1974 Range Rover (Suffix C)

According to the accompanying Heritage Certificate, this 1974 'Suffix C' was dispatched in its current colour of Masai Red to Devon through W. Mumford Ltd. of Exeter and has retained its Devon prefixed registration POD 790M its entire life it seems. When our vendor"s husband discovered “POD”, as the family called it, in a barn on his Uncle Norman"s farm, having been taken off the road due to corrosion in 1985, it started a love affair not only with “POD” but Range Rover restorations. He helped his Uncle strip the car at the age 11 and it was to be twenty years later before the restoration was finished.

Our vendor and her husband purchased “POD” on the 20th April 2015, and with skills learned as a technician at the respected specialist 'Frogs Island 4x4' for fifteen years, the mammoth restoration was started. Luckily, Uncle Norman had previously sourced various genuine parts having always planned to restore the vehicle to its former glory. Initially, they started with powder coating the chassis and axles, and various suspension components, before then totally stripping and rebuilding the engine. The gearbox and transfer boxes were also stripped and rebuilt. The axles were completely rebuilt having been already stripped for powder coating. Next, came the main body frame, which was all new, as Uncle Norman bought and stored it during the eighties and consequently had not been subject to any welding at all.

All body panels were sourced as new to prevent the possibility of inherent corrosion. The windows and doors were fitted with new Land Rover seals and the interior trim, door cards, and headlining were also new. The seat covers were from Nationwide Trim in Palomino PVC using the original seats and bases which had been stripped and powder coated. A front carpet set was fitted, but it has the genuine rubber mats underneath. The dashboard and gauges (not including the speedometer housing) were replaced with new original stock as was all the lighting. The paint work was carefully and professionally finished in the factory correct, Masai Red.

We conclude, therefore, that the vehicle is “like new” and probably better (in some areas) than when it left the factory back in 1974. This lovely, much loved, old Range Rover will be regretfully presented to auction with a history file that includes the Heritage Certificate, photographic records of the restoration, and a number of receipts.