1972 Range Rover Suffix A 3-Door

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

TJT 385L is a late Suffix A Range Rover, first registered on 3rd October 1972 and purchased by Mr Walter Welch from his local Land Rover dealer Tilleys of Weymouth, Dorset, on 4th October 1972. The chassis number is 35504736A and the car is still fitted with its original 3.5 litre V8 engine, no. 35508171B. In approximately 1975 the car passed to it's second owner, Mr Stanley Wyn Jones of Rhyl, North Wales, who kept the car for around 20 years before it was purchased by Mrs Phyllis Clayton of Hereford in February 1994. Mrs Clayton also owned TJT 385L for nearly 20 years, and in October 2013 it was purchased by the vendor via a classic Land Rover dealer in Berkshire.

TJT 385L was specified from the factory in Sahara Dust, and a number of factory fitted options were ordered: Fairey overdrive, rear wash-wipe system and an oil pressure gauge (only a clock was standard on Suffix A cars, the other three round dash apertures having blanks fitted unless additional gauges - oil pressure, oil temperature, ammeter - were ordered). The only variations from factory specification are the fitment of a glass pop-up style sunroof and a Kenlowe electric fan.

The vendor's aim with this car has been to retain as much originality as possible, whilst bringing the cosmetic appearance up to a standard compatible with a fully restored car. It has not been "fully restored", but sympathetically repaired and refurbished only where needed. The condition of the chassis and body structure, mechanicals and interior were so good that a comprehensive body restoration was deemed unnecessary, and would have been detrimental to the historic value of such an original Range Rover. Only a few localized minor repairs to the body frame were required, all where the extensive rustproofing had failed. In these areas, any corrosion has been cut out and new steel let in. The only outer panel requiring attention was the lower tailgate, which has been rebuilt using a NOS top panel and new metal let into the lower half. The finished article is virtually indistinguishable from a new tailgate, and fits perfectly.

TJT 385L has been the subject of a thorough and professional respray in its original colour of Sahara Dust, extending to the interior floors and load area, the doors, door shuts, pillars, inner wings and headlight boxes, all outer panels and roof. The front and rear bumpers and the correct early Rostyle wheels have been repainted in silver. The car is running on period-correct Michelin X radial tyres. The interior of the car is also in lovely original condition, in particular the condition of the Palomino PVC seats. These seats look tough, but the PVC coverings have proven to be very fragile, cracking and splitting as years exposed to sunlight causes the PVC to dry out and stiffen. The seats in TJT 385L were fitted with tailored covers from new, and have survived in remarkably good condition. The driver's seat base is cracked along both sides and on the squab, but the passenger seat and rear seat are virtually crack-free and a lovely colour. The factory fitted Britax front seat belts are in place, and inertia reel rear seats belts have been added at some time. The door cards and transmission tunnel carpet have been replaced, the door cards with rare NOS items for a factory finish.

The rear side trim panels have been replaced with replica items (the warped originals are still with the car). The remainder of the interior trim is original and in great condition, including the extremely rare cover for the D-pillar mounted rear wiper motor. The Palomino PVC covered headlining is also in good condition, as are the rubber floor mats. In the load area, the original ribbed black rubber floor covering is present and in very good condition, as are the grained black PVC-over-felt spare wheel cover and tool curtain. The toolkit, jack, jack shafts and starting handle are all in place.

The car retains all its original details, some of which are unique to Suffix A Range Rovers:

- Raised bonnet and tailgate letters

- Central bonnet catch

- Early bonnet prop rod

- Wingard bonnet mounted wing mirrors

- Engraved RANGE ROVER scuttle badges

- Hinged rear number plate bracket

- Original raised letter number plates

Mechanically and electrically, TJT 385L is in very good order. The 3.5 litre V8 engine ticks over quietly and sweetly, and pulls well through the quiet 4-speed gearbox, which is fitted with Fairey overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears. The low range transfer box and diff locks work as they should. The engine oil and brake fluid has been changed in the last couple of weeks. The non-power assisted steering is as direct as any early Range Rover has a right to be (!), and the all-round disc brakes pull the car up progressively and in a straight line.

Overall, this is an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire an original, unrestored and unmolested Suffix A Range Rover in excellent condition throughout. It is doubtful that there are many left with this combination of originality and structural integrity, and still fewer that retain a specification so close to factory standard. Cars like this are a testament to their careful loving owners, Sold with an MOT until October 2014 and taxed until September 2014 this car is ready to be driven and enjoyed, take it anywhere and its guaranteed to turn heads.