1980 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 (LHD)

They have all tried, even the Chinese of late, to emulate the Range Rover and none have managed to capture the magical ‘off road’ luxury formula that endures today even in the latest Range Rovers. This Mk 1 original 1970 Arrive Drive Range Rover was where it all started as the car for the well-to-do farmer. The combined comfort with off road ability, could just provide your platform for armchair ease in rallying.

This appropriately sand coloured machine has been on the fleet since 2010, providing armchair ease for rallying as the crews endure the hardship of an endurance event but yet in comfort as the 4 x 4 does all the traction work transmitted through its differentials. Equally, this superbly refurbished Range Rover has provided a magic carpet ride for its occupants on tours and all tarmac events such as the Scottish Malts.

It combines a robust chassis under the classic and much sought after first Range Rover body with 3.5 litre V8 and strong four speed box. There is plenty of room for spares, tools and luggage and is equipped with air conditioning which can be useful in the desert.  

According to original designer Spen King, “The idea was to combine the comfort and on-road ability of a Rover saloon with the off-road ability of a Land Rover. Nobody was doing it.” It was coil sprung all-round with long travel to ensure both comfort on-road and off. 10 prototypes hit the road badged as the ‘Velar’ after the Italian ‘Velare’ meaning to cover or veil, as the final vehicle was developed over four years.

Range Rover development engineer Geof Miller used the name as a decoy for registering pre-production Range Rovers. The Velar company was registered in London and produced 40 pre-production vehicles that were built between 1967 and 1970.

The Range Rover was finally launched in the early 1970s in a Paris museum exhibiting the Range Rover as an "exemplary work of industrial design".

In 1971, ex-Cream drummer Ginger Baker used the unproven Range Rover to drive from Algeria to Lagos, Nigeria, to set up a recording studio and jam with Fela Kuti. Predating the Paris-Dakar rally, the subsequent documentary covers the trip over harsh terrain but recordsthe vehicle's endurance.

The car’s off-road capabilities were subjected to the ultimate test in the Range Rover British Trans-Americas Expedition. Between December 1971 and August 1972 a team of soldiers from the 17th/21st Lancers, led by explorer John Blashford Snell, campaigned two left-hand drive Range Rovers from Anchorage, Alaska, to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Modified with winches, protection, roof racks and larger tyres, the cars were otherwise stock and crossed the infamous Darien Gap, 250 miles of what was reckoned to be impassable rain forest and swamp situated between Colombia and Panama. That was the proof required to stamp the vehicles credentials as an off roader with luxury.

A Range Rover also won the inaugural Dakar Rally in 1979 and again in 1981.

Finished in Sahara Dust with Sandstone interior, this two-door Range Rover Classic is just as at home competing on the endurance rally Le Jog as it is taking part in touring style events. The car has been used on varied events from LE JOG to the Scottish Maltsthree day event, as well as being popular for our Bespoke/Corporate events.

This vehicle is standard in most every sense - the V8 engine based on the small block Buick motor wafts you along with ease, coupled with the venerable four speed standard gearbox, this Range Rover Classic can tackle most conditions she comes across. Ideal for those events where the weather could be inclement.

Our car is the relatively rare two door version and comes with the factory option at the time of “Air Conditioning”. Over the past eight years the car has undergone some considerable restoration including with Range Rover specialist Kingsley Cars and is a delight to drive, some say better than when it came out of the factory!