Highlights
- Thousands spent on restoration by specialists "Absolute Land Rovers"
- Extremely well presented
- Desirable 3.9 litre V8 variant
- Electrically operated windows and sunroof
- Wonderful interior believed to be original
- Over £15,000 of work carried out in the past two years, including a £7,000 respray
- Low mileage vehicle
The Appeal
“A car for all reasons”, the very words used to describe the Range Rover when it first emerged onto Land Rover forecourts across the UK. The suave, handsome and well performing piece of British engineering quite literally changed the rapidly emerging 4x4 market and showed the world that capability didnt have to come alongside compromise. To this day, the legendary nameplate can be seen as a benchmark for what a luxury 4x4 can and should be.
The example we have here, hails from the golden era of the models history, and is a truly exceptional example. Fresh from a highly extensive, mechanical and aesthetic restoration, this desirable, 1990, 3.9 litre variant ticks all the important boxes one looks for in a classic Range Rover with comfort and is more than ready for many more years, and miles of enjoyment.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 16/11/1990
- Purchased by the current owner, an avid Range Rover enthusiast who sent the vehicle for an extensive restoration at the hands of Land Rover Specialists Absolute Land Rovers
- Accompanied by an extensive collection of invoices for parts bought and service work undertaken at the request of both the current and former owner
- Several previous MOT certificates
- Current MOT valid until May 2023
- Correct V5 registration document present with the vehicle
- Original Land Rover book pack present
- Two invoices from Absolute Land Rovers for the aforementioned restoration work
The Interior
- Well specced, highly original interior space
- Good quality upholstery throughout
- Electrically operated windows and sunroof
- Upgraded Pioneer speakers
Opening the doors and glancing into the cabin we find an exceptionally well preserved, Range Rover interior. A sea of plush “teddy bear” grey upholstery and carpeting drapes its way over nearly every surface within the cabin. Make no mistake, the Range Rover is a truly lovely place to be.
Believed to be original, the upholstery on the seats, front and rear is of a very good standard, notably lacking in the often seen, sagging, blemishing and tarnishing found on upholstery of this age, exhibiting strong bolstering and a rich grey colouring. Tying in nicely with the grey motif is the full length roof liner which has recently been replaced and is now up to the standard at which the rest of the cabin features present.
The armrests, steering wheel and automatic gear selector, appear in great shape and present with minimal wear. The adjoining grey door panels and embellishments of wood finish trim are also in fine fettle and add a subtle level of sophistication and luxury to an already impeccable interior space.
A neat cluster of period switchgear and trim pieces nestle their way around the brilliant quality dash and centre panels, all of which is reported to be in full functioning form, with the added bonus of an upgraded radio head unit having been fitted as well. Something of a rarity in these cars, the central locking system, alongside the electronically operated windows and heated front and rear screens, are all also in good working order.
An often overlooked area, but certainly not in the case of the Range Rover, the rear boot space. Opening the simply iconic split tailgate system one is presented with a neat and clean carpeted boot area, within which we find a factory toolkit, spare wheel and a protective high sided load liner. Luggage liner is also an original Range Rover liner which has protected the boot nicely.
The Exterior
- Rare Colorado Silver metallic paint scheme
- Subject to extensive body restoration and respray
- Recent wheel refurbishment
Finished in rare, but incredibly fitting, Colorado Silver metallic, the Range Rover looks absolutely wonderful from an exterior perspective. The iconic, classic shape suits the colour perfectly.The handsome bodywork is in outstanding overall condition, having been recently subject to a rigorous specialist restoration, we are now presented with flush, straight body and shut lines and a glorious deep shine emanating from the deep silver paint work.
The Range Rover’s front end has been stripped out completely, along with the inner arches with any necessary repairs and panel replacements being undertaken before all new and original metal was rust treated and subsequently resprayed. The doors and exterior panels, which are believed to be original, were also removed from the car, taken back to metal and resprayed before being installed back on the vehicle.
The vendor believes much of the excellent exterior trim pieces and seals dotted around the vehicle are original to the car. We can say with certainty that they are in great shape and work well to smarten the Range Rover’s outward appearance.
The three spoke “In Vogue” wheels have been professionally refurbished to a factory specification along with a diamond cut lip. All four are of a wonderful standard and look perfect on the Range Rover, having been fitted with Michelin tyres all round as per when it left the Land Rover factory back in 1990.
The Mechanics
- Legendary 3.9 litre factory V8
- Underside recently treated and rust proofed
- Upgraded exhaust system
- Also had new brake lines, new fuel tank, new sender.
Those familiar with the model will rejoice in the fact that this particular example is the far more desirable, 3.9 litre, fuel injected variant. Arguably a far more reliable and indeed desirable power plant than the smaller carbureted V8 Range Rovers. Smooth, powerful and excellently reliable, the unit in this particular example is in great shape and is backed up by a solid, well maintained driveline.
The most recent service on the Range Rover was undertaken just a matter of weeks ago, in November 2022. Specialist technicians at Absolute Land Rovers changed the engine oil, spark plugs, filters and distributor, before going on to polish the rocker cover and slam panel. This vehicle is used regularly and the vendor states that there is no camshaft wear.
Prior to this the car was treated to a full rust treatment on the underside, also at the hands of Absolute Land Rovers, and now, as shown in the accompanying photographic package, the Range Rover presents exceptionally well underneath. With a stand out point being the stainless exhaust system, with upgraded manifolds and downpipe fitted to really allow the V8 to sing.
Aside from the aforementioned exhaust, the car remains gloriously unmodified. It comfortably fires into life and within no time settles into a comfortable idle. On the road it is reported to provide the comfortable, yet powerful driving experience that can only be given by a Range Rover. The vendor does state that the central locking is tempermental.
Summary
This Range Rover is a wonderful example of an ever popular British classic, well presented in its original specification. In excellent order throughout, this truly fine 4x4 has been maintained to a high standard throughout its life, and now benefiting from an extensive restoration, and an advisory free MOT, is a genuinely usable classic vehicle, ready to find a new loving home, and will no doubt make a brilliant addition to any collection.
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