Highlights
- Desirable and lesser seen three-door variant
- Very original, well preserved and nicely presented
- Rugged 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine
- Five-speed manual gearbox
- One family owned
The Appeal
Masterminded by Spen King and Gordon Bashford, the Range Rover practically introduced the concept of the luxury SUV. Over half a century since its launch, the Range Rover continues to be one of the most highly regarded and popular off-roaders on the market. Early examples are now particularly sought after, deemed iconic for their unabashedly rectilinear styling, enviable off-road performance and refreshing simplicity.
This 1989 example will be of particular interest to collectors and enthusiasts. From 1981, five-door variants were offered and owing their practicality, few customers bought three-door Range Rovers anymore. That makes post-1981 three-door cars quite rare and particularly sought after with collectors as they adhere more closely to the original design. Moreover, this 1989 Range Rover is still in fantastic original condition, benefitting from the dry climate of north-east Italy. It has clearly been looked after very carefully and we’re informed it continues to drive very well - across any terrain it encounters.
The History and Paperwork
- One family owned
- It has been reregistered in the past as a commercial vehicle owing to its advantageous tax status in Italy
- As of 2021, it has been registered for social, domestic and pleasure usage once more
- Reportedly used very sparingly over the last two decades
- As the popularity of three door Range Rovers burgeoned in recent years, the exterior of the car was given light cosmetic refresh, although otherwise, it remains very original
- 181,733 kilometres indicated, which the previous (original) owner assures the vendor is warranted
- We’re informed that it has always been garaged
The Interior
- All original and unrestored
- ‘Hard dash’ version - before the introduction of the Discovery dashboard
- OEM Range Rover steering wheel (pre-airbag)
- Mustard carpeting and over mats all in very good order as they have been replaced
- Cloth seats in excellent original order and great for their age
- No damage UV damage evident to the interior plastics
- The door cards look to be in fantastic shape
- The headliner is sagging slightly in places, but is generally quite good and the vendor points out that it was previously replaced, but not to a great standard
- All seems in fine order inside the spacious luggage compartment
- Very little wear to any of the upholstery or controls
- All the original trims appear present and in fine order
- We understand everything to be in good working order as the vendor does not report any faults
The Exterior
- Exterior refresh carried out in 2021
- Handsome three-door early Range Rover styling
- No notable scratches or chips to the paint
- Early silver painted bumpers and steel wheels
- The tailgate and rear screen are both in very good order with no corrosion in the usual areas
- Tall, period appropriate off-road tyres
- Immensely clean and smart underneath
- No corrosion anywhere to be seen thanks to careful storage and a warm, dry climate
- Straight bodywork with good panel / door fit
- All the trim and light lenses present well, as do the badges and stickers variously
- The vendor advises that the nearside front light / indicator unit has become opaque with age
The Mechanics
- 2.5-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder
- Five-speed manual gearbox
- Four-wheel drive
- The vendor states that it runs and drives without fault, with plenty of torque perfect for off-road driving
- The engine is said to run well, the gearbox selects gears without issues and the brakes are effective
- We’re informed that a recent service has been carried out with new belts, filters and fluids
- The engine has never been rebuilt, as it has reportedly never had any issues
Summary
For Range Rover fans, this car is rather special and in a far better state of preservation than most other Range Rover of this vintage found elsewhere in Europe. Presented in great condition, driving well and reportedly subject to a recent service, this retro Range Rover is ready to roll and will tackle any terrain with aplomb.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes. On request, Car & Classic may refer you to a third-party shipping company. For more details, email auctions@carandclassic.com. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.
