2004 Overfinch 580S (L322)

This 2004 example is a credit to its former keepers, and there aren’t many of them. The first was Overfinch themselves, who reportedly used it as a demonstration vehicle. ‘They threw the catalogue at it,’ says current owner, Ben, who has kept it in climate-controlled storage throughout his five years as its keeper, and hardly driven it. Although he can’t prove it, he believes this is the highest-spec Overfinch L322 in the world.

It is also one of very few of those original 8 still powered by the 5.0-litre engine as conceived by Overfinch. Well, not quite how they conceived it. After many years of research, Ben believes that most, if not all, have suffered block failure, as the over-boring process had pushed the V8 as far as its it would go. The standard solution for most examples of the 580S, but not this one, has been to replace the blown engine with a standard 4.4 V8. But more about that later…

Thankfully, pedestrians get almost as much pleasure from this Range Rover as the occupants. Walk around the car you can’t help noticing the sculpted Overfinch bodykit, comprising front spoiler, sideskirts and rear splitter housing two shining tailpipes. Most of these lower sections of the car were given a fresh coat of Zambezi Silver around the same time as the engine rebuild, and the bodywork all round remains in what Ben bravely describes as ‘flawless condition’. It is certainly very good.

The wheels too are Overfinch’s own tasty 22in 12-spoke ‘Tiger’ alloys, shod with a matching set of 235/85 Accelera tyres that also date from around five years ago. These alloys aren’t the same rims that the car originally wore, but could be found in Overfinch’s catalogue at the time, making them period correct. Thanks to a professional refurbishment they gleam brightly, although Ben does admit to having slightly curbed one of them.

One concession to modernity are the huge, drilled brakes at the front with their eight-pot Brembo calipers. Although genuine Overfinch items, the discs are actually larger than those in the original package, and were specced for a later model. Better stopping power is always a good thing though – especially given what’s under the bonnet.

The interior of the L322 generation Range Rover really can be considered a masterpiece of automotive design – simple, elegant, and reassuringly plush. It obviously wasn’t enough for the discerning first owner of this example though.

Hop inside and you can’t fail to be impressed by the magnificent Overfinch trim package. Its condition could only be described as superb. Zoom in on our high-res photos and you’ll see just how well preserved the trim is, especially considering the miles on the clock. Reportedly unrestored, totally original and smelling just like a Rolls Royce, the cabin is clad with Overfinch’s ox leather in a handsome two-tone colour scheme, with a roll of suede (not Alcantara) for the dash top. The carpets are all in lovely condition and the leather is a treat for the fingertips, with virtually no creasing on any of the seats – even the driver’s side – and the stitching is remarkably good too.

The polished walnut lends a beautifully warm glow, and is in superb order all around the fascia. You’ll find some small cracks on the varnish around the steering wheel, but remarkably little for a vehicle of this age.

Entertainment comes from a Harman Kardon Logic 7 stereo system, and luxuries include heated electric seats, touch-screen infotainment system with DVD player, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors – everything you’d expect to find on a top-spec Range Rover of its day. Remarkably, Ben reports that everything on this vehicle works.

Overfinch’s final party-piece was to install an extra couple of rear-facing seats in the boot, a costly extra that gives true 7-seater capacity. (Who needs a Discovery after all?) When load lugging is the order of the day, the seats fold upwards to reveal most of the original boot floor.

Not that load lugging ever seems to have been part of this car’s duties, although it is fitted with a tow bar – should Sir ever be required to fetch Madam’s ponies from across the county.

What really distinguishes this particular 580S is the treatment that’s been given to its engine. After purchasing the car with a slight misfire – an emerging symptom of a damaged cylinder wall – Ben spent eye-watering sums having it professionally stripped and rebuilt using cylinder liners to overcome the original weakness, and prevent failure for the next owner. The work, done by ‘a dear local firm’ around five years ago, has resulted in an engine that’s ‘really over-engineered now,’ says Ben. ‘It cost an absolute fortune but this was the only way of doing it if we wanted to retain the original block.’

While the V8 was in bits the heads were gas-flowed and given new valve stem seals, the VANOS system was tested, and new bearings went into the bottom ends. New timing chains were fitted, and all the ancillaries were renewed, including water pump and radiator, plus an uprated thermostat. Everything was documented and ‘cleaned to perfection,’ says Ben. Judging by the build photos accompanying the car, we’ve no reason to doubt him.

Meanwhile, the running gear was given a thorough overhaul, with new front suspension arms, drop links and bushes all round.

Today the underside has some areas of surface corrosion but nothing severe. There are no warning lights or error messages on the dash, and the car is totally empty of all fault codes.

Out on the road, this translates into a car that drives like a new Range Rover. The engine is very strong and highly vocal, thanks to the full Overfinch exhausts, and stopping power is excellent. ‘It’s just a brute,’ Ben says warmly – but a civilised one nonetheless. The air suspension rides beautifully, and overall the car promises hugely rewarding motoring for its next owner. 

*** 2 new videos showing the engine and suspension have just been added ***

Judging by the amount of attention and money that Ben has spent, you might guess he’s something of an enthusiast. And you’d be right – he’s a dyed-in-the-lambswool Range Rover guy. Carried home from the hospital in his dad’s Classic, he’s now owned dozens of Rangies, and can’t helping waxing lyrical over his Overfinch 580S if given half a chance.

Since its refurbishment around five years ago, the car has done ‘absolutely bugger all,’ admits Ben. ‘I just squirreled it away.’ That said, he’s been sensible enough to keep it religiously MOTed. Scroll back through the MOT history (which has impressively few failure points and advisories over the years) and you’ll find only a short hiatus of a couple of years (2014/2015) while the refurbishment work was being carried out.

At that time there were around 115,000 miles one the clock, and five years later the odometer reads a little over 116,000 (rising slightly as the vehicle is seeing occasional use these days).

The engine has received its first service since its build, and Ben advises an additional oil change within the next 500 miles to complete the running in procedure. A fresh MoT will be supplied for the vehicle’s new owner, as the current ticket is due to expire in June.

The car comes with an Overfinch certificate of authenticity, dated May 2020, confirming that the Aero Styling Package, bespoke interior, Overfinch scuff plates, Tiger alloys, brake upgrade and 5.0-litre engine are all genuine Overfinch fitments.

Although there isn’t a large stack of receipts to accompany the car, there is a service booklet whose stamps are all from Land Rover main dealers – the latest being Stratstone Land Rover in Bury. Their inspection was carried out in 2014 at 114,149 miles. A range of original handbooks is included and, crucially, a bill showing the extent of engine rebuild, which cost Ben a shade under £6000 in 2016.

You might be able to guess from the unusually wide estimate of £13,000-£22,000 that we’re hesitant to nail a value to such a singular car. The 580S so rarely comes to market, and it’s likely that this particular example stands in a category of its own, so we’re placing no reserve on the sale, and letting bidders decide its value.

This could end up being one thundering bargain…

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.

Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.