Description
Model: Range Rover Classic - A very early four door (first 12 months of production)
Mileage: Showing 96, 660 km / 60, 000 miles
VIN: SALLHAMV4AA126893
Engine & Transmission: 3. 5 Carburettor V8 - Manual with overdrive
Colour: Lincoln Green, special order.
Date of first registration: 1982
Country of registration: France, European Union
Location: Harry Alexander Classics Spain - Begur, Costa Brava.
Viewings: Viewings and inspections by appointment are most welcome.
Price: €27, 900 with offers invited
From our personal collection, and owned and loved by us for three years comes this extremely early four door Range Rover Classic in special order Lincoln Green, with a rebuilt 3. 5 carburettor V8 engine and special overdrive gearbox.
The background:
Most of us today are familiar with, and likely to see four door Range Rovers on the road. Whether brand new, or from 10, 20 or 30 years ago, that is what we see and know. But many will forget that upon release in 1970, and for just over a decade, the two door Range Rover was the only format available.
Through lack of resources, the turbulent economic climate of the 1970’s and a fairly bolshy, unionised workforce, it took British Leyland 11 years to get their ducks in a row and build the first ever official four door Range Rover.
Before this, a few other companies had seen the demand however, and filled what was a sizeable gap in the market, with bespoke, coach-built cars such as Monteverdi, Wood and Pickett and others.
But with double the doors, these bespoke coachmakers were charging almost double the price compared with a factory built, Land Rover sold two door.
Finally, in late 1981, British Leyland unveiled the first official four Door Range Rover, with most not hitting showrooms until 1982.
Upon release, demand was enormous. It was so strong in fact during the first few years on offer, that in the UK market at least, two door production ceased in 1984 as the vast majority of customers elected for the four door example instead.
Export markets continued to receive the two door examples into the 1990’s, but in the UK, it would take until 1990, and the release of the CSK for British customers to be able to buy a factory, right hand drive two door Range Rover once again.
The car:
This is therefore, one of those very very early examples, first registered in 1982 and commissioned from the factory in special order Lincoln Green paintwork which was an optional extra.
These early four doors have all of the charm and characteristics of the same vintage two door cars with the exterior colour choices, old school interior, dash, bumpers, vertical grille and even the folding rear number plate, allowing the registration to be visible with the tailgate lowered. A practical hangover of the preceding two doors, allowing one to carry larger and longer loads in the rear, but still drive legally with the plate on show.
Having had a full engine rebuild, with all parts invoiced and documented, (available upon request), this example drives beautifully and it can be enjoyed with confidence as we have done.
Above and beyond the work under the bonnet, the car has had the full complement of care and attention to the chassis, body, floors and new paintwork using Land Rover colour codes. The paint work is excellent but after 2 years of our use since being painted, there are a few very, very minor imperfections.
It is worth noting that this example also benefits from an upgraded overdrive manual gearbox. This allows comfortable and effortless motorway cruising in excess of 130 kmph that would otherwise be a noticeable and noisy experience on a standard, period 4 speed manual gearbox.
In August 2021, having bought the car on my birthday, I drove this car from Geneva to Begur, in one day. A distance of around 800 kilometres, covered without fault or fuss.
Mechanical overhaul and engine rebuild:
The car has benefited from the following, all of which are invoiced:
New headgasket RTC3337
New bottom end gasket (blockset) RTC3306
New inlet manifold gasket ERC3990
New timing chain ERC7929
New fan belt 613602
New engine mounts ANR1808
New oil pump gear idler 614037
New oil pump ERC1351
New oil pressure switch STC4104
New piston rings RTC2408
New main bearings RTC1718
New camshaft ETC6849
New distributor cap STC8368
New rotor arm RTC6630
New spark plugs RTC3570
New Performance V8 leads RTC6551P
New breather filter 606168
New thermostat 602687
New water pump STC1610
New starter motor NAD101490
New hose, heater BTR215
New hose, cooling ERC2320
New hose, therm ERC2319
New air filter x2 605191
New CV joints TDJ000010
New front shock absorbers STC3703
New rear shock absorbers STC3941
New clutch slave cylinder TKC2786L
New clutch hose NRC2211
New fuel gauge PRC4510
New choke cable NRC9095
New clutch plate FRC9773G
New clutch cover V8 576476G
New track rod ends RTC5870D & RTC5869D
New hub bearings x4 STC4382
New twin tail pipe and rear silencer NRC4563
New intermediate silencer NRC1973
New Swivel Seal 571890
New Diff seal FRC4586
New front brake pads STC9186AP
New rear brake pads SFP000270AP
New front brake hose NRC4401
New rear brake hose NTC3458
New steering damper DC5005
Body and chassis:
Going through the vehicle upon full strip down, although not necessary, after 40 years, it was common sense to replace the following for our own peace of mind and for the coming decades:
New outer sill, right RR121R
New outer sill, left RR121L
New inner sill, right RR124R
New inner sill, left RR124L
New front footwell, right RR322R
New front footwell, left RR322L
Finally, the entire chassis was sanded down and the undercarriage, wheel arches and chassis itself has been protected for the future and presents extremely well.
The vehicle also wears 4 Cooper Discoverer AT/ 3 Tyres with less than 1500 kilometres of use.
Interior:
The interior is the only completely original part of the car and is complete, although it shows signs of age one would expect on a 42 year old car. The door cards are very good, the dash is excellent, the rear passenger bench is unmarked, the front passenger seat is unmarked, the driver seat is very good aside from one very small tear that could be restitched if desired. The carpeting shows several signs of age/ use but is adequate. This can be replaced and Famous Four sell a complete front to rear set for £600 + VAT. We have installed a new brown suede headliner and repainted the rear passenger seat back which as can be seen is now immaculate. As is period correct for a 1982 example, the rear tub/ boot is uncarpeted and has a rubber boot liner.
In summary:
As documented, this example, which we have enjoyed for three years, has had extensive new parts, labour and expenditure. The engine rebuild and enormous array of new parts throughout the vehicle should provide any new owner with confidence.
Becoming more and more sought after, and difficult to acquire in such condition, (and especially at such a fair price), a first year of production four door Range Rover Classic in iconic Lincoln Green would be a wonderful addition to any collection or indeed as a car for regular use.
Viewings, inspections and shipping:
We welcome any inspections or viewings of this, or any of our other vehicles.
Viewings by appointment are most welcome, and the car is stored safely with us, amongst our collection in Begur, Costa Brava. Professional third party mechanical inspections are also welcome.
* We will be selling direct to US clients from Austin, Texas from October 2024 - We are happy to offer full shipping, import and titling service on any of our examples. *
We are proud to be Europe’s top seller and exporter of Range Rover Classics with clients throughout the EU, USA, and across the world.
Please feel free to enquire for specific shipping quotes.
For over many years, we have successfully transported and shipped our vehicles throughout the EU, UK, to North and South America, to the Middle East and beyond.
We facilitate and expedite export papers, transport to port, customs procedures, port fees, and of course, shipping itself. US import can also be facilitated.
Insurance can be arranged at a cost of 1% of value and an independent insurance report with photos can be conducted at port of departure to aid any unlikely but potential claims.
