Descripción
Rover Range Rover classic 3. 5L V8 - 20 December 1973.
The car has been in my possession since 2018, undergoing gradual restoration from a disassembled rusty condition. It has been exhibited twice at the NEC Classic Car Restoration Show: once in 2019 when it was mostly a shell, and again in 2025 when it was nearly finished and driven to the show.
This year (2025) marks the first occasion since 1995 that the car has been driven under its own power on the road. The initial long drive was to the NEC Classic Car Show, where it was exhibited. It is a proud achievement for a vehicle that has not been used for three decades to be deemed roadworthy once again.
The engine starts easily using a manual choke, making that notable v8 exhaust sound. Apart from the noisy gearbox the car drives very well and can easily keep up with modern car traffic speed, especially with the overdrive gear.
The restoration process has been extensive and time-consuming, involving numerous hours of labour and the expense of replacement parts. A detailed digital history file was started in 2018 (over 90 pages), documenting various completed tasks and relevant information. Below is a summary of the work accomplished.
The car has had extensive rust repairs to the body; inner/ outer sills replaced both sides, front inner wings, rear wheel arches and rear crossmember. All of the rubber body mounts have been replaced and the mounting brackets renewed. There are no ugly welded patch repairs on the body.
The chassis was cleaning and painted, the only rusty part was the rear crossmember which has been repaired with a new metal section (thicker metal than original). The under body and chassis have been painted (no under seal or tar). The under body could benefit from being wax oiled.
The car has had fitted new suspension springs, shocks, bushes, wheel bearing, brakes, callipers, brake lines, master cylinder, clutch and clutch hydraulics. New exhaust, fuel tank, fuel sender, fuel pipes, filter housing, new towbar (not used).
All coolant and brake rubber hoses have been replaced with new components.
The front swivels have been replaced, and new seals and bearings have been installed. Additionally, all the steering arm joints have been renewed.
The power steering pump has been resealed, new headlights, new aluminium radiator, new starter motor, viscous fan, battery, new plugs, leads and electronic ignition, new ignition lock and two sets of keys (ignition, door, boot and fuel cap).
The Stromberg carburettors were rebuilt with a service pack. The engine, from a Range Rover Classic (9. 35CR c81-85), was rebuilt by Regal Engines in 2010, used for a few years, then stored until I bought it in 2020. I replaced the crank seals, valley gasket, front timing cover gasket, timing gear, and exhaust gaskets. The camshaft showed no lobe wear.
The engine starts very well and sounds lovely – no ticking tappets.
The seats and carpets inside do not match exactly, but they are acceptable. In the last few weeks the car has had a new headlining fitted (fibreglass) and working interior lights. The door cards have been replaced and do look quite nice (last summer craft project with my daughter).
Its taken quite a long time to source many of the parts on this car such as; the range rover stamped key, fuel cap, mirrors and Trico wipers, steering wheel, badges and many other bits that seem simple but are not easy to find. I have searched many autojumbles over the years to find the parts needed. I added a period Kenlow fan. It's not necessary but looks nice and fills an ugly hole in the dashboard.
I fitted a 12v socket and USB charger in the centre console, I think they look tasteful and blend well with the other switches/ dials. They come in handy for phone charging.
I fitted a new aluminium upper tailgate and sourced a non-rusty lower tailgate with flip out numberplate. Bad bits:
• The body work and paint is far from perfect.
• Quarter lights rubber is old and cracked.
• The LT95 gearbox is not exactly quiet at the best of times, however this gearbox has bearing noise in gears 1, 2, 3. synchromesh is OK and 4th gear and overdrive are quiet.
• The gearbox is noisy in lower gears but works fine, and the car drives well – I drive it regularly.
• Oil pressure gauge works intermittently and the clock loses time.
• The current wheels are not Rostyle wheels – Rostyle wheel rims are included and can be fitted.
• Probably a few other minor ailments
The reason for selling is that I have several other classic cars requiring attention. After nearly 7 years of ownership, this car has undergone significant improvements, and the next owner will have the opportunity to enhance it further.
The car comes with a digital history file, heritage certificate, handbook, rostyle rims and a fairy overdrive tailgate sticker for the new owner to fit.
Happy to answer sensible questions. Car is located in Telford not far from M54 junction 7.
