1983 Range Rover 2 Door Classic

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 for the earlier car 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 the first iteration of this legendary model was laid to rest.

There may be large numbers of more modern Range Rovers around, but that doesn't mean to say that the original first generation model with its familiar boxy shape is lacking enthusiastic supporters. Quite the contrary in fact, those numbers are growing and early Range Rovers are enjoying unprecedented success on the used car market.

This sympathetically restored 1983, 2dr Classic Range Rover, fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, is presented in its original colour of Shetland Beige. Chassis number 'SALLHABV7AA/136071' according to its Heritage Certificate, had the build dates 4 May - 6 June 1983 and was dispatched from Land Rover on the 9 June 1983 to its ordering dealer, the somewhat grandly named "Automobile Palace" in Llanfair, Anglesey.

Showing an unwarranted 29,000 miles, the condition of this car must be seen to be appreciated. This 3.5 V8 Classic Range Rover was recently returned to rude health at a cost of circa £28,000 by AWS competition, classic and race engineers. We understand that every aspect of the car was carefully restored and naturally the engine, gearbox, axles, suspension and brakes were all rebuilt using renovated existing parts or the correct items from specialist suppliers. New panels were applied paying particular attention to fit and panel gaps, the chassis received the same attention as the rest of the car and the engine bay was tidied. New, correct specification, carpets were fitted as was a new headlining, however the seats were in excellent condition so were simply cleaned and replaced.Finally, the car was professionally painted in its original Shetland Beige.

There are a few photos of the restoration included in the history file (there may be some more at the time of sale) and no relevant invoices of the work are available however anyone spending ten minutes looking closely at this Range Rover will be in no doubt about the quality of the work and the time and care lavished on this splendid eighties icon. We are told the car drives without fault and in the vendor's words (a Range Rover enthusiast) is " probably rebuilt to better tolerances than Land Rover ever achieved".

In the history file, there are some old MoT certificates, currently three photos of the restoration, the Heritage Certificate, a key fob from 'The Automobile Palace' and some original documents, including a 1985 Range Rover parts and accessories booklet, Leycare Supercover booklet, and a Unipart Land Rover Parts sheet.

This stunning Range Rover will impress even the most hardened of enthusiasts, as it certainly did with us.