﹒2 Owner car ﹒3.5 Litre V8 ﹒Rare Suffix B model ﹒MOT and Tax exempt
The Background
Range Rover’s were first introduced to the public in June 1970. With the slogan “A Car For All Reasons” it boasted a top speed of 100 mph, a towing capacity of 3.5 tons, ample accommodation for five occupants, hydraulic disc brakes on the front and rear and a groundbreaking four-speed gearbox with a permanent four-wheel drive system. For the first 10 years the Range rover was produced as a two door body until 1981 when the four door body was introduced.
Like other Land Rover vehicles, most of the Range Rover's bodywork skin is constructed from lightweight aluminium, except for the two-section rear tailgate, and the bonnet, on all but the earliest models. Rolled from a single sheet, the Range Rover used aluminium panels hung on a steel 'safety frame' This allowed the bodywork of the Range Rover to carry much greater structural strength with the steel frame while retaining the corrosion-resistant and easily repaired aluminium outer panels.
The Range Rover is fitted with the popular 3.5 litre V8 being fuelled by two carburettors producing 135 bhp and 185 lb ft torque. Range Rover broke away from the classic suspension set up of the then common leaf springs and moved over to coil springs to give a more comfortable ride.
This 1973 Range Rover Two-door Suffix B was first registered 3rd April 1973. It has been in the seller's possession for just 2 weeks. He was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to purchase the car from a contact who has had the car in the family and who was the second owner that purchased the Range Rover in 2004. Looking back at the MOT history, it was used for a few years until 2008 and then sat mothballed until today.
One thing that makes this particular Range Rover special is that it’s a Suffix B model. The Suffix B was only produced for about 10 months from January 1973 before Range Rover made a few modifications and changed it to the Suffix C, all of which makes the Suffix B a relatively rare model.
With the Range Rover not being used for a few years it is in need of some restoration and recommissioning. The previous keeper did start to carry out some of the restoration work and the car does come with a new off-side inner wing, an off-side sill and some beige paint.
With this being the Suffix B model, Range Rover installed oil pressure, oil temperature and an ammeter gauge as standard equipment. The front seats are still in good condition for the age and you would say they also tally up with the mileage shown on the odometer which is only 14,014. The same goes for the carpets. The headlining has suffered from some sagging due to age and being stood for some time.
There is a radio present and fitted directly below is a PYE cassette player. All the switchgear is present and heater controls which just show signs of patina on the surround. The door card on the drivers side has suffered from some damp which makes it not sit as flat as it should. The passenger side is in better condition.
In the rear of the Range Rover the seat is in good condition again like the front seats. The boot area has the original carpet and there is still the spare wheel cover in the matching carpet. There is also carpet fitted to the dropdown tailgate. DSC_0549.jpg13.3 MB
The Exterior
It is finished in Bahama Gold which was one of six colours available at the time for the Suffix B. There is evidence of the Range Rover being repainted at some point in its life.
Starting at the front, the bumper is in tidy condition with just a few age related scuffs. There is a crack in the off-side side light, the rest of the lights are in tidy condition. Although the Range Rover letters across the bonnet are missing, these have been retained to be refitted.
The doors and quarter panels on the Range Rover are made from aluminium, so problems with corrosion on them isn't really an issue. There does look like there may have been some body filler applied to the off-side quarter panel at some point. Even so, replacement panels for Range Rovers are readily available and relatively cheap. The square flip up petrol cap is in place with a working lock and there is also still the extension piece which pulls out to make filling up that little bit easier. The near-side is much the same as the drivers side, the panel gaps are even and straight. As already mentioned, the previous keeper had started to carry out some restoration work including replacing the near-side inner wing and sill panels. The same panels for the off-side are included with the sale.
The rear of the vehicle has the drop down tailgate which is in good condition. The lift up hatch would require some new gas struts to enable it to hold up. Standard fit on the Suffix B was the rear wiper and also fitted, which was an optional extra, is the rear heated window.
This 1973 Range Rover Two door Suffix B is fitted with Rover’s popular powerhouse, the 3.5 V8, which is coupled to a 4-speed manual gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive system.
The Range Rover is not running at the moment but when it was last used it did drive. The seller does know that the diaphragms in the carburettors need to be replaced and these are included with the sale of the vehicle ready for fitting. As the seller has only recently acquired the Range Rover, it was not a running vehicle as mentioned above, so none of the gauges, or odometer are known to work. The engine does turn over but does not fire.
Looking under the car there are signs of rust to the chassis, and suspension components but this is to be expected after having stood for some time.DSC_0460.jpg11.28 MB
The Appeal
The Two door Range Rover is an iconic vehicle of the 1970’s and early 80’s, a great all rounder and more luxurious than Land Rovers of the same age. The prices of them continue to rise and finding one is becoming much more difficult as time goes on.
You have here a rare Suffix B model that is in need of some restoration and recommissioning, but with just 2 owners from new and low miles this is certainly one that is worth saving!
Could you be the one to keep another classic on the road?
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
