Land Rover Classic has revealed the first of 10 Range Rover Reborn vehicles…

LAND ROVER CLASSIC has announced it will give 10 original Range Rovers a complete ground-up restoration, revealing its Range Rover Reborn project. According to Land Rover, there will be other reborn classic Land Rovers in the coming years, although the Range Rover Reborn “is a new programme offering prospective customers the unique opportunity to purchase an original and highly collectible vintage Range Rover”.

This first Range Rover Reborn is a 1978 model and is priced at more than $160,000, is finished in Bahama Gold with a tan cloth and leather interior. It keeps its 3.5-litre V8 which is mated to a four-speed automatic with lockable centre differential.

Land Rover Classic said that each vehicle chosen will be worked on by its experienced restoration team, who will be able to advise buyers “of the best options for base vehicles – in terms of collectability, preferred chassis numbers and unique characteristics”. The 1978 model pictured here has copped a complete restoration based on Land Rover’s original 1970s factory specification and uses Land Rover Classic Parts “to preserve the vehicle’s authenticity”.

Tim Hannig – Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “Range Rover Reborn is another showcase of our dedicated in-house engineering expertise. It underscores our commitment to nurturing the rich heritage of Land Rover, and is a rare opportunity for customers to own a valuable and genuinely collectible automotive icon. It is a wonderful way to preserve the much sought after three-door original Range Rover from the 1970s, from period-correct colour ways to interior trim and accessories.”

Question: Do you think a ground-up restoration like this, even one using ‘original’ parts preserves the vehicle, or does it wipe away some of the authenticity?