1979 Range Rover Classic

Our seller bought this lovely two-door Classic last year, joining a Land Rover Defender in his garage. The intention was that it would be his daily driver but he quickly realised that its excellent condition and the rising fuel prices meant that this was no longer a viable option. Reluctantly therefore he has decided to sell it in order to by something more sensible – a sad day!

The previous owner bought the car in 1981, when it was just two years old and there began a family’s love affair with this iconic 4x4. It had covered 20,000 miles by three owners and the original receipt show that he paid £7,320 for it.

The Range Rover was then pressed into service as a ‘high days and holidays’ car, used for weekends away exploring the Welsh coastline. In 40 years of ownership only 50,000 further miles were added, and to ensure it was protected from the elements the owner had a purpose-built garage made just to house it.

Subject to a continual programme of improvements during the long-term ownership, the Range Rover now boasts such luxuries as a new radio with quad speakers, a dash cam and battery isolator switch.

Electric front windows were also added and to improve the handling, Bearmach anti-roll bars front and rear were fitted.

A major rebuild took place in the mid-2000s, with a new chassis fitted amongst other things, but more about that later.

Ill health forced the sale, and our seller was the lucky beneficiary of that.

So, if a Range Rover Classic is on your shopping list, look no further as we feel we have one of the very best on sale here.

Resplendent in Arctic White, the Range Rover had a full professional respray during the rebuild. At the same time new front wings, inner panels and rear quarter panels were fitted. Sadly, the bills for this work are missing from what is otherwise a full and detailed history.

A quick trawl of our extensive photo gallery should be enough to confirm that the work was done to a high standard, the car being carefully stored and used subsequently.

Panel gaps and shut lines look neat and precise and we struggle to find anything to criticise, and we do look!

The Range Rover still sports original Rostyle wheels which have doubtless been refurbished. Premium Michelin tyres are fitted all round and as we always like to point out, care taken with tyre choice is usually a good sign of conscientious classic car ownership.

The eagle-eyed may have spotted that the wing mirrors are not period correct, the previous owner having lived through a time when it was fashionable to make cars look as new as possible.

In the same vein, a dual light and painted white grill conversion had also been carried out. Our seller had this removed and a new correct grill fitted – perfect!

The interior is in remarkable shape. The brushed bronze velour upholstery looks almost as sumptuous as the day the car rolled down the production line, bar a small hole in the drivers seat backrest, helped in no small part by special seat covers which were fitted and are included in the sale.

Matching coloured carpets look to have stood the test of time well, as have the door cards and headlining.

The electric windows can sometimes need a helping hand to rise to their closed position, so perhaps a little investigation is required here.

There is a dash cam mounted just above the rear-view mirror, simple enough to remove if not required.

A modern Kenwood CD/radio is fitted discreetly, and it is connected to quad speakers. The original Range Rover radio/cassette player is included in the sale.

The driving position is imperious, the view out quite excellent, ensuring this is an easy car to place precisely on the road. Fire up the V8, grab that long gear lever that falls easily to hand, select first gear and you are off, with a surprising turn of speed.

It should be noted that the original speedometer packed up when reading 53,000 miles, so add to that the 16,822 now showing for a true and accurate mileage reading. Modest to say the least.

The boot space is vast and accommodating and the back bench seats fold down easily if longer loads are to be carried. The spare wheel is easily accessible at the side and is in good order, and there are the tools etc required should a tyre change be necessary. There is even a set of snow chains, useful perhaps in the very worst winter weather

We always include plenty of pictures of a car’s underside and that is the case here. Prepare to be impressed!

A new chassis was fitted, that much we have already told you, but it has been galvanised too. We suspect that since the work was carried out, the Range Rover seems unlikely to have ventured out in bad weather, never mind putting a wheel in so much a muddy field.

Also on display is the stainless-steel exhaust and many other shiny new components. The long-term owner’s philosophy was careful and considered maintenance and it shows. And let us not forget the Bearmach anti-roll bars.

The engine compartment too, shows all the hallmarks of care and attention and presents really well.

Also fitted is a Fairey Overdrive unit, which cost the princely sum of £696 when it was installed many years ago. It aids long distance cruising without a doubt.

If ever there was a car with a comprehensive service history, then this is it! There are invoices for the whole of the long-term owner’s 40 year with the car, so pause a while and have a read. We admire the attention to detail, which is quite rare these days.

Missing, sadly are the invoices showing the comprehensive rebuild, but the car’s condition speaks volumes in this regard.

In addition to the bills, the history file includes the handbook, multiple brochures, and a factory parts catalogue.

The last MoT test was carried out in February 2020, a pass attained with no advisories. The milometer was reading 16,762 and few miles have been covered since.

Prior to that was a test in 2015, with three minor advisories which were clearly attended to. Mileage then 16,758.

We challenge you to find a nicer Range Rover Classic for sale today. Fastidious maintenance by one long-term owner, means that this is a car that could readily be pressed into everyday use as was our seller’s intention.

It is more likely to be used as a car for special occasions and weekend drives, though it is undoubtedly a vehicle worth taking to car shows, where a lot of attention will be guaranteed.

We are confident the listing for this ‘Classic’ will garner plenty of interest, so we would urge you to place a bid without delay.

A guide price of £20,000 to £25,000 should point you in the right direction.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’