Description
Over the last decade or so, popularity for the first 2-door Range Rovers has been on a steady rise and it's for good reason, they’re excellent. The Range Rover was first launched in the early 1970s, it took the rough and tumble of the series Land Rover but added some level of refinement without compromising utility.
Today though their cult-like following has spawned a whole market dedicated to rejuvenating, restomodding and restoring them. The Range Rover Classic community is an effervescent one and it's high time we appreciated these magnificent motors more.
This particular example is a 1974 model, making it a Suffix B. It has been subjected to a course of extensive renovations and improvements, but it still retains the charm of a true Range Rover. Externally, the car is finished in Bahama Gold.
Bahama Gold is an excellent colour, somewhere between with warm tones it’s almost a Mustard shade. The front and rear bumpers are finished in the correct shade of silver whilst the front grille panel, wing mirrors, door handles and other trims are finished in Satin black.
The paint work is in good condition, there are a few areas that display some orange peel and areas like the door handles which are lightly scuffed and could benefit from attention, however, these inclusions do not detract from the overall picture. The wheels are the original ‘Rostyle’ steel wheels finished in the correct shade of silver and are wrapped in a matching set of tyres.
Step inside and you’re greeted by a well maintained interior, there is no sagging roof liner, and the car benefits from a set of nicely retrimmed seats in a brown and tweed-esque combination. The carpet set is colour coded to match and the car retains its original three-spoke steering wheel.
Like a lot of Range Rovers of this era, the car does unfortunately have a few cracks on the dashboard, mainly on the drivers side corner, which whilst unfortunate does not detract greatly and reproduction units are available. There is also an aftermarket JVC head unit, with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Under the bonnet where you would typically find a 3. 5-litre carburettor equipped Rover V8 is a 3. 9-litre fuel injected unit from a later car, and benefits from air conditioning. The engine was stripped down, and rebuilt by Range Rover restoration, alongside the gearbox and transfer case.
The engine runs well, and benefits from a new radiator and cooling fan. The underside is also in excellent shape, as part of the restoration it was stripped down, painted and re-assembled with new bushes, brakes and components as well as the axles and steering box being overhauled.
In total the car received in excess of £35, 000 worth of restoration work throughout 2021 resulting in a ready to enjoy Range and has subsequently had small amounts of work completed at marque specialists Kingsley Cars.
There is some room for improvement, this is by no means a concours restoration but that is possibly what makes this car ideal. A Range Rover is designed to be used, and the odd mark here or there will add to the story. To take the family on an adventure, with the split tailgate down to enjoy a spot of lunch.
Alternatively, it’ll be just as at home, burbling through the streets of London, and thanks to its age, its tax and ULEZ exempt, making it the ideal city cruiser.
As with all our vehicles, a full digital folder is available on request containing more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.
