scruff Posted September 1, 2015 Posted September 1, 2015 September 1994. British agriculture is in a slump. However, diversification and the new EU subsidies are the new buzzwords and one Cheshire barley baron decides to treat himself to a new motor. He's been running a mildly poshed-up Land Rover for a few years, but it's not really cutting it anymore, and despite a few recalls and much warranty work, that Diesel Turbo motor hasn't been very reliable. Our man is also now head of the family empire, with a greater standing in the local community and landlord to many peasants tenants. Yes, it's definitely time for new wheels, but what? By chance, what was once the world's greatest magazine is available at the local Post Office. With topical content. Further reading comes from The Autocar's September 28th issue. Smitten by the Solihull products and the promise of a good trade in price, our man is presented with all the bumpf for the NEW Range Rover... However he is naturally cautious of the new technology and also incredibly tight. The outgoing 'Classic', with dealer discount taken into account, is cheaper. And just look at it... Being a farmer our man goes for the diesel Vogue, specifying a manual box, tow pack and heated screen. In Ardennes Green... With the standard Brogue Velour. No doubt the deal may have been sweetened by some of the stylish merchandise on offer at the dealership. Eleven years and four owners later... My dad bought it. Seven years faultless service later... Dad gave it to me, and two months later I seized it solid on the M1 at 75mph. Despite getting a replacement engine the week afterwards it has been 18 months before I had the arsedness to do anything to it. My reluctance was compounded by the knowledge that all was not well in the RR's superstructure. However I brokered a deal with a good mate who has had it down in his workshop, swapped the engine, replaced the sills, patched the floor etc and got it a new MoT. (With the excellent assistance of AS' own SKOZE) Here's how it looks today: It's covered in scratches, dents and dings, the tailgates are both borked and the scuttle below the windscreen has severe 'Len Hatred'. The interior is pretty good bar the usual headlining held up with drawing pins; it's had genuine mats and seat covers which have kept things tidy. I insured it today for a bargain price with RH, then taxed it and went out with the wife this afternoon. It drives lovely! OK its no V8 (I've had those and they are ace) but it's still good. Priority job is to splash some rustproofer about in a vain attempt to keep it semi-solid then look for some tailgates, doors etc etc (if I can be arsed) Lacquer Peel, brickwall, Jim Bergerac and 22 others 25
stripped fred Posted September 1, 2015 Posted September 1, 2015 Nice write up and nice motor! I am well jealous.
garethj Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 Lovely. Last time I looked prices were taking off for the early shape Range Rovers, they're more popular than a lock of chewbacca's hair at a sci-fi convention.
Shep Shepherd Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 Fantastic write-up. Fantastic car, too
dome Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 Terrible. I'd best take it off your hands so you don't have to be troubled with it. Especially if its an auto 300tdi 1-49 in the roffle please... purplebargeken 1
Semi-C Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 That looks smart, that looks clean,Especially in Ardennes Green.Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire,Is it suspended on air? That's got style, that's got grace.Have the diesels got good pace?Garfield Morgan, Carol SmillieYour R-R is fitter than Rachel Riley. Vogue.... Pillock, garethj, Rocket88 and 9 others 12
BavarianRetro Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 Bloody Hell. John Cooper Clark is on Autoshite. Or Mark Miwurdz? Ghosty 1
Sigmund Fraud Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 Brilliant ! I can't help thinking that if the first owner had gone down the P38 route, the story would have had a slightly different (and potentially much earlier) ending... Essex V6 1
scruff Posted September 2, 2015 Author Posted September 2, 2015 It's a manual cog-swapper and has been on coils since day 1. I love my series one but driving this around after 18 months of living in 1952/driving lorries has been a revelation. That driving position and view, cliched though it is, is just the nutz. Everyone should have an RRC at least once. dome, Rusty_Rocket, Lacquer Peel and 1 other 4
michael1703 Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 I had a 200 tdi Range Rover Classic in Ardennes green and cloth interior. Bloody loved it until some shitehawk drove into me and we had a head on which killed it
twosmoke300 Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 That looks smart, that looks clean,Especially in Ardennes Green.Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire,Is it suspended on air? That's got style, that's got grace.Have the diesels got good pace?Garfield Morgan, Carol SmillieYour R-R is fitter than Rachel Riley. Vogue....The wife and I laughed out loud at that ! Semi-C 1
Parky Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 I loved the reference to Garfield Morgan. Haskins from the Sweeney! What made you think of him? Needless to say that song will never be the same again! Semi-C and scruff 2
Lord Sterling Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Nice, I like the shot of the speedometer, it's exactly the same one as the ones used in the Rover 800. scruff 1
scruff Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 Does anybody fancy taking this on?? It has a few issues - needs an ABS pump, oil pressure sender, bonnet release cable and one rear door doesn't open and the tailgate won't latch - but it's MOT'd until August 26th and drives OK. £1500 anyone?
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now