Description
This is a rare opportunity to purchase a unique Range Rover. This is the Monteverdi 'Design Study'. The vehicle was one of the very first factory 4-door models, being registered to the factory on the 1st April 1981. The 4-door Range Rover wasn't officially launched until June 1981. It was immedietely delivered to Monteverdi in Switzerland where it was given a full makeover.
It received many external improvements including a bespoke metal horizontal grill, metal side mouldings, quad headlamps, a rear dust cover on the rear bumper, bespoke bumpers front and rear, Monteverdi badging, satin black D-posts and it was one of the very first vehicles to wear the 3-spoke alloy wheels (Tubed of course!).
The interior improvements included a full leather interior, electric windows, electric mirrors, central locking, pull down sunshades, a bespoke cubby box, a side-to-side rear load cover and a bespoke headlining which encompassed aircraft style interior lights with map reading lights.
Essentially, this vehicle paved the way for the later, upmarket 4-door Vogue models with many of the features fitted by Monteverdi taking a number of years to reach production!
The vehicle left the factory with air conditioning fitted, and some of the installation remains (in dash vents, working controller and blowers). The under bonnet components - except the working grill fans - were removed prior to my ownership. I have been unable to source a suitable AC radiator as the piping was changed.
The vehicle is fitted with 5 Goodyear Wrangler tyres with inner tubes, as the early alloy wheels did not support tubeless tyres. The original steering box was rebuilt to remove a fluid leak. The brake disks, brake pads and calipers were all replaced along with the vehicle springs and shock absorbers. It now drives and handles as a Range Rover should. The original Boge self levelling unit is still fitted and operational.
The original vehicle registration was lost in 1984, but after a number of discussions with DVLA, I was successful in having the original plates restored. The vehicle now proudly wears the correct factory plates.
I purchased the vehicle in February 2022 and although it was in a very sorry state, it was basically complete, with most of the rare Monteverdi additions still being present. It required new inner and outer sills, rear arches, rear floors, a new rear crossmember and 2 new inner wings. All 10 body to chassis bushes were also replaced. The vehicle left the factory as a left hand drive, Sahara Dust vehicle, but when it was returned from Switzerland it was painted the metallic silver colour you see today. Once returned to the UK in August 1981, it was registered to Roland Maturi. Whilst still under Land Rover ownership it was also factory converted to right hand drive (this was believed to be in 1983 as per the wiring loom date stamp!).
As is well documented, Monteverdi converted approximately 167 2-door Range Rovers to 4-door models; but this was the only factory 4-door to receive the Monteverdi treatment.
The vehicle retains its original V8 engine, the 4 speed LT95 gearbox and its original axles. The vehicle has only covered 21, 871 miles from new!
I have a massive file containing all the photographs of the restoration and recommissioning, along with copies of magazine articles and references to the vehicle in Peter Monteverdi's autobiography.
Prior to the vehicles first major outing from Blackpool to the "55 years of Range Rover" event at Gaydon, I had the vehicle professionally inspected for safety and roadworthiness. From Gaydon the vehicle was driven into Devon for a week's holiday, then driven back to Blackpool. A round trip of just over 1000 miles - without any issues! The vehicle is totally rot free and completely solid.
The vehicle is now a perfectly useable, rare, dependable classic which turns heads wherever it goes.
