Early Range Rovers have been on the upward trajectory for quite some time, to the point that savvy sellers are now looking for pristine gray market examples to sell stateside. As it stands right now, early U.S. models are pulling strong money, but the real jackpot is with two-door models that rarely pop up for sale in the lower 48. This early production four-door is made ever rarer for being a limited edition model known as a Tor edition, which offered special colors and other cosmetic treatments. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $28,000 or best offer and the listing ending tonight.
Not much information is readily available about the Tor edition, and you can just barely make out the badge/emblem on the lower right corner of the tailgate. From what I can find, it was purely cosmetic in nature, offering customers the opportunity to spec colors and interiors not typically offered in the Range Rover catalog. If any of our readers know more confidently what the package consisted of, please feel free to weigh in below. Whatever it consisted of, the paintwork and overall cosmetics on this Range Rover are nothing short of stunning, and with mileage of just over 54,000, it’s entirely possible it’s completely original.
The interior is Range Rover at its best, completely spartan, and devoid of any significant luxuries. The Rover is even equipped with the desirable gearbox, making it one of the purest expressions of Range Rover’s DNA you could ask for. It’s hard to believe this is the same company that today prides itself on over-complicated suspension systems and electronics that are practically begging to fail. The interior is as mint as the outside, with no obvious flaws. There are no cracks in the dash, no tears in the upholstery, and the carpets and door panels present extremely well.
What blows my mind with this picture is how blatantly Isuzu copied Range Rover’s front end. If I could show you this exact angle of my 1986 Trooper project, you’d swear you were looking at one vehicle from the same manufacturer. I always felt the older Troopers were Rovers in miniature, but this confirms it. The seller notes the 3.5L V8 is in fine condition with no issues to report, and benefits from recent maintenance including spark plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, transmission flush, and more. Given the collectibility of the older Rovers and the additional rareness of the Tor models, this one seems like a smart buy, especially if the seller accepts a lower offer.
4WD AND three pedals… Those were the days.
Roll-up windows, manual trans, 4X4 – what not to like!
Why doesn’t anybody make this kind of vehicle again? I’m sure there’s a market for bare bones utilitarian models. How about it, China? Do you really want to conquer the US market? Maybe India, or Russia. What if some foreign manufacturer came out with a repro Scout, or Bronco? Or a basic 356? Now I’m getting carried away.
Sadly by the time the vehicle passes the required safety and emissions certification you could not have something like this. It’s restomod only I’m afraid.
I believe that the ‘Tor’ name commemorates the hilltop features on the moors of south west England.
‘Dartmoor’, which also housed a notorious maximum security prison, held an annual and fairly extreme competition to hike 50 miles and climb 10 Tors within a 2 day period – My muscles still remember that weekend after almost 50 years.
As these vehicles were originally utilitarian in nature, but upscale from the basic land rovers, it makes sense that the landowner would want to be able to ‘drive up the hill’ in his very capable Range Rover.
I would love to have this rig up here in Alaska as it is exactly what I would really like to have – a classic design, simple, versatile, all weather, go anywhere, don’t care if it gets dirty, vehicle and yet It is still unusual enough to illicit comment from the car community.
I should be glad it is nowhere near local.
I remember when the Range Rover looked like this. The ones I’ve seen didn’t have manual gearbox. I don’t think it was even available with a diesel engine at this point. Compared to later Range Rover models, I find this to be the best looking generation.
I guys. TOR was a badge deliver as regular equipment for the RR sold in Italy during the eighties. TOR meens Targhetta Originale Registro. I have exactly the same RR. Mine is from 1983, air con / alloy wheels anb cubby box. This one is beautifull !! congrats, quite rare from nowdays..