1975 Range Rover Classic Suffix D

This very early build MY 1975 Range Rover Classic was delivered new to Melbourne in the iconic and highly sought-after combination of Tuscan Blue over tan.

To this day it remains a matching engine and gearbox car and perhaps even more special, was a one-owner car until June 2018 when it was sold to its second owner who has since undertaken a sympathetic restoration.

The objective of the restoration was to not over restore the car, and therefore some selected areas were cleaned and preserved using smart techniques rather than being replaced to retain some history and honesty. For example, areas like the chassis were cleaned, deoxidised, and re-painted in black epoxy, while the underside of the front guards were carefully ice-blasted to remove almost 50 years of road use. A similar approach was taken with the engine bay, which retains a good level of the original paint, decals, and factory markings. This also presents the opportunity to enjoy the car without fear of collecting the odd amount dirt and stone chips from weekend drives. It’s a very nice balance.

The exterior of the car is a different story, and the very straight body and new paintwork are arguably on par or even better than when it drove out of the factory. Almost everything was restored or replaced with new items. The replaced items include a new rear chassis crossmember, tailgate rubbers, window frame sliders, NOS front bumper (the car retains its original rear one), front apron, number plate plinth, NOS badges, decals, new period correct tyres, etc. Notably, a global search unearthed possibly one of the very few NOS Lucas lens sets left available, which include the correct ‘clear edge’ front indicator lenses with NOS Lucas screws, etc. These correct new lenses really set the car off well. Most restored Range Rover Classics of this era are unfortunately forced to utilise the later model ‘black edge’ lenses, which are not correct for these early ‘Suffix’ cars. Likewise, this Tuscan Blue Range Rover retains the impossible to find factory Australian spec Wingard side mirrors, which have been painstakingly restored by the current owner. This included new mirror glass, carefully cleaned plastic seals, and repainted mirror bodies and stems. All other original items including grille, headlight surrounds, sill finishers, wipers, wheels and more have been refurbished.

The inside of the car retains its period correct features including all the hard to find and hard to replace items. This includes the original 3-spoke steering wheel, cigar tray, sun visors, rubber floor mats, complete and correct tool roll, jack, crank tool, original spare wheel with Michelin tyre, period correct English foot pump, ‘Hardura’ tool section cover and grey rear cargo mat. OEM cargo mats for the Range Rover Classic are NLA. The front and rear seats are original to the car and have been deep cleaned and preserved to retain as much originality as possible. And the result looks great. The only Palomino style vinyl that needed replacing was the driver’s seat, which was obviously used the most.

The interior items that needed replacing were supplied by the best UK suppliers, which are expensive but the accuracy to the originals arguably the best. New items include full headliner replacement using the hard-to-find correct material from a prominent restorer, interior lighting, seat back trim panels, correct nutmeg carpet set, upper and lower door cards, rear passenger side interior panels, B and C-pillar trims and front footwell panels.

Overall, the finish of the interior is very clean, smart, and comfortable from front to back, and gives occupants the feeling of being transported back to 1975.

What also sets this car apart is that it comes with its original owner’s manual and ‘Passport to Service’ service book, featuring the original owner’s information from 1975 to match with the recent bill of sale to the second owner. It gives the car solid provenance.

Overall, this restored Range Rover Classic not only retains a great amount of history and evidence of being a well-kept and loved family car but presents in its highly desired original combination of Tuscan Blue over Tan.