Cars

To the manor reborn - 'as good as new' classic Range Rover unveiled

Land Rover has launched the Range Rover Reborn, an as-good-as-new factory restoration of the original luxury SUV
Land Rover has launched the Range Rover Reborn, an as-good-as-new factory restoration of the original luxury SUV Land Rover has launched the Range Rover Reborn, an as-good-as-new factory restoration of the original luxury SUV

IF you have around £135,000 that you simply must spend on a Range Rover - it is one of the most credible contenders for the 'world's best car' title, after all - then Land Rover has made life a little more complicated.

You could splash the cash on something like a 2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic - all 542bhp, 2.5 tonnes and 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds of stately elegance of it - or, thanks to the company's 'Range Rover Reborn' programme, invest in a completely factory restored 1978 classic version, in period 'Bahama Gold' paintwork.

Every Range Rover Reborn will undergo a complete restoration according to the company's original 1970s' factory specification and using Land Rover Classic Parts to preserve and protect the vehicle's authenticity.

Land Rover's restoration team advises customers of the best options for base vehicles, in terms of collectability, preferred chassis numbers and unique characteristics, with prices for completed restorations starting from £135,000.

There is a growing trend for 'new old' versions of classic cars, chiefly driven by British manufacturers.

Jaguar, Land Rover's sister company, is building 'new' E-Type and XK SS models for its wealthiest customers and Land Rover already has a scheme to restore Series I Land Rovers. Aston Martin has announced it is to build continuation versions of its DB4 GT sports car from 1959.

"Range Rover Reborn is another showcase of our dedicated in-house engineering expertise," said Tim Hannig of Jaguar Land Rover Classic.

"It underscores our commitment to nurturing the rich heritage of Land Rover, and is a rare opportunity for customers to own a valuable and genuinely collectible automotive icon.

"It is a wonderful way to preserve the much sought after three-door original Range Rover from the 1970s, from period-correct colour ways to interior trim and accessories."

The Range Rover was launched in 1970, originally in two-door configuration only, up to 1981, when the first factory four-door was introduced, and remained popular right up to the end of the first generation's production in 1996.

So popular, in fact, that production of the first generation continued alongside the second generation for almost two years, and the name Classic Range Rover was introduced to distinguish this model from its more modern sibling.

The Range Rover is one of the few cars to justify 'icon' billing and it remains the definitive luxury SUV - and arguably the vehicle which makes the most persuasive case for being 'the best car in the world'.