There may be newer-looking Range Rovers around these days but the familiar boxy shape, purity of line and discreet styling still looks as fresh as it did back in 1970. The original Spencer King designed Range Rover was one of the British Motor Industry’s proudest success stories, and when it went out of production at the end of 1995 its place was firmly cemented in automotive history. The Range Rover had inspired a market sector that remains immensely popular today and is still dominated by its progeny, the current generation of Range Rovers.

First registered on 1st August 1973 with factory fitted power steering, this example was ‘nut and bolt’ restored over a five year period by a true Range Rover enthusiast. The engine is a new ‘turn-key’ 3.5 litre V8 built to original specification by RPI Engineering, noted specialists in Rover V8s; the invoice for which was £5,466 alone. All mechanical items have been overhauled and we believe a later overdrive was fitted for comfort as this was not originally available on early models. During the restoration we are informed the chassis was deemed to be in great condition and no welding was required but the body has had both inner wings replaced and any repair panels professionally welded in place. Both the body and chassis were shot blasted and painted in a four-stage process. During the stripping of the car the original build sheet was also uncovered, stowed away in the headlining. For posterity a photograph was taken and, in a nice touch, the papers were replaced into the new headlining for a future owner to uncover should it ever need replacing again. The seats are original and in good condition; the owner preferred that they should remain factory fitted and not be replaced.

Offered with a history file containing photographic records of the restoration, a UK V5C registration document and MOT test certificate until July 2021 and a Heritage Certificate, this is a true collector’s example in stunning order with a restoration cost that outweighs it’s price and with only 25,000 miles on the odometer.