﹒Sympathetic Restoration - incredible condition underneath and inside - first of its kind
﹒Featured in ‘Classic Land Rover’ magazine Sep 2020
﹒Early ‘Suffix A’ Range Rover
﹒Fantastically usable for everyday life
The Background
The original Range Rover - or ‘Classic’ as they are often known - came about to fulfil what seemed like a simple enough request: To build a vehicle that combines the comfort of a Rover saloon, with the off-road ability of the Land Rover. Seems simple enough, right?
Well, it turns out that was a rather good idea indeed. Decades later, almost every crossover/SUV can trace its origins and inspiration back to one of two vehicles - either the Jeep Wagoneer in the US, or the Range Rover, as you see here in the UK.
With only a mere ten prototypes built before the new ‘Range Rover’ went into full-on production, the recipe was pretty much spot-on from the beginning, despite seeming strange on paper. A three-door, lifted luxurious utilitarian vehicle? On wheels that small? It sounds crazy, but clearly it was just crazy enough to be genius.
That genius outlasted even the wildest dreams of the initial designers, enjoying a production run of over 25 years, with the final ‘classic’ rolling off the production line (after a multitude of adjustments, minor facelifts, and the like) in 1996.
Now, these early Range Rovers are becoming true collectors items, ideal for anything from off-roading, to showcasing style and taste around town, or even living out your dreams of becoming the ‘landed gentry’ driving around in one of these while they were new.
This example is a 1971 ‘Suffix A’ Range Rover from the second year of full production. The ‘Suffix A’ VIN cars were produced for three years, from 1970 to January 1973, and only went through minor cosmetic changes during this period.
On the outside, this may look like somewhat of a ‘survivor’ car, thanks to its attractive patina and original Tuscan Blue colour. However, look deeper, and you’ll realise not everything is as it seems. The vendor was set on a two-door, Tuscan Blue example, and this one ticked just about every box.
Subject to a “trendsetting” comprehensive ‘nut-and-bolt’ restoration, this is apparently the first so-called ‘sympathetic restorations’ carried out to a Range Rover Classic, choosing to refurbish just about the entire vehicle, but keep the original, weather-worn paintwork.
With a total of £14,000 being spent on the restoration of this ‘A’ it’s no surprise that it was featured in Classic Land Rover Magazine, an ideal platform to show off the incredible work that has been done to this example.
With plans to keep, use and enjoy the vehicle for many years having to change due to a change in circumstances, the vendor is now looking to pass on this stunning Range Rover Classic to its next guardian.
The restoration process has been fully documented with a wealth of invoices and statements of all work carried out. Examples of big expenditure are the interior retrim amounting to £2,800, while little costs such has new tires and inner tubes at £155 per corner show that no stone has been left unturned.
The V5 is present with the vehicle, and shows 16 former keepers. Of course, owing to its age, this vehicle is MOT exempt.
Inside is the first sign that not all is as it may seem from afar. The interior presents in absolutely fantastic condition, and you can almost smell that gorgeous ‘classic car smell’ just from looking at the photographs.
Except, it’s not really classic at all - the car was subject to a full interior retrim by Nationwide Trim, being kitted out in the correct ‘Kit Kat’ seats the car originally left the factory with. So, it’s new, but it’s completely authentic. The seats look as if they’ve barely even been used, ready for the new owner to break in.
Thankfully, the ‘sympathetic’ restoration approach has also been subjected to the interior, and we think it’s all the better for it. Original signs of wear and patina are present on areas such as the metal door triggers, steering wheel and dashboard, telling the story of this cars history. Other than this, the paintwork on the interior of the shell is completely new, contrasting well against the well-worn exterior.
The carpets do show signs of heavy use - particularly in the footwells - but this is all part of the joy of having a Range Rover Classic. This is a car that is designed to go around town with a sense of suave and class, but still get its boots dirty off the beaten track, so we’d expect to see a dirty carpet in a well-used example.
On the outside the Range Rover is truly a diamond in disguise. The external body panels have all been checked over, and ‘any rusty panels or sills’ have been replaced, according to the vendor. Of course, that’s not including the period ‘patina’ that you can see here, which is all part of the charm of this early Range Rover Classic.
The whole point of a ‘sympathetic’ restoration is to retain the charm and ‘age’ of the vehicle, and that has been done to absolute perfection here - this Range Rover looks like it’s been through years of service, but is probably in better condition than the majority of those on the road today. With vehicles like this, it’s all about what you can’t see, rather than what you can see.
Keen-eyed viewers will note the period-correct tires. These have been supplied by Blockley, and complement the ‘in period’ look perfectly.
The factory specified Tuscan Blue paintwork still looks fantastic with its patina, and stands out against just about any possible backdrop you can think of. In this day and age of boring black, grey, and silver cars seemingly taking over our roads, why not rebel, stand out a little, and drive a bright blue Range Rover Classic? We certainly can’t think of any objections.
The first thing that strikes you upon opening the bonnet isn’t just how clean it is, but how much space there is under there! The all-aluminium V8 may put out a healthy dose of power, but it’s a surprisingly compact unit.
Next, you notice that incredible texture and ageing on the underside of the bonnet - again, all genuine - giving this restored Range Rover a taste of ‘barn find’ speciality, without the associated headaches, dramas, or lack of usability.
The engine itself looks to be in good external condition, and we certainly haven’t been told anything to the contrary. In fact, the engine has been “taken apart, deep-cleaned and restored” according to the seller, with plenty of long journeys and small, everyday runs under its belt, which should be music to any potential purchasers’ ears. When originally taken apart, there was some damage to the crank found. Naturally, this was reground and new bearings fitted.
In addition to the engine work, the chassis has been shot blasted and repaired where necessary (including a new rear floorpan section), before being repainted. The rest of the running gear has also been checked over, and new parts such as bearings, gaskets, boots and other perishable items have been replaced. The sills of the vehicle have both been replaced, as has the fuel tank, along with new suspension, springs and bushes all around. Additionally, the axels have been stripped and the front swivels have been replaced. Normally the swivals are £80 ,but because this vehicle has original imperial axels, they were £375!
Importantly, the decision was made to keep the overdrive in place on the transmission, as it makes the Range Rover Classic far more usable on long-distance journeys. In fact, the seller described a journey from Snowdonia to Warwickshire in the car as being “effortlessly comfortable.’
The Range Rover Classic is truly one of the greats of British motoring history. From the iconic boxy bodywork to laying the foundations of almost all SUVs produced since its inception, the Range Rover is a real cornerstone of automotive history, and this one is a true gem.
If you’re looking for a ‘Suffix A’ Range Rover with weather-worn looks but mechanically sound and fully checked-through underpinnings, along with a past magazine feature, then this is the listing for you - what are you waiting for?
** The photos in this listing have been provided to us by the seller **
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
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1971 Range Rover Suffix A
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