1987: First Official US Range Rover Model
Introduction
US Range
Rover Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)
Powertrain
Chassis & Suspension
Exterior
Interior
Special Editions
Other
Used Range Rover Listings & Buying
Info
Photo: Jack Hall's
1987 Range Rover fitted out with an aftermarket roof rack, headlight
guards and brush bar. Jack has removed the factory front spoiler that
came on all 1987 U.S. Spec Range Rovers and relocated the driving
lights from the spoiler to the brush bar. Note exposed hinges on front
doors and narrow plastic rocker panel trim strip, both characteristic
of 1987 through mid 1989 models. In mid 1989 the doors were redesigned
to hide the hinges and a wider rocker panel trim strip was fitted.
Introduction: The 1987 US Debut
The Range Rover first went on sale in the U.S.
(and the first was sold) March
16th 1987.
Number built 1,542 U.S.
(21,225 Worldwide)
Number sold in the U.S.
during calendar year 1987 1,792
Base Price $31,375 (Kelley Blue Book) MSRP $30,825
Curb Weight 4,303 lbs.
Gross Vehicle Weight 5997 lbs.First 1987 built November 18, 1986
After 1987 most Range Rovers were first sold in the U.S.
about 2-3 months after the build date.
US Range Rover Vehicle Identification
Numbers (VIN):
First U.S.
Spec. Range
Rover Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) SALHV114XHA277451
The Range Rover VIN translates as follows (the U.S.
or Federal VINs are slightly different from European VINs):
SA = Built by Rover Group
L = Land Rover Division
H = Range Rover
V = 100” Wheelbase U.S./Canada (The Range Rover was not sold
in Canada until June 1990)
C= 108”
1 = 4 Door Station Wagon
1 = 3.5L Petrol Catalyst V8 Engine (2= 3.9L, 3 = 4.2L)
4 = Automatic Transmission 4 Speed Left Hand
Drive
X = Check Digit (The Check Digit is the 9th
digit
on all post ’80 U.S.
cars and the is determined by a mathematical equation using the other
numbers
and letters in the VIN)
H = 1988 Model year (the 10th digit on all post
’80 U.S.
cars is
a letter corresponding to the model year)
A = Built in Solihull England
Last Six Numbers = Build sequence
number
Powertrain:
3.5L (3528cc/215 cubic inches) 150 hp @ 4750 rpm
(15 less hp
than the euro 3.5L that did not have the
three-way exhaust catalysts and other U.S. emissions equipment.) 195
lb-ft
torque @ 3000 rpm 90-degree Overhead Valve (OHV) V8 aluminum alloy
heads and
aluminum alloy block with dry steel cylinder liners (3.5" bore x 2.8"
stroke) 8.13:1 compression ratio. Lucas
13CU Multiport L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection.
The electronic fuel injection on the Range
Rover was similar to the EFI that had been using on the 3.5L V8 in
Rover cars
since the 1970’s (including the Rover 3500 that was sold in the U.S.),
but it was tuned differently for low-end power and torque.
A Pulsair air injection system allowed fuel
to be burned more completely. California
models had a vacuum retard device that reduced emissions to meet the
more
stringent emission standards for the state.
Unfortunately the vacuum retard device also reduced (the already
low)
power, but fortunately the small device is easily removed.
The RRNA official hp and torque figures for
the California models
were the
same as the 49 state vehicles. The
engine had five main bearings, hydraulic lifters, and a Lucas 80 amp
alternator. Diesel engines were
available in other countries, but were never available on Range Rovers
imported
to the U.S.
by
Range Rover of North America (RRNA) or
Land Rover North America (LRNA).
The transmission was a 4 speed ZF4HP22 automatic
(the same
transmission was used by BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo) with fluid lockup
torque
converter and overdrive 4th gear. (1st 2.48:1, 2nd 1.48:1, 3rd 1.00:1,
4th
.728:1, R 2.086:1) Manual transmissions
were available in other countries, but never available on Range Rovers
imported
to the U.S.
by
RRNA or LRNA.
The transfer case was a 2 speed LT230T gear driven
unit that
provided permanent four-wheel drive with mechanical center differential
lock
(High 1.222 & Low 3.320). Like other
Land Rover models the parking brake was built in to the transfer case.
EPA 13 mpg city, 15 mpg highway
Chassis and Suspension:
The
frame was a fourteen gauge
box-section ladder-type frame with five crossmembers and ten mounting
points
for the body. It was “Electrophoretically”
treated for corrosion resistance. All
North American models had a Class III towing receiver.
Long travel coil springs were on all four
corners, 133 lb./in. front and 127 to 180 lb./in. dual rate in rear. Beam axles with “spiral bevel” differentials
(3.54:1 ratio) and “fully floating” with 10 spline axle shafts (The
axle shafts
were upgraded to stronger 24 spline shafts in 1993)located by radius
arms and a
panhard rod in front, trailing links and a central “A” frame in the
rear. A self-energizing “hydromat”
ride-leveling
device is on the rear axle. and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers at
each
corner. Adwest Varamatic worm and roller
steering box with Hobourn-Eaton power assist unit.
Four wheel power disk brakes with four piston
calipers in front and two piston calipers in the rear (early 1987
models had an
Automotive Products (AP) master cylinder with a pressure differential
warning
actuator, later 1987 models had a Lucas Girling master cylinder with a
float
that activated the warning light when brake fluid level dropped) with
pad wear
sensors on the front right and rear left inboard brake pads. All U.S.
spec Range Rovers came with 7x16 inch three spoke alloy wheels with an
asymmetric rim hump to better retain a flat tire on the rim (tire shops
will
often complain that it is tough to get tires off Range Rover Classic
rims). All 1987 Range Rovers came in to
the U.S.
with the wheels painted two tone silver (light silver on the rims and
darker
silver in the center), but many dealers chrome plated the wheels. According to Land Rover they got the idea for
the three spoke wheel design from the 1979 Ford Mustang
three spoke wheels. The tires on
all 1987 Range Rovers were
Michelin XM+S 200 205 R16 radials. The wheelbase was 100” and track was
58.5”.
<>
Exterior:
Available Paint Colors (Paint Codes): Astral
Silver Metallic
(364), Cambrian Gray (348), Caspian Blue Metallic (366), Cassis Red
Metallic
(382), Chamonix White (354), and Cypress
Green Metallic (367)
All U.S. Spec Range Rovers were 4 door models; the
2 door
model was never imported to North America by
RRNA or
LRNA. All outer body panels are aluminum
except the steel hood (bonnet), tailgate, and rear corner panels. The tailgate and rear window were split
horizontally.
The door covering the fuel filler (the 1987 model
was the
first Range Rover with a door covering the fuel filler) locked along
with the
doors. All but a few early 1987's had a
black Land Rover badge on the grill (this grill was also new for 1987;
previous
Range Rovers had vertical salts in the grill.)
Black painted bumpers, Built in Class III towing receiver at
the rear. The plastic front spoiler had
integrated
driving lights. The headlights were
halogen
sealed beam headlights with power wash sprayers built in to the front
bumper. Windshield washers were on the
hood, and
washer and wiper was also on the rear window. Sun Roofs were not
available, but
the design of the Range Rover roof was changed in 1987 eliminating the
water
channels above the front seat passengers in anticipation of a power
sunroof
option in 1988. Both outside power
mirrors were electrically heated (they turned on when the rear window
defroster
was turned on).
Accessories offered by the dealers included: brush guards, lamp guards, running boards and
front mud flaps (rear mud flaps were standard).
Some dealers installed American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) tilt
up
sunroofs. Factory sunroofs were not
available until the 1988 Range Rover was introduced.
Photo above: Jack
Hall's 1987 RR from rear: Note exhaust exiting to left on 1987 and 1988
models.
Interior:
Available Interior Colors: Osprey Gray cloth or Pembroke
Gray leather
6 way power seats (more 1987's had
cloth than leather upholstery) with adjustable armrests.
The only option that was available from the factory was
leather seats.
Air conditioning, Power Windows
60/40 split folding rear seats, folding rear parcel
shelf/loadspace cover
Leather covered 16”
two-spoke steering wheel.
Electric Cruise Control
Clarion NT-2 AM/FM anti theft stereo cassette with 4
speakers and a radio antenna on the rear window glass
Map pockets in door panels, Center cubby box
Woven deep pile removable carpet over rubber mats.
A special lytherm heat/sound insulation material was under
the carpet and mats.
American walnut veneer door cappings.
Central locking on all four doors and the fuel door.
Child locks on the rear doors.
Front door puddle lamps and red door open warning lights
Rear window defroster
Accessories offered by the dealers included: Floor
mats, dog
guard (with or without a shotgun rack), and sheepskin seat covers.
Photo: Interior of
Charlie Steves' 1987 RR. Most obvious diffrences from later models are
door
panel trim design and cloth seats.
1987 Model
Year Range
Rover Special Editions:
There were not any Special Editions in 1987, only one
model
was offered
Other:
Tom Collins (who later became the U.S. Camel
Trophy team
coordinator) and Dan Floyd finish 2nd overall in the Camel Trophy
driving a
Range Rover turbo diesel.
Median income for new Range Rover owners this year
(remember
we are talking 1987 dollars) was $200,000.
The demand for Chamonix White paint and leather upholstery that
exceed
the supply so plans were made to make more available in 1988.
Links to Range Rover Buying
Information
General
Buying a new or used Range Rover
Introduction to Range Rovers
SUV Comparisons
Custom Range Rovers
One Owner's Experiences
Ownership Experiences of Others
Range Rover Lifestyle Accessories
Rovers
North page on choosing a used Range Rover, by Mick Patten
North
American Information Sources:
Used
Range Rovers for Sale:
Listings right here on Rangerovers.net
Range
Rovers Wanted page:
If
you are looking for a specific model, advertise here.
Automotive.com
: New & Used Range
Rover
discount price quotes, 60-second auto loan quote, information, reviews,
you name it!
Cars.com
Buy, Sell & Research New & Used Range Rovers (Seems to have the
largest selection of used RRs)
Edmunds
Used
Range Rover Price Guide Page
eBay
Used Range Rover Listings Direct Link to eBay Used Range
Rover Listings
eBay.ca
eBay Canada Used Car Listings (Buy or Sell)
Extended
Warranty
Information for Used Range Rovers up to 20 years old
Land Rover
Farmington Valley -- direct link to used "Certified" inventory of
the best dealer in the New York area.
LeaseTrader.com
Save by taking over someone else's Range Rover lease
Sherman
Oaks Exclusive Auto -- Southern California independent supplier of
used Range Rovers, all rigorously inspected.
Range
Rover New &
Used
Financing Page
Special
Vehicle Concepts:
Customized Range Rovers (uprated power, interior & exterior
upgrades)
UK
Information:
Carwatch
UK
:
Provides complete vehicle history data for Used Range Rovers in the UK.
eBay
Motors
eBay UK Listings
new-car-discount.com lowest UK prices for both new
and used Range Rovers. Save the time and stress of trawling round car
dealerships and receiving poor service from pushy salespeople.
For comments or questions, emai Kevin Kelly or John
Brabyn