I'm so ashamed. I have bought a car that isn't a P6 for the first time in about 5 years.
However, all is not lost 'cos it's still a Rover. (sort of)
A while back I started thinking how handy it would be to have a vehicle more suited for camping, towing, and carting large quantities of P6 parts around. I had a ratty old Discovery a few years ago and loved it but it was very old and tired so I got shot of it before it started costing me too much money but I felt the time was right for something in a similar vein and thankfully, my missus agreed with me and gave the idea her blessing.
I had my heart set on a very early Range Rover 2 door, having seen a near mint one on Trade-me, I gave it my best shot but was thoroughly outbid in the closing minutes. But then the hunt was on, I E-mailed contacts, ran a wanted ad and scoured websites to find another one. Unfortunately, what I discovered is that early Rangies have all been thrashed to within an inch of their lives, have many non-original parts (including frequent diesel conversions) and are mostly in the South Island. Every single one I saw would have required many thousands of dollars to make them into a vaguely presentable vehicle.
I could have had my pick of mid to late '80s ones but they all seemed a bit common for my liking (and I do have a thing for the rare and unusual) so when this appeared on Trade-me, I just had to have it...
For those unfamiliar with Range Rovers, this is a 1994 County LWB. They were sold in the UK and most other markets as the LSE and they have an extra 8 inches in the wheelbase, all in back seat legroom as you can see. The County however was a USA market version (chrome bumpers ) and the sharper eyed amongst you may have noticed that it still retains it's LHD configuration. It is Beluga black with Sorrell leather, has the LSE/LWB only 4.2 litre efi V8, auto and pretty much every option available. Of course, being a mid '90s Land Rover product, most of these don't work anymore but at least that will give me something to do for a bit.
I've only had it 24 hours at this point but the highlight must be accidently setting the alarm off 3 times in my driveway last night at 10pm! (Sorry neighbours ) Still, I think it looks the business and needs enough fettling to keep me happy. And don't worry, I fully intend on tinting those windows as dark as I can!
However, all is not lost 'cos it's still a Rover. (sort of)
A while back I started thinking how handy it would be to have a vehicle more suited for camping, towing, and carting large quantities of P6 parts around. I had a ratty old Discovery a few years ago and loved it but it was very old and tired so I got shot of it before it started costing me too much money but I felt the time was right for something in a similar vein and thankfully, my missus agreed with me and gave the idea her blessing.
I had my heart set on a very early Range Rover 2 door, having seen a near mint one on Trade-me, I gave it my best shot but was thoroughly outbid in the closing minutes. But then the hunt was on, I E-mailed contacts, ran a wanted ad and scoured websites to find another one. Unfortunately, what I discovered is that early Rangies have all been thrashed to within an inch of their lives, have many non-original parts (including frequent diesel conversions) and are mostly in the South Island. Every single one I saw would have required many thousands of dollars to make them into a vaguely presentable vehicle.
I could have had my pick of mid to late '80s ones but they all seemed a bit common for my liking (and I do have a thing for the rare and unusual) so when this appeared on Trade-me, I just had to have it...
For those unfamiliar with Range Rovers, this is a 1994 County LWB. They were sold in the UK and most other markets as the LSE and they have an extra 8 inches in the wheelbase, all in back seat legroom as you can see. The County however was a USA market version (chrome bumpers ) and the sharper eyed amongst you may have noticed that it still retains it's LHD configuration. It is Beluga black with Sorrell leather, has the LSE/LWB only 4.2 litre efi V8, auto and pretty much every option available. Of course, being a mid '90s Land Rover product, most of these don't work anymore but at least that will give me something to do for a bit.
I've only had it 24 hours at this point but the highlight must be accidently setting the alarm off 3 times in my driveway last night at 10pm! (Sorry neighbours ) Still, I think it looks the business and needs enough fettling to keep me happy. And don't worry, I fully intend on tinting those windows as dark as I can!