The first Range Rover ever built (chassis #001, model-year 1970) will be auctioned off at the Salon Privé Sale in Silverstone, England, on September 4th. Its estimated worth ranges from £100,000-£170,000, or approximately $182,000-$310,000.
The original Spen King-designed Range Rover went out of production at the end of 1996. It was renamed the Range Rover Classic when the Mk.II model was introduced in the autumn of 1994. In the various markets where it landed, including Japan, the U.S., Canada and Australia, demand often exceeded supply.
The Range Rover chassis #001 was manufactured from November 24th to December 17th, 1969. It was first registered on January 2nd, 1970 -- some five and a half months before the June 17th launch date.
Michael Forlong, producer of the two Range Rover promotion films, became the first private owner of this milestone vehicle on April 8th, 1971. Originally painted in Olive Green, the body was re-sprayed into the production colour of Bahama Gold.
During the following years, the vehicle changed ownership several times and the #001 plate mysteriously disappeared, making it harder to trace. Land Rover somehow got their hands on it in the early 1990s and began a thorough 6-year restoration process.
Who will be the lucky bidder, and how much will they spend to own the first-ever Range Rover? Look for the answers next month.
Source : silverstoneauctions.com
The original Spen King-designed Range Rover went out of production at the end of 1996. It was renamed the Range Rover Classic when the Mk.II model was introduced in the autumn of 1994. In the various markets where it landed, including Japan, the U.S., Canada and Australia, demand often exceeded supply.
The Range Rover chassis #001 was manufactured from November 24th to December 17th, 1969. It was first registered on January 2nd, 1970 -- some five and a half months before the June 17th launch date.
Michael Forlong, producer of the two Range Rover promotion films, became the first private owner of this milestone vehicle on April 8th, 1971. Originally painted in Olive Green, the body was re-sprayed into the production colour of Bahama Gold.
During the following years, the vehicle changed ownership several times and the #001 plate mysteriously disappeared, making it harder to trace. Land Rover somehow got their hands on it in the early 1990s and began a thorough 6-year restoration process.
Who will be the lucky bidder, and how much will they spend to own the first-ever Range Rover? Look for the answers next month.
Source : silverstoneauctions.com