Early Range Rover - am mad?

[Job38]

Guys, I've always had a hankering for an early Range Rover, ideally 2 door and manual.

Am I mad?

What things to look out for and where to find one?

(complete Land Rover virgin)

[budrover]

The 2 door Range Rover became the favorite toy of the Offroader in the late 80's and 90's, similar to 200/300tdi discos are today.
People favored the 4 door version and the 2 door version look dated so were cheaper to buy as 'hacks'.

The 2 door Range Rover came with a 4 speed gearbox and a V8 running on carbs.

Problems
Sills / Inner wings (front&rear) / rear cross member / Upper & lower tailgates / Bonnets suffered Rust/corrosion.
V8 engine suffered 'black death' due to infrequent oil changes.
V8 engine suffered poor running due clockwork distributor and poor set up on carbs.
Gearbox-agricultral 4 speed but strong.
Seats were vinyl so split and looked tatty with age.
Centre tunnel was carpeted and looked 'dated' when 10 years old !!

The one to go for would be the CSK which was a limited run of 200.
http://www.rangerovercsk.com/

During the 80's /90's their was a company called Bluebird Engineering in Chester who use to refurbish Range Rovers with galvanised chassis and body shells refurbed....just incase you come across one.

Also best RR classic I owned was fitted with a Izusi 2.8tdi.


Keep an eye on these type of websites for a good one:-

Range Rover Register
http://www.rrr.co.uk/components/com_rdautos/images...

Huddersfield Land Rover Centre
http://www.landrovercentre.com/stock/OTHER_LAND_RO...

Dunsfold
http://www.dunsfold.com/

[300bhp/ton]

Job38 said:

Guys, I've always had a hankering for an early Range Rover, ideally 2 door and manual.

Am I mad?

What things to look out for and where to find one?

(complete Land Rover virgin)

General condition more than anything. Many have been restored nowadays if you want to spend more, although tatty ones can still be cheap. Pre 73's are tax exempt.

[jdw1234]

Does anyone know anything about the restored/updated ones referred to on the JEEngineering website?

I.e. ballpark price?

http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/classic-range-rover...

[budrover]

a decent 4.8 v8 is £8 to 10k ..... so can imagine a car from JE will be £40k plus --depends what you want.

[CraigW]

I bought the best LSE I could find, 1994 with circa 60k miles and one owner..

it was described as mint but it did still need things done.

I've spent a few quid to go along the lines of the JE car, no engine mods but i dont feel it needs to go quicker to be honest.

I've put better lights, new brakes & shocks & door seals (for wind noise prevention) along with rear park sensors, twin dvd screens and various other bits.

It now feels slightly more modern and is a nice comfy place to be. Get5s lots of positive attention too on the road.

Go in with eyes open is what i'd say. Costs can soon mount up if you buy what appears to be a bargain.

[jdw1234]

budrover said:

a decent 4.8 v8 is £8 to 10k ..... so can imagine a car from JE will be £40k plus --depends what you want.

Many thanks.

Expensive, but I love the idea!