PH Annual Service | Twisted Range Rover Classic
Twisted's boss has built his dream Range Rover Classic - now he invites you to do the same
Given all the things Twisted has turned its hand to in recent years - speedboats very much among them - it’s a wonder that it hasn’t previously gotten around to the Range Rover Classic, a model that would appear to suit its inclinations down to the ground. Probably, it has its hands full with the classic Defender, the car it has enthusiastically (and cannily) become synonymous with. But also, it seems there is a chance that it has been holding off for the right moment.
At least that’s the way Twisted frames it, the prototype said to have been a ‘personal project’ for founder and wayfinder, Charles Fawcett. Given the firm’s preoccupation with the details, it is unsurprising that the build encompassing his vision reportedly took 2,500 hours to complete. Nor that the resulting special project will result in a vanishingly small production run: even for a specialist used to dealing with wistful memories of yesteryear, it is intended to be something special.
It certainly looks it. The wonderful thing about restomodded Range Rover Classics (much like the Defender) is that precious little tweaking of the styling is required. The car is already an industrial design icon; too much tampering risks dilution. But there is no denying the transformative effect of wider tracks and bigger wheels. Of course, yours need not look precisely like Charlie’s— in fact, the plan is that any interested buyer will sit down with the boss himself (and the technician responsible for doing the actual work) and plan out what their vision looks like.
Two elements, at any rate, appear to be set in stone. One, for the moment, is the three-door shell (although you’d imagine Twisted’s willpower would be tested by a sufficiently large pile of cash). And two, the engine. Which is likely to suit most buyers on the basis that Charlie has chosen one of his favourites: the always popular 6.2-litre V8 in LT1 format. Sufficient for 460hp and 509lb ft of torque via a custom-modified eight-speed auto.
This, in a car that did not exceed the modest output of a 4.2-litre Rover V8 back in its day. As you might expect, alongside a strengthened chassis, this has meant the prototype receiving Twisted’s bespoke suspension setup, including the uprated brakes you’re certainly going to need. The firm doesn’t quote performance figures for the Classic, but you’d imagine them to be similarly mighty to the kind of response you get from one of its V8-endowed Defenders.
The price tag, we’d imagine, will be even mightier. Twisted would not be drawn on the kind of number it’s willing to discuss - simply describing the car as POA - but it goes without saying that you’re going to be a long way into a speedboat budget. The firm, of course, would be delighted to discuss both at the same time. What better venue to do that in than a sunlit Bicester Motion? Expect Charlie’s Range Rover Classic to draw a crowd either way.
Mine is a bit more subtle but with a 4.8 v8, big valve heads and on megasquirt it goes nicely enough.
Mine is a bit more subtle but with a 4.8 v8, big valve heads and on megasquirt it goes nicely enough.
Of course the colour schemes are easily changed. The yellow colour is lovely (is it classic sand glow or different?)but best married with a black interior (and I am not a fan normally of black interiors). I’d go for one of the other classic paint colours like Tuscan Blue or Warwick Green.
Mine is a bit more subtle but with a 4.8 v8, big valve heads and on megasquirt it goes nicely enough.
But aside form that, I think that's a decent resto.
NB, went through 6 gearboxes with my OverFinch, the engine kept killing transfer box viscus couplings till I had a 1973 chain drive version installed. Box was ZF four-speed
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