1985 Range Rover Classic

Lot details
Registration No: C765VGX
Chassis No: SALLHAMJ3BA160201
Mot Expiry: June 2010

Developed in the late 1960s as a more comfortable but equally capable version of the Land Rover, the Range Rover was launched in 1970 (though, Velar-badged prototypes were spotted testing the previous year). Given that the basic concept was so right to start with, Land-Rover had little need to evolve the mechanicals but by the late 1970s buyers of the boxy off-roader were facing new, upmarket European choices in the luxury car market from BMW and Mercedes. To keep up, the Range-Rover was bedecked with an increasing choice of luxury equipment - swapping its rubber floor mats for carpets - plus a commensurately high price tag. Four-door coachwork brought a welcome increase in practicality following Monteverdi's paving the way with a four-door conversion during the late 1970s / early 1980s and by this time the Range-Rover was a palpable sales success attracting buyers whose business needs extended to both town and country. The association with Royalty wasn't underplayed by Range-Rover and in truth the Royal family and British nobility had uses for the Range-Rover on estates covering the UK. That image has lived on for the `Classic' Range-Rover shape, and with a useful 3500cc V8 upfront, auto transmission and four-wheel drive, there's little else that can compete for class and all-round capability.

This 1985 example benefits from trim and body appearance befitting the later incarnation of the model and features original coachwork said to be in "good" order, with the added boon of a factory front spoiler incorporating fog lamps. The car has reportedly been garaged throughout its life. The 90-year old owner has maintained a meticulous record of servicing, maintenance and expenditure, including listing the oil and fuel used over the past twelve years. The Range-Rover has been the subject of some number plate changes during its life, but these are also recorded with the history. With electrical equipment and auto gearbox reportedly in "good" condition, plus "very good" paintwork and interior trim, finished in grey cloth with the usual upmarket Range-Rover detailing, this example belies its mileage. The 3528cc V8 engine is understood to "use very little oil" - an encouraging sign. The MOT runs until 8 June 2010 and the tax until May 2010.