1983 Range Rover 4 door 3528 cc

‘HWL 432Y’ is a 1983 four-door Range Rover Classic that benefits from having had a £7,000 partial restoration in 2014 that included new metalwork followed by a respray in Astral Silver.

Believed to have started life as a BBC executive’s company car, the seller bought it four years ago and has kept it in dry storage ever since.

The MoT record shows nothing more than light use since 2006, which means the recorded mileage may be accurate. However, that same limited use means it’ll almost certainly need some recommissioning but as it has a full MoT that might be restricted to just a full service. 

Either way, the need for this is reflected in the guide price, so #swingsandroundabouts, eh?

We don’t see many Astral Silver Range Rover Classics, which is a shame because it’s a terrific colour, isn’t it?

And given this one was painted a decade ago it’s holding up well but then it has done fewer than 4,000 miles since then and has spent the past four years in storage.

As for the underlying metalwork, no one at Audi or BMW ever lost a night’s sleep because of Land Rover quality control, so the fact the swagelines don’t line up as neatly as we’re used to seeing on premium cars shouldn’t be taken as a sign the restoration was done poorly. Ditto large shutlines that vary from panel to panel. 

More important, we think, are areas such as the tailgate, rear window surround, and sills; the Range Rover might have an alloy body but these areas, along with the bulkhead and the frame, are steel and will rust. 

This one looks very good though. We’ll talk about the chassis later but *spoiler alert* that looks solid too.

As an early 1980s car it’s got the old-style boot release handle too, plus exposed door hinges, separate locks on the front doors, a steel front grille, an exposed fuel filler cap, and narrow front and rear bumpers, the former of which has the cutout for a starting handle, which is indescribably cool. 

It’s deliciously retro without ever compromising the Range Rover’s iconic good looks.

Speaking of retro appeal, the 16-inch steel wheels are not only in good shape, they are also fitted with a matching set of Maxxis Marauder tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

And yet, despite this, they’re old now with a date stamp going back to 2011, so it’s no surprise that they’re age-perished need replacing. 

While we’re on the subject of jobs for you to do both front quarter-light frames are rusty, the windscreen has a big chip in it, there are some bubbles underneath the paint on the nearside rear door, and the rain channel around the roof (which was replaced during the restoration and swapped out for one without a sunroof) and a couple of the doors have some corrosion.

Cosmetically, the nearside front sidelight is cracked, the reflector in the nearside headlamp is tarnished, some of the fixing screws are rusty, and the front bumper has a few marks on it.

The tan interior straddles the generations between the somewhat spartan early cars and the walnut ‘n’ leather of the later ones – and that’s not damning with faint praise either because we like the way the car’s utilitarian design is underpinned by nothing more than the odd flash of luxury.

Like the wood that’s screwed to the top of the doors, and the carpet that’s glued to the bottom. 

And the square panels within the door cards that have a circular recess to make room for the manual window winder handles to rotate. 

And the mix of textile and vinyl used for the seats. 

And the way the four padded headrests are supplemented by auxiliary jobbies that are held on with press studs.

And the twin-spindle Sharp radio that sits to the right of the steering column. 

Of course, as with most classic cars there is a little work to do: the gear lever shroud has some extraneous holes in it; the rear door pull handles have seen better days; the steering wheel is shabby; the sunvisors are mildewed; some of the floor panels have started to rust; the carpets are grubby; and some of the woodwork could do with being sanded and revarnished but, as the property shows would put it, the vehicle has good bones.

The top of the dashboard is free of sun damage and screw holes, for example, and the inner rear wheelarches are solid.

The overall impression is of an honest and original interior that just needs some TLC to let it flourish.

The most recent maintenance paperwork is from December 2016, at which time it received a service that included new ignition components and a tune-up.

This built on a service two years previously that was carried out as part of its restoration and this also comprised new standard-height suspension springs and dampers in addition to a towing kit.

As you can see it starts readily and revs as it should, albeit with a loose fanbelt. 

The engine bay is a bit grubby but a decent valet would work wonders in bringing it up to a more satisfactory condition. This would leave a little work to do, not least in repainting the inner front wings which are solid but have light surface corrosion on them.

You could do worse than source some new underbonnet soundproofing too, and while you’ve got your credit card out you could order a couple of wire brushes and some Lanoguard because the chassis looks solid but scruffy.

The presence of a height-adjustable two bar is a real bonus too, although the presence of some drops of oil round the transmission is less so. 

But don’t be downhearted because half the fun of owning something like a Range Rover is the chance to fettle your way through the long winter months, isn’t it?

Not that there is much wrong because the Range Rover’s MoT certificate is valid until May 2025 and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

Its history file is a little sparse but there are plenty of old MoT certificates on file in addition to a couple of recent invoices. 

Oh, and the eleven previous owners might seem high but the seller tells us that he was told this is because it was used as a BBC company car and it was cheaper to insure it if it was registered in the person’s name who was going to be using it. 

The price of the Range Rover Classic has been rising inexorably in the past few years as a whole new generation has come to appreciate how well engineered they are – and what a delight a well-maintained one can be.

Because, after years in the doldrums when many limped from one MoT to another, we are starting to see cars like this emerge, ones that have endured the passage of time with the same ease they navigate mountain tracks and city streets.

Probably the ultimate in classic car versatility, we can’t think of many other vehicles that are as capable as this – and that you’ll look back to admire it every single time you park it is the icing on the cake. 

But those same qualities mean we estimate you’ll have to find somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000 to make it yours but given the way they’ve been appreciating for a long time now it might end up being one of the cheaper cars you’ve owned in the long run.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.