1971 Range Rover Suffix A 3-Door Barnfind

There may be a newer-looking Range Rovers around these days but that isn't to say that the original first generation, with its familiar boxy shape, doesn't still have its supporters. In fact, it's positively flying on the auction market.

The original Spen King-designed Range Rover was one of the British Motor Industry's proudest success stories. When it went out of production at the end of 1996, it still looked as fresh and forward thinking as it did back in 1970. A model was even exhibited in the Louvre as an example of modern sculpture. The car was renamed the Range Rover Classic when the MKII model was introduced in the autumn of 1994, but demand continued even then. This was a car that had real international appeal. It sold in markets as diverse as Japan and the USA, Canada and Australia - and demand usually exceeded supply. Well over 300,000 Range Rovers had rolled off the production lines by the time this legendary model was laid to rest; the final one off the line is now part of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Collection at Gaydon in Warwickshire.

Finished in its original Tuscan Blue colour, this original four-speed manual Range Rover has been owned by the current vendor since 1999. The car was run by the vendor until around 10 years ago until several new additions in the family meant they needed a bigger vehicle.

The vendor advises that this Range Rover had a gearbox rebuild around 2001 and top-end engine rebuild with a new camshaft valves during his ownership around 2002 prior to the car being laid up. An LPG Conversion has been fitted and there is a receipt for the conversion including tank test certificate. The swivels were also rebuilt together with a replacement starter and disc brakes. The speedometer is currently showing 2051 unwarranted miles but is believed to have had speedo head change some 12 years ago.

The vendor informs that the chassis is solid for its 40 years of age. The upper hinge mount on the driver's door is corroded and will require attention as this caused the door to drop slightly. The door has been removed from the car in readiness for this work.

Included in the sale are numerous receipts from Steve Parker Land Rover for various items of work. Five MoT certificates dating from 6th January 1998 until May 7th 2002, when the car was last run, are present. The first MoT indicates 12,149 miles, then 15,277, 25,133 and 32,511 respectively until May 13th 2001. The final certificate, covering one year from May 7th 2002, indicates 00002 miles. We can conclude that this must have been when the speedo head and instrument was changed.

Classic Range Rovers are getting more and more difficult to find as interest and demand for them soars. Here we have a fabulous opportunity to acquire a suffix "A' 1971 original right-hand drive example at no reserve. Don't miss out.