Photo: Silverstone Auctions
Now this is an opportunity few off-road enthusiasts could refuse - the first ever Range Rover built will be going under the hammer in London on September 4th. Silverstone Auctions estimates that the genesis of the luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle will fetch from 100,000 to 140,000 pounds sterling.
That translates to 167,935 - 235,109 U.S. dollars or 125,395 - 175,555 euros, which is a helluva lot of money by today's standard. With that kind of cash you can get a fully kitted big Range Rover with the 5-liter supercharged V8 mill. However, a new car isn't as historically important as the first of the breed. Chassis #001's story begins in 1970. Built between November 24th and December 17th of 1969, this Range Rover was registered on January 2nd of 1970, nearly six months before the official launch date of the Range Rover. The first owner was Michael Furlong, the producer of two promo films for the model.
Although it's pretty rare these days to find a pristine condition classic vehicle, Range Rover chassis #001 retains all its matching numbers components, including chassis, engine, gearbox and axles, as well as the original aluminium bonnet and body shell. In its 44 years of existence, this car has been driven 86,950 miles, which is nothing if you take into consideration how mechanically sound it is. It even has a fresh MOT. A previous owner has spent a lot of money in the 1990s on a six-year ground up resto job.
Nick Whale, the managing director of Silverstone Auctions, declared about this historical car: “It’s wonderful to be able to offer this iconic British model for auction at the U.K.’s finest concours event. These cars are incredibly popular and we expect a significant amount of interest when it goes under the hammer.” The managing director of Salon Prive, Andrew Bagley, added: “The Range Rover is a truly landmark British icon and I’m delighted that chassis number 001 will be joining us at such an internationally recognised British event.”
Follow this link for the full background of this classic British vehicle and details about the auction event.
Although it's pretty rare these days to find a pristine condition classic vehicle, Range Rover chassis #001 retains all its matching numbers components, including chassis, engine, gearbox and axles, as well as the original aluminium bonnet and body shell. In its 44 years of existence, this car has been driven 86,950 miles, which is nothing if you take into consideration how mechanically sound it is. It even has a fresh MOT. A previous owner has spent a lot of money in the 1990s on a six-year ground up resto job.
Nick Whale, the managing director of Silverstone Auctions, declared about this historical car: “It’s wonderful to be able to offer this iconic British model for auction at the U.K.’s finest concours event. These cars are incredibly popular and we expect a significant amount of interest when it goes under the hammer.” The managing director of Salon Prive, Andrew Bagley, added: “The Range Rover is a truly landmark British icon and I’m delighted that chassis number 001 will be joining us at such an internationally recognised British event.”
Follow this link for the full background of this classic British vehicle and details about the auction event.
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