A 1971 Range Rover belonging to Lotus design guru Colin Chapman is being offered for sale for £49,500. The series one model, finished in Bahama Gold, has covered 41,000 miles and comes with a comprehensive history file detailing its adventures of the last 30 years.

The car was supplied directly to Colin Chapman in 1979, where it stayed for five years before ownership was transferred to Lotus Cars Ltd – another illustrious name on the logbook. A year later the car moved to the care of Colin’s wife, Hazel of Hethel Properties Ltd and eventually was transferred to her head gardener, David Adams.

After passing through a few more hands, the car was purchased by Kingsley Cars, of Witney, who undertook a gentle restoration of the car. As well as being put back to its original specification, the paint was refreshed along with the sills and inner and outer wings. The brake system was fully refurbished including the replacement of all lines, bearings and discs. At the same time the transfer box was rebuilt with LSE cogs, to improve fuel economy on longer journeys. Owner of Kingsley Cars, Damon Orloff told CCW: “The car has a super history, so we just had to bring the car back to its former glory. Its now in immaculate original condition and ready for a collector to enjoy.”

GREG MACLEMAN

STAFF WRITER