1989 Range Rover Overfinch 570i S

Designed by Spencer King, the original 1970 Range Rover was a masterstroke of understated elegance and remained in production virtually unaltered for 25 years. Originally powered by Rover’s lightweight all-alloy 3.5-litre V8 engine detuned to 135bhp, the ultimate off-road/on-road vehicle, its clever suspension managed to combine a three tonne towing ability, a huge range of articulation off-road and limousine comfort on A and B roads. By the mid-1980s, and hugely popular amongst a new class of buyer, the Range Rover’s interior was still somewhat behind that found in the contemporary Austin Montego at half the price. Interior refinements were added incrementally and it is perhaps astonishing that a leather interior was only first introduced as an option in 1988! By the 1990s however, it was clear that the smart money, both old and new, saw the Range Rover as a dual-purpose, luxury motorcar.

Although the 1988 Range Rover was now offered with the 3.9 EFi V8 engine, a few very wealthy enthusiasts looked to Overfinch of Ascot for further enhancement. So, having paid some £25,000 for his brand new Caspian Blue Vogue with Winchester Grey leather interior by Connolly, a Mr Sirl of Kensington accepted the Overfinch quote of £21,000 for the full works. A new Chevrolet 570S V8 was installed and mated to a GM 700 4-speed automatic transmission and Overfinch T2 FF transfer box. The Stage II handling pack upgraded both front and rear suspension and ventilated brakes were installed. An additional 6-gallon fuel tank was also fitted, which probably came in handy.

Cosmetically, subtle vent covers and badging were added and the leather Momo Overfinch steering wheel came at cost of £185! First registered on 3rd March 1989, the car returned to the Overfinch workshops for a full conversion to fuel-injection in February 1990 and, amongst other works, a Ferrari-style instrument binnacle was installed, the bill coming to some £13,000. With around £60,000 spent during the first year of ownership, we must draw comparisons with this astonishing amount to the launch-price of the Ferrari Testarossa at just a few thousand more! The accompanying service book lists periodic services and the car’s recent refurbishment was not only necessary to correct the usual Range Rover issues, but brought the car roaring into the 21st century.

When the preceding owner purchased the car, it entered into a near six-year strip down, rebuild, improvement and restoration programme costing some £35,000, with work carried out by the likes of Jule Motors and renowned Range Rover restorer, Kingsley Cars. The Caspian Blue paintwork was refreshed and the recently rebuilt engine is capable of some 400bhp. The detailed history file is a joy to read including, as it does, the original Overfinch order forms, brochures, service book and numerous bills for maintenance works, most recently commissioned by our vendor. It is noted in the file that the odometer reading was somehow reduced by 10,000 miles between 2016 and 2023, and the vendor informs us that the true mileage is probably nearer 47,000 miles.

N.B. The illustrated registered number does not form part of the sale.