1989 Land Rover Range Rover Classic – 94k miles

Model History

In 1967 the Land Rover company brought to us a radical new idea of how a 4×4 should be made. Engineers Spencer King and Gordon Bashford set about designing a luxury Land Rover estate car, leveraging a V8 engine and based on a 100″ wheelbase chassis. Rover needed something to compete with Jeep and its ever growing fan base. Several years later, the very first Range Rover went into production as a 2-door 1970 model. It was rugged, raw, quite vertical and would set the evolutionary design in motion with its raised wing bulges on the bonnet and floating roof line. The model would evolve through vinyl and plastic to updated improved trim inside and out over time. This marque lineup though wouldn’t show up in North America for another 17 years. It was then that in 1987 LRNA officially introduced the Range Rover to the U.S. market at the LA Auto Show and went on sale in March of the same year.

In 1993, the long-wheel base (LWB) was introduced along with the electronic air suspension (EAS). The LWB stretched the short wheel base (SWB) an additional 10″, all devoted to rear seat passenger leg room. The EAS was the first of its kind, offering the driver the ability to raise and lower the suspension with the touch of a button. In 1995, the Range Rover received a major interior ‘upgrade’ from a hard dash with a rather quirky, yet endearing, layout, to a more modernized ‘soft dash’ with dual air bags. The RRC was the first to have command seating, the driver sits above the window ledges for improved visibility. The rear passengers benefit from stadium seating also providing improved viewing. The Range Rover was changed mid-year to the P38 style, running through the 2002 MY. These Classics are truly iconic to the brand and finally starting to see the appreciation they deserve in the collector car world.

Car History

Second Daily is proud to present this 1989 Land Rover Range Rover Classic with just 94k miles ticked off since new. It was originally put into operation as a two-year lease and then returned to Land Rover Nashville (Tennessee). It was then purchased by the shop manager at the time where it remained in his ownership until recently being acquired by the seller. For the last 7 years, it sat idle in the garage and the motor was recently replaced with a 3.9L V8 from a 1995 SWB with 125k miles.

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Exterior

Outside, the truck presents in a repainted original Alpine White. Exposed hinges suggest this 1989 model was one of the earliest built that model year (as they were hidden in most 1989 model year trucks). The car presents quite clean with no major dings of dents. The rear lift gate was replaced and the seller reports the rear crossmember was previously repaired and is in solid condition. The underside has spots of surface rust but nothing major from what we can see. The seller notes there were a few rust holes in the floor previously, all were cut back to good metal and new metal was patched and welded in, seam-sealed and painted.

Original grey tri-spoke wheels are fitted, along with new AT tires. Under the rear carpet looks clean (note that these early RRC’s were painted black in areas like the load cargo, door arches, etc.).

Interior

The sorrel tan interior is seemingly in excellent shape with only minor cracks in the leather. The interior wood needs a little treatment in areas but overall presents very well. The dash is slightly faded but in good condition. The dash pod has a few missing tabs and needs attention but all gauges work. The seat switches have been rebuilt and work well. All window motors were removed and rebuilt. Two of the window switches work intermittently and should be replaced.

Maintenance

The motor swap and inspection was done by Charlie Haigh, a professional Land Rover mechanic. The engine has new heads and a new water pump. The A/C system was serviced and charged. The cooling system and transmission were flushed and refilled. This SWB is fitted with all new Terra Firma suspension springs and shocks, new all-terrain radial tires, new brakes pads, rotors and calipers. During this service, all hubs were rebuilt with new seals.

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Disclaimer: We do our best to represent the vehicle from the information provided but this should not be implied as an inspection. Second Daily is not the owner of the vehicle and therefore we recommend as with any online vehicle purchase, as a potential buyer you should either arrange to visit it in person for a personal inspection, or hire a professional service to conduct a pre-purchase inspection. The full VIN number is available upon request, as potential buyers, you can perform your due diligence to determine if this vehicle meets your standards. Second Daily is not liable for the condition or contents of the vehicle. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.