefit from a recommissioning service before being used in anger.
2 door Range Rovers passed into the realms of classic car royalty some time ago, with Octane magazine declaring them “the year’s most collectable classic” as far back as 2016. Values have been rising steadily and with those of us who remember being driven in them in our childhood increasingly wanting to relive the experience, they look set to continue on their upward trajectory.
This example, being left hand drive, obviously presents a slightly different opportunity to the cars that we typically see for sale in the UK. Whilst attending European classic car events isn’t so much a thing in 2020, the scene will surely return and how better to travel on European roads than with the steering wheel on the correct side? Furthermore, when the time comes to find its next home, there is a vibrant market for classic Range Rovers across Europe and into the Middle East.
In the meantime, there’s time to register it in the UK, get it just so and enjoy it in the British countryside. And after all, when you’re off road, it doesn’t matter which side the steering wheel is on!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
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1979 LHD Range Rover 2 door
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