Description
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Land Rover® 90 Ragtop in Rioja Red (1998).
300TDI. Will be supplied with 12 months MOT. One of 150 Factory Built (& only one of 50 in this colour) 300TDI 50th Anniversary 90s. Galvanised Chassis. Fully Rebuilt with too many new parts to list! 93, 975 miles from new – circa 3000 per annum.
Here we have for sale a beautifully presented and extremely rare Land Rover® 90.
First built in 1948, Land Rover® celebrated its 50th Birthday in 1998 and commemorated this with a range of 50th Anniversary Special Vehicles. In the 90 model, this was most notably commemorated with the automatic V8, and these vehicles are sought after today and have fantastic residual values due to demand. What is not so widely known about is that a sister vehicle was also produced alongside the V8, and assembled in the same manner, at the factory. This run of 150 vehicles was believed to be the final run of the highly acclaimed, non computerised, 300TDI 5 speed manual 90. There were 50 vehicles made in each of 3 colours and they were all manufactured with the following specification – The A Bar, Land Rover® spots, chequer plate on wings and sills, rear plaque, alloy gear knob, window winders and grey tornado alloys were all part of the 50th pack. They were all supplied as hard-top van style 90s.
This 300TDI 50th Anniversary was supplied originally in this very colour, Rioja Red and was originally a hard top Land Rover®. Since that point of course, the vehicle has undergone a complete and comprehensive rebuild which includes a new galvanised chassis. It is well known that vehicles from this era only had a shelf life of around 20 years maximum and that at some point around this time, in order to keep it on the road, a replacement chassis would be required. When this rebuild was carried out (to the host, low mileage vehicle) a comprehensive rebuild was conducted to all areas, at which point all the various new parts were fitted to bring it to the standard that we see today. Whilst there is not room to highlight everything that was done, we know that a new clutch and fuel tank came as part of that process, along with the usual brakes, suspension and anything else which needed to be replaced. As the owner wanted a soft top, it was decided (at considerable expense) that the vehicle be sent to Foley’s Specialist Vehicles for a professional conversion incorporating a roll cage. As you can see, it is of no surprise that this work was conducted to also look completely “factory”. Indeed, this company does carry out factory conversions to newly supplied vehicles as part of their working process.
What we see here then is a rare vehicle, supplied with the original and highly acclaimed low mileage 300TDI unit, coupled to a 5 speed gearbox. Externally, all those specific factory fitment extras are proudly displayed and it is clear to any discerning buyer that the bodywork and paintwork have been beautifully restored to factory standards. The fantastic grey tornado alloys are in great condition and are shod with recent tyres. Please take your time to look closely at the photographs, because this is one Land Rover® which looks as good from one meter as it does from twenty.
To the interior: it is generally found that when a vehicle has been rebuilt that whoever carries out this work begins to “flag” and neglect to create a similar standard to the interior as the exterior, but in the case of this rare vehicle, that has not occurred. Again, take a look at the photographs. All aspects of the interior have been lovingly and meticulously prepared so that it almost feels like one is stepping into a new vehicle. In the same manner that there will have been an array of external modifications and improvements, the interior has also been treated to some thoughtful improvements… a bluetooth HiFi with phone connectivity so that you can take calls, listen to your sat nav or your latest Spotify playlist, a fantastic quick de-mount steering wheel, which can be removed in one second to prevent theft, a complement of recovered seats which are both period OEM and restored, etc etc etc. The whole cabin is super clean and presented in a manner we could only dream to see in all the vehicles that we sell. The rear houses a pair of side facing seats, but if further seating was required, there are things that we could do to boost occupancy from 5 to 7 people.
So, we have a rare vehicle – low mileage – rebuilt – but what is it like to drive? The simple answer is that whoever rebuilt this Land Rover® deserves an award for creating the nicest driving 300TDI 90 that we have ever presented for sale… but what is so good about it?
You climb in to the fresh smelling and crisp cockpit, you flick the key and the engine fires up instantly with a pleasing exhaust note from which you can hear the faint whine of the turbocharger. It immediately makes one want to press the throttle to enjoy the tone… it is more like a high powered petrol sound than a 30 year old diesel! You engage gear, but notice that the clutch pedal is so incredibly light, and not what you have gotten used to in an old Land Rover®. If you are nervous about driving an old Land Rover® and the weight of the controls, this would be the vehicle to choose. With the low mileage gearbox, the lever shifts into first with a smooth and slick single movement…. you head off down the road, urged to drive more quickly than you have for a while as the super fit 300TDI engine hurls you up to the speed limit faster than you’d ever imagine possible in a pre-millennium diesel Land Rover®. The exhaust is singing, as is the stereo as you cruise along with the window down even though it is the middle of winter, because the heater is kicking out plumes of hot air into the cabin. It is not cold in here, even though it is winter and it is a soft top. In fact, it is lovely. It is exciting. It is a joy.
You come to a roundabout, ready to press the brake pedal hard – as you rest your foot on the pedal, the vehicle is already trying to do an emergency stop – pulling up straight and true and giving the driver added confidence to drive this vehicle as it feels it wants to be driven. You decide to join the motorway to see how it feels on the open road – on the slip road, the turbo urges you towards the speed limit and as you undertake the dual carriageway, you notice that 70 has already been reached with ease. It is then you realise that you could cruise this vehicle either to London or Edinburgh. As you perform an overtake at 70mph, you notice that the smaller steering wheel is really direct and gives great confidence. You were expecting to chase this Land Rover® around the road, but you aren’t – it feels more like a Lotus than a Land Rover® – and you have to check your speed to make sure you are staying within the confines of the law. You glance down and notice that all the dials work too…. they are all nicely illuminated too and the temp gauge never wavers despite what you put the vehicle through. You don’t want to end the test drive, and you don’t want to get out of the car either. You want to let everyone else have a drive in it to get rid of any myths about a Classic Land Rover® being bad to drive. You want them to experience what it is like to drive a little monster truck Land Rover® when someone has built it and set it up with love and care. You actually don’t want to sell it…. you want to take it home but you know that you already have a Land Rover®! It is then you compare it to your Land Rover® and realise it is actually far superior. SOMEONE is going to own this soon – and experience all the above too.
In summary, if you love the look of this vehicle as much as we do and trust the process of rebuild as we do and are looking for a 90 to drive and enjoy, whilst ensuring that your money is well invested then this 50th Anniversary 300TDI special, is somewhat of a no brainer. There are 90s out there that will be for sale at three to five times the price of this which don’t look this good, don’t have a galvanised chassis and feel no better behind the wheel. They may also not be a Factory Special Edition and when you buy them, your premium will diminish when you drive it away. Not in this case. You are owning a fantastic piece of restored Land Rover® history that you can still enjoy. Keep it nice, and who knows what it’ll be worth in another 20 years, but who cares anyway because all you want is a great looking Land Rover® 90 that drives fantastically well and is going to be a joy to own and run. After all, you don’t need a laptop to keep it going…. just a few spanners and a Sunday afternoon!
Okay – we appreciate we’ve written a novel about this car, but we really did think it necessary so that the lucky new owner can fully appreciate just what a fantastic opportunity this is. If it doesn’t sell quickly, we will retain it, use it, show it and maybe put a cover over it until its value doubles!
Priced at £34, 995 – Offers not invited
Visit our website for comprehensive photos and a varied stock list of Series 1s, 2s and 3s. We Export Worldwide. John Brown 4x4 are the Market Leaders in Vintage and Classic Land Rover® Sales.
