Description
I bought this vehicle in 2006 when it had only 35, 000 miles on the clock, from a gentleman that lectured in Law at City University in London. He used it to drive to the Outer Hebrides and go birdwatching with his wife - so the majority of the 35, 000 miles that I bought it with will have been motorway miles.
Since I bought it, 18 years ago, it has been kept indoors and has spent less than twenty nights outside. I have driven it less than 20, 000 miles. The car is ‘correct’ (no modifications) and it has always started and run very well. It has hardly ever been taken off road and it has never been used for towing.
I have restored the car little by little; no expense has been spared in its upkeep:
I have replaced the headliner (the old one was sagging).
I have powder coated (that is to say, painted) the wheels and bumpers in the correct shade of grey.
I have completely refurbished the interior and upholstery (c/ o Messrs Nationwide Trim of Redditch) to include the seats, seat covers, carpets, door cards, door posts etc. The old seats were of the vinyl ‘kit kat’ design and every effort has been taken to remain faithful to the car’s original appearance.
I have fitted a stereo of period / correct appearance. Admittedly this is a Bluetooth unit and the single speaker mounted centrally at the foot of the windscreen doesn’t pack much of a punch but usually the driver will be too busy enjoying the burble of the car’s V8 whilst travelling! I think it looks nice though.
Last year I had the car partially stripped (wings off and floor out) by Messrs Broad Lane Land Rovers of Westbury and had all corrosion / rust removed, welded, replaced and sprayed as appropriate
Also last year, the underside of the car has had full Dinotrol (anti-corrosion) treatment c/ o Messrs South West Rust Proofing.
The car has recently been professionally polished and waxed; I had the bonnet / tailgate letters taken off and replaced with new (correct) ones in the process.
Overall, the car is in excellent condition and drives superbly. The main decision the car’s next owner will have to make is whether or not to attend to the bodywork / paintwork. The car is still wearing the same coat of paint as was sprayed onto it nearly 50 years ago so naturally there are blemishes, small scratches and signs of ‘bubbling’ - around the wheel arches in particular. Aside from a few dabs of touch-up paint here and there, no serious attempt has been to address these (a) because the risk of their getting any worse is extremely slight; the car has been kept clean and under cover for the last 20 years and (b) many collectors prefer the original / correct paintwork and great pains have been taken to keep the car correct and honest.
Everything in the car works as it should and I have lots of receipts to help demonstrate what work has been done to the vehicle over the years.
The car’s MoT expires in June 2024 but the car will be sold with 12 months’ MoT, the test to be done at my expense.
With only just over 51, 000 miles on the clock, this car has only done an average of just over a thousand miles a year throughout its life and may truly be considered a low mileage example. This car is a beauty and I hope to pass it on to someone who will love it as much as I have done for the last 18 years. It is a real head turner and I get kind / admiring remarks from all kinds of people wherever I go in it ..!
