79 Retro Garage has available for sale this amazing 81 RANGE ROVER Classic V8, fully restored in the fantastic and rare color Sandglow.

The original Range Rover defined a whole generation of motoring history…it stands tall amongst the greats. Amongst the titans that give life to the automotive world.
- 1st unveiled to the public on June 17th 1970, near St. Agnes Mines in Cornwall, UK.
It became clear, from very early on, that the Range Rover was destined for success. It sold out, almost immediately. In 1971, people had a wait list that went up to 1974. In fact, the demand was so high, the idea of making a 4door version had to wait until 1980 because Land Rover wasn´t capable of keeping up with market´s demands. The idea of conquering the US market (which was one of Land Rover´s main objectives), had to wait 17 years! Imagine that and let it sink in…
Its design was sophisticated and unparalleled, the work of art crafted from Charles Spencer King´s genius was met with immediate appraise, Spen King understood the need for merging a regular saloon into Land Rover´s 4x4 platforms. Beautifully mated to the “rediscovered” Buick 215cu V8, it was, “the stuff of legends”… now you know why the Range Rover will forever be known as “the King”.
It became timeless. Its legendary history is too large to mention. 25 years on the production line with the same design behind it. It was so so successful that when the 2nd generation was released, Land Rover was afraid that the Range Rover Classic might impact sales…which it did…so they ended it. The Range Rover Classic generation came to an end on February 11th, 1996, after more than 316.000 units sold. It never really ended…gathering thousands of enthusiasts worldwide, the legend lives on.
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Our example, here for sale, is part of that same history. Marking the beginning of the 1980s, where the Range Rover really established himself as the luxury 4x4 that we know nowadays.
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Relevant data:
- Engine: 3528cc Rover V8 carburettor fed SOLEX/Zenith Stromberg CD175
- Gearbox: 4 speed LT95 with central vacuum operated diff lock
- Colour: “Sandglow” – rare factory painted
- Body: 2 door configuration 1980 Model Year – Transition year.
Interior:
- Original seats, preserved with age related marks, beautiful original condition and patina, these are extremely hard to find. A Refined improvement of the 80s, being 1980 the 1st year they were introduced.
- 4 spoke, leather covered, steering wheel, full original palomino floor mats and centre transmission tunnel mat. All of the interior that could be preserved original was preserved, replacing only what couldn’t be saved/salvaged.
- Original gauges, revised electrics, everything works as they should, new window seals, all new door cards, kick panels and pillar trims making this example a well-balanced car still with some nice patina from all the original trim and interior.
Exterior:
- Complete body off restoration, bare aluminium. All parts are original and belong to the car, we took an effort in preserving the Range Rover´s history, same with the interior. Body was completely disassembled, all repairs properly done and reassembled.
- 1980 Model Year, all key details were preserved, such as: satin black engine bay (inner wings and bulkhead), transmission tunnel and rear passenger floor step & panel, satin black front and rear bumpers (rear bumper still contains its original steel end caps, which were deleted from production later in 1980/1981 and replaced by rubber end caps (front & rear)). Vinyl covered C pillars with the appropriate fabric.
- Rear lights are extremely rare, black edged rear fog lamp types, which are original of 1980 & 1981 models, front indicators are still the clear lenses “non black edge” and front headlamps are genuine 80s H4 Lucas. Original door mirrors and bonnet & tailgate lettering. As mentioned before, we did our very best in preserving its originality and sourcing the right parts.
Mechanical:
- Completely stripped and refurbished front & rear axles. New bearings, new shims, new seals, new gaskets, new brake disks and pads, overhauled callipers, new UJs, new CVs, new brake & clutch pipes, new clutch slave and master cylinder (originals were refurbished). Overhauled brake servo, its stops and drives and goes through the gears as it should.
- Complete engine rebuild, new pistons, new rings, new big end and small end bearings, new cam and followers, heads rebuilt and tested, new gaskets, new seals, new timing chain, new sprocket, fully rebuilt carburettors, etc etc. Too many things to list.
- Complete gearbox rebuild, new bearings, new shims, new seals, new gaskets, new syncros, new brake shoes, etc.

-All informations provied does not dispense your confirmation, nor can be considering binding.
-For more information do not hesitate to contact us.
-Service exclusively by appointment.