In June 1970, under British Leyland, the Range Rover was sold to the world as "A Car For All Reasons", a car that could be driven both on and off-road. It had a permanent 4WD system as well as a 4-speed manual transition. In 1978 and 1986 the Range Rover won the 4WD category in the very first Paris Dakar Rally It was also one of two vehicles (the other was a Land Rover Series IIA) that crossed from North America to South America.
So, How Much Would A Model From the 1970s Cost Now?
Classic cars are a recognized investment piece these days, and the Land Rover Range Rover is no exception. But it does depend on what decade you are selecting your investment piece from. Retaining and improving on their value over the years, you can pick up a 1970s model in pristine condition for between $54,000 and $72,000 depending on mileage and whether it has been restored or not. The models from the 1970s are holding their value much better than their 90s counterparts.
If you are open to a restoration project, you can pick up a 1970s model for around $10,000, but it will require a lot of care and attention in order to bring it up to standard. Most restorations use 100% original Range Rover parts, and these can be tricky to locate. When looking at a classic Range Rover, look out for certain problem areas, in particular, potential sagging in the headlining and rust in the body structure.
In 2016, 13 Range Rovers from the 1970s were made available at public auction in the United States, each selling at an average price of $20,000. Only 8 of these models were available two years earlier in 2014, indicating a genuine increase in interest for this iconic car. According to Hagerty.com, the average value of these cars rose by 11% in 2016 and in the past few years, the value has risen again to around 67%.
The benefit of owning one of these models is that they remain a practical family car with the space they offer, and they are still excellent and capable off-roading vehicles.
The downside is that there are not many Range Rovers available in the United States. Indeed, they were not sold in the United States until 1987.
How does that compare to the UK?
In the UK, by comparison, the classic Range Rover prices vary from £12,000 for a model in good condition to a whopping £175,000 for a 2-door, left-hand drive by Overfinch Works. Overfinch have focussed on the Range Rover model for forty years, with the aim to improve the Range Rover to create the unique, desirable and stand-out vehicle. Overfinch are a dedicated team of British craftsmen who pursue perfection while achieving the bespoke brief of their worldwide clients. They are a company dedicated to Land Rover. Acquiring an Overfinch Range Rover in the United States would be a perfect investment.
In September 1970, the UK price of a brand new Land Rover Range Rover was £1,998 including tax ($ 1,503) with a choice of six colors.
What Is The Range Rover Reborn, And How Much Will It Cost?
Land Rover recognized that there was an opening in the classic market for offering fully restored models of their vehicles. In 2017, the company introduced their new concept, entitled 'Range Rover Reborn', featuring a model in the original 1978 mustard-yellow color. This car was restored and certified by Land Rover Classics. UK based Land Rover elected to offer 10 x 1970s Range Rover models to gain the benefit of the growing classic car market.
Range Rover Reborn source bodies and frames in reasonable condition before they carry out a complete factory restoration. Land Rover clean the bodies and repair them using authentic Land Rover parts. Amazingly, if particular parts are not available, they are specifically manufactured. This attention to detail guarantees that all components are in full working order. The Reborn models will take between six and twelve months to complete.
The Range Rover Reborn appeals to the young and wealthy members of the population and will have a starting price of US$169,000.
This might sound high but compare that price to that of the restored Ford Bronco, also from the 1970s. They range from US$215,000 to 'price on request' which gives an indication of what you're up against. However, the difference between investing in a classic Range Rover or even a Range Rover Reborn and a Ford Bronco is that with the Range Rover Reborn you will get an authentic 1970s vehicle experience. With the Bronco, you will get an original looking all-new Bronco with new bodywork, upgraded engine and transmission. The Bronco will also be more comfortable and luxurious than the original with a modern braking system. Very different from what Land Rover are offering with their Reborn.