Range Rover 'Suffix A': Spotted
Early and unrestored Rangie shows how the classy 4x4 is really done
Now I'm not one to deride Range Rover's recent success pursuing a different type of customer and creating new cars. Good luck to 'em. But the proliferation of, shall we say, California-spec Range Rovers does cause a yearning for the more simple, less ostentatious Rangies of old. The previous L322 Range Rover was good, this TD6 diesel and this V8 pulling off a subdued spec very nicely.
But an original Rangie? Even better. Yes, they're getting expensive but which classics of similar stature aren't? Early 911s, original Minis, the E-Type; all are automotive design icons, instantly recognisable and more desirable because of it. Ask a child to draw a 4x4 and it will look like a Range Rover. Ask them to name a 4x4 and they will (hopefully) say Range Rover. I'd argue you would be able to show a lot of people any Range Rover without the badging and they could identify it. There's that inimitable Range Roverness about them that, perhaps ever so slightly, the current L405 is missing.
Anyway, back to the car in question. The advert states it features in the January 2015 issue of Land Rover Monthly so that could be worth seeking out. It comes from very early in the Range Rover's production life (1971) and is therefore a two-door manual. The Tuscan Blue paint is original and just beautifully tatty. It's well-worn like an expensive piece of old furniture; not at its best anymore but still so luxurious. The Palamino Beige vinyl has been restored as the original cracked.
A mechanical 'recommissioning' took place in 2002 so it may be worth a refresh of a few components again. It's over 40 years old now and so, despite being a fairly simple car compared to the later Rangies, it will need to be cared for like any other classic. Kudos to a buyer who takes it green laning and then onto the country pub though.
In this instance the vendor really is right, there probably won't be many more opportunities to buy a Range Rover like this. As an addition to any collection of classics it would surely slip in just perfectly.
RANGE ROVER
Engine: 3,532cc V8
Transmission: 4-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 132@5,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 185@2,500rpm
MPG: Not bloody likely
CO2: See above
First registered: 1971
Recorded mileage: 52,000
Price new: £1,998
Yours for: £39,995
See the original advert here.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C563566
(Range Rover TDV8 Vogue 2011)
for £34k?
Not a hard choice IMO, I'd buy the comfort and let this one rot every day.
These command strong money because they are a must have edition for proper collections.
These command strong money because they are a must have edition for proper collections.
Equipped with starting handle (remember these?) too, as standard.
Found this on YouTube (poor quality): Old Range Rover Ad
What's "Suffix A" an early chassis number or something?
I am so glad these cars are getting the eye of collectors as they really are beautiful things. They were scrapers 20 years ago, getting bobtailed for extreme offloading fun.
They just look right, perfectly proportioned and with a timeless styling. You could lightly rework that shape today and create a modern car more or less like it. It doesn't look like it came off a drawing board in the late 1960s. Not futuristic like a Citroen of the time, just kind of timeless. Classical architecture in car form.
To think I have wanted one since I got my first Dinky toy Range Rover in about 1974 and that when I had the chance of one a few years ago for very little money I bottled out.
Why was I so sensible?
I believe these are correct:
1970 Range Rover Production Year - VIN Suffix A - Released: June 17th 1970
1971 Range Rover Production Year - VIN Suffix A - Released: 1971
1972 Range Rover Production Year - VIN Suffix A - Released: 1972
1973 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix B - Released: January 1973
1974 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix C - Released: October 1973
1975 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix D - Released: April 1975
1976 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix E - Released: October 1975
1977 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix E - Released: October 1976
1978 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix F - Released: October 1977
1979 Range Rover Model Year - VIN Suffix F - Released: September 1978
Your link doesn't work for me.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C563566
(Range Rover TDV8 Vogue 2011)
for £34k?
Not a hard choice IMO, I'd buy the comfort and let this one rot every day.
I can't get my head around this... Looking at their other stock I can't imagine the dealer with the light blue model doesn't know what they have.
To the same end, I'd like to think the PH advertised model isn't being overly inflated.
Anyone know where the market really is on these?
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