The first ever Range Rover produced managed to fetch 132,250 pounds when it crossed the auction block at in inaugural Salon Prive sale in London thanks to Silverstone Auctions.
This particular example rolled off the production line on the 2nd of January 1970 nearly six months after the launch of what would become a market-redefining 4×4. The original owner was Michael Furlong who was the producer for two of the original Range Rover promotional films.
In 1975, chassis number #001 was resprayed in Bahama Gold under new private ownership and for quite a few years, the car was effectively lost from Land Rover history. However, the current vendor discovered #001 back in the early 1990s and it was eventually subject to a mammoth six year ground up restoration returning it to its original fit and finish as well as the same Olive Green paint job.
Interestingly, this Range Rover has retained all of its original matching numbers components like the chassis, engine, gearbox, axles, aluminium bonnet and the original body shell. This is very rare for a car of this age.
Prior to being sold, managing director of Silverstone Auctions Nick Whale said, “It’s wonderful to be able to offer this iconic British model for auction at the UK’s finest concours event. These cars are incredibly popular and we expect a significant amount of interest when it goes under the hammer.”
