Thread: Looking for a RR 2 Door restorer proj- some high level guidance would be appreciated

I was always told that the Earliest 2-doors were the most prized - i.e. worth most to an 'enthusiast/collector' and the last of the 4 doors (arguably 4dr LSE) were the nicest of the 4 door variants.

There is a crossover period on the early 2 doors, but you should seek a 2 door expert's opinion on these - regardless, any 'resto' project is going to cost serious coin now - the days of a bargain 2 door project are long gone. Far too many NLA parts, Not a great volume of donor vehicles around....

It's bad enough for a 4 door, and there were far more of those landed here.

Unless you have a connection to the landy parts gods, I'd say move on to something else that is less of a money pit. You'd be better off buying a nice minty one or one with very minor cosmetic issues that pars can be obtained for, than to go in for a full-resto paddock basher needing everything replaced.

Rusty everywhere, lucky if you find one without chassis cancer, or serious need of body-off remediation work.

Have a read of Meccles' thread on his 2 door - and He'll tell you that what's here is only half the story. It takes a serious bent - a dedication to several years of haemorraging cash to rescue a 2 door.

If you're looking for a sinkhole for a tax minimization scheme or some way to deplete all your funds in an instant, then acquiring a 2 door range rover as a restoration project would rank right up there with space exploration budgets and owning large sailing yachts.

Actually, owning a boat is cheaper.... from experience.

Thanks Mercguy - yes I can image it will be both expensive and time consuming!

there is an early one for sale in Victoria ...in "reasonable condition!!" looks liken early one
1972 Range Rover classic | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Darebin Area - Reservoir | 1297053193

The SN is actually one listed in the excellent website that I found mentioned in here - by Vidar Eriksen

"The first batch of the officially imported Range Rover in Australia was a shipment of 26 vehicles which
ranged from 35600271A to 35600367A in various colours and not linear in the #VIN range. The first
shipment arrived Sydney with the SS Wilkawa on 17th July 1972.

The second batch of 18 vehicles landed on the SS Tricolour numbered from 35600371A to 35600578A
in October 1972

The third batch of 6 vehicles within the range from 35600357A to 35600440A arrived on the Port Officially imported Range Rovers to Australia have this badge with
Launceston in November 1972."

it has a 4.4L motor and AC - neither are options as I read for A code - Vidar says that these where available from 1975???

if someone had 10mins to look at that car - just quick thoughts - would really appreciate it


ps I have a D2 and a boat! so know the cash drain feeling!

cheers

Nobby!

Originally Posted by NobbyTD5

Thanks Mercguy - yes I can image it will be both expensive and time consuming!

there is an early one for sale in Victoria ...in "reasonable condition!!" looks liken early one
1972 Range Rover classic | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Darebin Area - Reservoir | 1297053193

The SN is actually one listed in the excellent website that I found mentioned in here - by Vidar Eriksen

"The first batch of the officially imported Range Rover in Australia was a shipment of 26 vehicles which
ranged from 35600271A to 35600367A in various colours and not linear in the #VIN range. The first
shipment arrived Sydney with the SS Wilkawa on 17th July 1972.

The second batch of 18 vehicles landed on the SS Tricolour numbered from 35600371A to 35600578A
in October 1972

The third batch of 6 vehicles within the range from 35600357A to 35600440A arrived on the Port Officially imported Range Rovers to Australia have this badge with
Launceston in November 1972."

it has a 4.4L motor and AC - neither are options as I read for A code - Vidar says that these where available from 1975???

if someone had 10mins to look at that car - just quick thoughts - would really appreciate it


ps I have a D2 and a boat! so know the cash drain feeling!

cheers

Nobby!

Hi Nobby,
look very carefully at that one. I suspect that it is a later model with an early model plate. There is a 72 and 73 listed on gumtree that look much more genuine and better propositions. If intention is to spend lots and do it properly get one with original engine and other matching numbers parts.

Here's link to the one I'd seriously consider.
1972 Range Rover - Early Suffix A with paperwork | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Canterbury Area - Canterbury | 1305459990

Cheers, Peter

Another possibility.

carsales.com.au

The 4.4 would be a P76/Terrior truck motor wouldn't it ? That car looks like it could almost be a driver with a little work. Is it just me or do the pop rivets on the ID plates look like they have been replaced ? one doesn't even look like it "popped" properly. I'd be searching for the VIN stamped into the chassis before I believed the plates maybe. I have no idea how to pick and early model though. it maybe the real deal thats just had the plates removed for a paint job at some point in its life

I will ask for the chassis number to make sure it matches that one in Victoria - I can ask for a photo of that if I know where it is - any hints ?? Steering wheel/Dash looks a bit modern as well??
Yes it has the P76/Terrier 4.4L V8 motor - which at one stage was some sort of option/swap out

Peter- that white one in QLD looks Ok as well - Holley Carby - Thanks!

Appreciate the thoughts & feedback etc!

cheers
Nobby

No VIN back then.


Range Rovers:
Found in the behind Rover's left front corner of the windshield
Stamped on the right hand side chassis member forward of the front spring mounting turret
RANGE ROVER Classic with Vogue body (not sure about NAS County) has chassis number stamped in rear/passenger cross member (in front of rear wheel)

From here: Land Rover FAQ - History, Production, Sales - Chassis Numbering.

Originally Posted by NobbyTD5

I will ask for the chassis number to make sure it matches that one in Victoria - I can ask for a photo of that if I know where it is - any hints ??
Yes it has the P76/Terrier 4.4L V8 motor - which at one stage was some sort of option/swap out
Pete - that white one in QLD looks Ok as well - Holley Carby - Thanks!

Appreciate the thoughts & feedback etc!

cheers
Nobby

Hi Noddy,
I don't think the early vehicles have SNs stamped on chassis. One of the first things I look at is the goal post/rear frame to see if it has a notch out of it in the top centre which indicates it's an early vehicle. There is always a chance this has been replaced but the probability of this is low. The said vehicle is lacking early goal post notch and has many other later model features such as dash, steering wheel etc.

I highly recommend a copy of this for anyone embarking on an early classic journey!

Original Range Rover

Cheers, Peter