The Range Rover Classic is for sure a future classic, as it represents the final year that the classic British SUV resembled its past far more than anything that was to come in the subsequent years. The model shown here is a final year example in long wheelbase form, and it’s attracting strong bidding at the moment to the tune of just under $29,000. While many of these languish on sites like craigslist and Marketplace for far less, this Range Rover appears to have been loved. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $40,000.
The seller notes he purchased the Range Rover off of the long-term second owners in Connecticut, who almost certainly kept it out of the winter slush and sand given there doesn’t appear to be much rust. The Rover has some cosmetic flaws from general use but hardly anything to indicate years of abuse. That’s the trick with these Rovers – finding one that hasn’t gone down the slippery slope of wanton neglect, spurred on by years of owners who couldn’t afford the upkeep or simply didn’t care to.
As I’ve mentioned in the past, I briefly owned a similar model – a 1995 LWB, to be exact – after spotting it on the side of the interstate. To this day, I am not sure what compelled me to pursue it, other than knowing the final year models with the extended wheelbase were somewhat sought after. What a train wreck – the truck was a disaster, and I ended up selling it as a parts rig for what I paid for it. The interior, while completely trashed, was quite spacious, and seeing one in nicely preserved condition reveals just how livable these rigs are.
Here’s a clue as to how nice this Rover likely is: it’s nigh impossible to find one of these with woodgrain trim in excellent shape along with a factory radio still in place. The short period of time in which I owned mine led me to search for some parts rigs in local boneyards (ironically, I was buying parts for what would become a parts truck) and none of them had dashboards this clean. This Rover is getting close to its magic number but I suspect $35,000 is a more likely number for a truck like this.
My wife daily drove ours (identical to the subject truck) while I spent many weekends wrenching on it. Lots and lots of things needing constant attention on these. But it was a lovely truck. I finally had it when the drive chain in the transaxle let go. I could have fixed it, but I felt done. Sold it to a young English kid for $4k. His plan was to put it in a container and ship it back to its origin and make money. I have these on my eBay search and am already watching this one, but I don’t think I would do this again.
I thought these were really cool rigs until
I read of the crazy prices for parts/accessories,
& repairs.
Wonderful ride, overpriced.
Needs pictures of the underside, and the new buyer needs to know if the EAS system is intact and working properly, or has been converted. Without that, it is not really what it is supposed to be. There is delamination of the woodgrain accents, especially the center console/window switch area. By and large, a nice looking example, but areas that would indicate rust cannot be seen. Buyer should have someone familiar with Land Rovers look at this if they are not very familiar with them. Too bad the engine bay was not photographed.
I do not recall any LWB models that came through without 5 disc CD players (not listed in description), which were mounted in the right rear corner accessible by a rectangular panel.
We had an identical truck, Beluga Black with Cognac interior. Complete POS. Two months into ownership, Rover hosted a jamboree that included mud pits, log obstacles and a slalom course. We had a great time, but on the way home the adjustable suspension failed. Off to the dealer. A couple of months later, we participated in a FWD jam near Naples, FL. Had a great time until the suspension failed, again. Flat bed home across the state, service writer going over the issues is alarmed when he opens the hood to find mud EVERYwhere.
“Where have you been?!?” he cries… I said “we didn’t buy it to drive to the fu**%ing mall”. We were happy to be rid of it by early ’97.
This last gen were junk. Buy an early alloy body, drop in an LS and have fun.
The perfect U- Pull- it candidate. I have known and towed many with these things. I will give folks with these credit as they are diehard loyalists. I know one, he pokes fun of my, as he says it worthless junk but it was nice beeping the horn as I rode by him in my 50+ year old convertible while his head was buried under the …..bonnet of one of his priceless garage mechanic’s friends….