30 YEARS OF RANGE ROVER 1970-2000

The Original Range Rover

---

The original Range Rover began life in the mid-1960s as a response to an upsurge of interest in 4x4 vehicles for leisure uses. This upsurge was most noticeable in the USA but Rover's market research demonstrated that it was latent worldwide. 

The original Range Rover was announced in June 1970, and it took the motoring world by storm. It was a vehicle that was truly multi-purpose: it was both a practical load-carrier and comfortable long-distance express, and it was as much at home in mud or snow as it was on tarmac. Demand quickly exceeded original sales projections, and for most of the next decade there were waiting lists for new Range Rovers. In the early days, used examples frequently changed hands for more than the initial cost price.

 

Meanwhile, customer feedback showed the Range Rover's manufacturers that the market for this vehicle could be even greater if certain changes were made. So, as soon as the funds became available, Land Rover Ltd invested in a larger assembly plant and introduced new models alongside the original two-door Range Rover with its petrol V8. 

The first half of the 1980s was a period of rapid change. More luxurious interiors appeared for the first time, and a four-door body was added to the line-up. This quickly exceeded the popularity of the two-door original, and in most countries was effectively standard from the start of 1987. In Australia, the four-door model was introduced in 1982. Automatic transmission, a smoother-changing five-speed manual gearbox, and improved suspension made the Range Rover into a more refined mode of transport than ever before. A diesel engine became optional in some markets. 

 

Two more luxurious interiors were added and more powerful petrol and diesel engines. Anti-lock brakes which operated off-road as well as on tarmac were a major breakthrough in 1989, and these were followed by anti-roll bars to control body movement. Next came a sophisticated, computer-controlled, height-adjustable air suspension, which was introduced in tandem with the most luxurious Range Rover yet seen. This model, known as the Vogue LSE in most countries, offered no fewer than eight extra inches of lounging room for rear-seat passengers.

 


The long-wheel base LSE model (LWB in USA) offered
8 inches of additional rear legroom, a 4.2 litre V8 engine
and new levels of luxury.
The final developments of the original Range Rover came in 1994 with the introduction of dual airbags - a first in the sport-utility market. Just a few months later, the New Range Rover made its appearance and the old one was renamed the Range Rover Classic to avoid confusion in markets where both were sold together. The last of the original Range Rovers was built in 1996, bringing to an end nearly 26 years of continuous production. The original Range Rover made its mark with the emergency services, as well as in the luxury car class. By the time it went out of production, the original Range Rover had come to represent an unparalleled combination of character, capability and cachet to millions of people in all walks of life.

The New Range Rover >>

 

 

30 YEARS OF RANGE ROVER 1970-2000