Description
This 1988 Range Rover Classic (RRC) started as a project in 2022. I bought it for myself due to the unique specification that it had as a Vogue SE, with the leather seats, factory air conditioning and a factory sunroof. It is believed that only 15 models were built in 1988 in RHD with this specification. It has the older interior from the start of the four door models up until the change in 1989, and has the mechanical centre differential lock. Prior to me it had 13 previous owners on the V5. Despite that, I saw the potential that the car had, and decided to purchase it and restore it fully to enjoy in my retirement.
I gave the brief to a well respected and renowned Land Rover specialist, whom have worked on my previous two RRC’s, and for a period of two and a half years the car underwent a full restoration from the stripping of the top half of the engine, vapour blasting, and completely rebuilding the top end with the addition of a performance camshaft for added power. The air conditioning system was also modernised and new blower fans installed.
Every panel of the body was inspected for rust and any area of rust was cut out and new metal welded in. It then underwent a body on full primer and respray in the original colour of Caspian Blue.
The chassis of the car is solid, and it underwent a full Dinitrol treatment (including cavities) to keep it that way.
The suspension is completely new (springs, Bilstein shocks and bushes). It has new brakes, and also a new period correct exhaust. The car also has new bumpers.
The interior also had a revamp. The wood panels were professionally refurbished, the headliner was replaced, the carpets steam cleaned, the leather seats cleaned and the leather treated. A new stereo head unit was installed as were new speakers in the rear of the car. In addition, the car also has a new tailgate.
The headlamps and tail lights were replaced, and we added a new vertical grille to complement the look.
All the fluids were replaced. The car has all new coolant hoses, and belts. After the engine work, the car was driven several hundred miles to bed everything in, and the cylinder head bolts re-tightened and an oil and filter change completed. After that I drove the car on a 500 mile test run, and we ironed the balance of the issues from the almost 1000 miles of testing.
The car as you can see from the pictures turned out stunning, and that includes the driving experience.
Overall the cost of the restoration work was in the tens of thousands of Pounds. What you have now is a RRC that is in absolutely pristine condition and a specification that you will not find readily available in RHD.
The reason for selling the car is that family circumstance is moving me out of the UK to a country where I cannot import the car, as RHD vehicles are not permitted where I am moving to.
Pictures of the restoration from start to finish are available to view separately, as is the invoice detailing the restoration and the cost.
To the right person, this is an incredible RRC that is fairly priced for the work and the cost that has been put into it, to get it to the A1 condition that it is in.
