1976 Land Rover Range Rover Suffix D

The first-generation Range Rover (now coined the Range Rover Classic) was produced between 1970 and 1996 and initially only two-door models were built, followed by the four-door from 1980/1981. Whilst certainly up-market compared to preceding Land Rover models, the early Range Rovers had fairly basic, utilitarian interiors with vinyl seats and plastic dashboards that were designed to be washed down with a hose. Convenience features such as power-assisted steering, carpeted floors, air conditioning, cloth/leather seats and wooden interior trim became more common later in the production run. Marketed as 'A Car for All Reasons', the Range Rover was more capable off-road than the Land Rover and was much more comfortable, whilst also offering a top speed of almost 100mph. With the quality of performance and ‘go anywhere’ capability with timeless styling, one can easily see why the Range Rover has been the chariot of choice by the Royal Household, celebrities, military, emergency services, explorers, and everyone in between for decades.

The car presented here is a right-hand drive Suffix D V8 Carburettor 3-door UK example which, amazingly, has covered just 43,000 warranted miles from new. It was immediately exported to Germany, where it spent the first two years of its life before being first registered in the UK in 1978 by Hodgson’s Garage in Wearhead. Miraculously, the original documentation showing taxes paid and purchase invoice for the car upon its UK registration remains within the history file including handwritten correspondence.

It's unusual to find an early Classic Range Rover with such a level of quality and, whilst it certainly has enjoyed a fresh coat of striking Bahama Gold, the work undertaken wasn’t simply cosmetic, and benefits from an impressive host of recommissioning work, all completed to a very high standard over a four-year period. Despite Range Rovers having a reputation for rust, this example with its low mileage thankfully wasn’t in need of a bare shell rebuild with sometimes ‘questionable’ welding that so many cars see, and retains a huge amount of originality. Mechanically the car benefits from rebuilt, refreshed, and balanced carbs by Classic Fuel Systems in 2019, a new radiator, HT leads, hoses, thermostat; essentially a fresh bill of health short of replacing the internals. The robust and powerful 3.5-litre V8 holds excellent oil pressure, and the 4-speed LT95 gearbox is as smooth as ever one of these was. Cosmetically the original wheels have been refurbished, it has a new tailgate and all associated seals, inner wings, bonnet catches, the list goes on. Thankfully, within the history file there is not only a summary sheet of materials ordered from Famous Four and John Craddocks (amongst others), but a mountain of paperwork including every associated invoice for parts and labour, costing in excess of £14,000 between 2015 and 2019.

Step inside the period interior and the only creature comfort is the installation of a modern radio head-unit, which is tucked away nicely to the right-hand side of the dashboard, by the steering wheel, to not draw attention from the car's lovely originality.

Within the remarkable history file there is every MOT from 1980-2004 warranting the low mileage with no inconsistencies, a selection of old tax discs, a BMIHT technical data sheet for the car, the BMIHT factory record sheet and the original Range Rover Owner’s Manual.

Two-door Classic Range Rovers are appreciated across the board, and somehow seem to look right wherever they are, whether that’s roaming the streets of London, performing farmyard duties, or simply looking pretty amongst a collection, and this nicely restored example will, undoubtedly, be welcome anywhere.