1982 Range Rover 4x4 Estate
Registration no. EPW 112Y
Chassis no. SALLHAMV1AA122085

An outstanding landmark design that almost single-handedly created the booming market in dual-purpose 4x4s, the Range Rover was greeted with universal acclaim on its arrival in 1970 and has remained the class leader, despite ever increasing foreign and domestic competition, ever since. The idea of a more road-biased 4x4 had been around since the Land Rover's arrival in the late 1940s, but it would be some two decades before the concept crystallised in what would end up as the Range Rover. Spen King and Gordon Bashford were responsible for the initial conception, with final detailing entrusted to David Bache. A separate, Land Rover type chassis was employed to carry the enclosed aluminium body, while long-travel coil-sprung suspension ensured that the ride would be more saloon car than utility. Rover already possessed an ideal power unit in the form of its 3.5-litre light alloy V8.

The Range Rover was greeted enthusiastically by both press and public on its arrival in 1970, offering comfortable cruising at 90mph (145km/h) and a greater off-road capability than most of its customers would ever need. The fact that the original lasted in production for an amazing 24 years before being replaced in 1994 only serves to illustrate the soundness of the original concept. Indeed, the 'old' Range Rover - evocatively renamed Range Rover Classic - did not disappear immediately but continued to be built for another year alongside the new version.

Offered for sale here is a beautiful example of an early four-door Range Rover. Now rarer than the 'Suffix A' two-door cars, these early four-door models have a similar look and feel but with the practicality of four doors, just like everyone always wanted. An exceptionally clean and un-restored UK car, 'EPW 112Y' has covered circa 88,000 miles from new and fewer than 100 miles in the last ten years. It was dry stored throughout the latter period, and appears to have been similarly well cared for throughout its entire life. Indeed, where the original foam pads on the plastic sill covers touch the steel sill there is no rot - a very rare occurrence - and the car appears never to have been welded. Accompanying documentation consists of an old-style logbook, a quantity of expired MoTs, sundry bills, old/current V5C Registration Certificates, and MoT to May 2019. A wonderful opportunity for the collector of these fast-appreciating classics.