Range Rover 'Fire Storm' | PH Auction Block
A Range Rover Classic always appeals - this one adds a 640hp supercharged sweetener
Whatever has been done to an old school Range Rover, there is nearly always something appealing about it. The Classic is just one of those charismatic cars that almost everybody loves; that aura and that popularity must be what keeps people tinkering with them half a century on. Doesn’t matter if a Range is modified to accept sports suspension, a drinks cabinet or batteries, they’re legendary. Sometimes modifying can spoil an old car, but we’re yet to see a Classic that isn’t even more likeable for some choice upgrades.
And this must be the most awesome yet. It’s known as The Beast, which is always an encouraging start, and resided first in Australia. During its time Down Under, the Range was sent to Les Richmond Automotive (LRA) in Victoria; probably not a familiar name over here, but they specialise in bespoke Land Rover and Range Rover commissions. Whatever you can dream up, they can build, with previous projects including a 6.0-litre Discovery and a 6.2-litre Defender 130.
This Range Rover build, officially called the Fire Storm, went one step further still. Or perhaps several, in fact. Because under the bonnet of this 1993 LSE is an LSA, the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that wreaked havoc on the tyres of GM monsters like the VXR8 GTS-R, Camaro ZL1 and Cadillac CTS-V. Only here it’s more powerful than all of them, boasting in the region of 640hp and 590lb; even the supercharged V8 Range Rovers made 30 years after this weren’t that powerful…
The Fire Storm overhaul was far more than just an engine swap, however. As well as mating the V8 to a GM six-speed auto, LRA prepped the Range for overlanding adventures, with beefed up bodywork to accommodate off-road tyres, underbody protection both from rocks and rust, a roof rack, a winch, heavy-duty axles and air-locking diffs. With that engine to provide the pulling power (and long-range fuel tanks to keep it going), it’s surely going to be unstoppable off road. As well as sound like something from the Baja 1000.
And while the Fire Storm is clearly built for off-road adventures, the custom chassis should mean the tarmac doesn’t pose any problem. There are Alcon brakes, for one thing, which is probably wise given the power, as well as Koni dampers, a Bilstein steering damper and bespoke springs. Just imagine the gawps when this is keeping up with absolutely anything else on-road as well as off it.
Furthermore, while the interior is some way from the latest and greatest restomod Range Rovers, the Fire Storm does benefit from some useful improvements over standard. That includes CarPlay, a reversing camera and USB charging points, plus a CB radio for when none of that is any use and you actually need help. There’s more than enough Range Rover to recognise where you are, with sufficient changes to make it clear this isn’t any old Classic.
Life would be better with The Beast in it, you just know. Even to look at it would brighten every day, before considering its wealth of talents. Maybe not one for the school run or popping to the shop, but just think of the adventures that would be possible with a Range Rover built to this spec. There’d be no stopping you, or it, wherever in the world that would be. All while behind the wheel of a very cool Classic. Best get planning your first trip…
https://youtu.be/DdoC3RYvaMw
Once you start modifying them extensively like this one, they lose that appeal; I'm not sure who would buy something like this, it doesn't make much sense in this country.
None of the charm of an original and all the disadvantages of an off-road heavily modified vehicle - not for me.
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