WHAT IS IT?
Although it’s hard to believe, there was a time when the Range Rover aka “Chelsea tractor” was used for things other than dropping off London school kids. In its original iteration, it was just as capable and nearly as Spartan as a defender. Before heated steering wheels and contrasting piping and even a second set of doors, you had this, a stunning, minimalist piece of mid-century industrial design. A simply gorgeous Range Rover the way U.S. drivers never saw them–with cloth seats and a manual transmission.
WHY THIS CAR HAS BEST ONE ON THE PLANET CHOPS
A nice combination of preserved and sympathetic restoration, this vintage two-door Rangey is simply a stunner, it has the presence that no new SUV can come close to matching.
A simply gorgeous Range Rover the way U.S. drivers never saw them–with cloth seats and a manual transmission.
Man, this is a tough one. On the one hand, it presents outwardly as a very clean example of the rather desirable ’70s-era 2-door Range Rover. In the desirable Bahama Gold color. With the desirable left-hand steering wheel. And what appears to be period-correct dealer-installed A/C. Adds up to a very good combination that could make even Defender owners jealous in the States.
It also has the benefit of a later fuel injected 3.9L V8 instead of the sleepy 3.5L with twin carbs. Mated to a 4-speed manual, the likes of which we never got here, this should be great fun to drive. And because the later engine makes it something of a resto-mod, I guess we can forgive the bumpers for being black instead of silver.
The trouble for me is the flash of Masai Red paint still showing on the inner fenders and firewall. It says the outer, mostly aluminum bodywork got a slick new respray but that it would have been too much work to finish the engine bay. And we know the original engine would have been out at some point.
All the nastiness to be found on a vintage Range Rover lives behind these outer panels. Floors, firewall, sills. It’s possible there’s no rot in those places if it’s a low-mileage truck from Spain or Portugal, but it demands physical inspection at that asking price.
Damn, that’s some expert commentary.
Bryan’s comment is in a nutshell, what this site is all about–expert commentary to separate the truly legit from the pretenders. This car seems to fall squarely into the latter category.
Good details and good catch. It looks amazing, like a car with a last-minute paint job in preparation for an Arizona car auction, but maybe not the best out there. I’d love to see more of these.
Good on the seller for going with Bahama Gold!
This is all shiny and pretty, but the big question I have is why is the engine compartment red instead of body color?
As a former owner of a 1990 Range Rover County, I completely agree with your comments and concerns. That being said, I’m absolutely in love with this one. From the color to the two doors…it’s a beauty. In the photos it’s so perfect it looks like a toy version of the car. So good.
Yes! Yes! The colors, the all business looks! The automotive equivalent of a pair of well-used Wellies.
I would love to have this stand guard at the entrance to my 350 acre fishing lodge and estate on the Dee river. All I need now is the Estate and the Range Rover. And the fish. Cash would be nice, too.
I LOVE this thing!
Range Rovers are the original crossover, not only in highway vs. off road, but in social circles as well. You could drive a classic car the Queen of England loved like one of her beloved gaggle of Corgis! I like a lot of this, particularly the color. As the previous owner of a Bahama Yellow 911, the Bahama Gold here does give me the feels. I get the repaint observations, and sure, to be The Best perhaps the jambs could have been given more attention. But I like it, paint is paint, and this thing is super cool.