Range Rovers 1970 to 1986
Introduction
1970: UK
Range Rover Launch
1983
1985
1986
Links
Photo: Jay's 1985 US
Range Rover
Introduction
This page covers the period between the introduction of the
Range
Rover in 1970 and its official debut in the US market in 1987. During
the interim period there were a number of vehicles imported by
companies that converted them to meet US regulations, and these are
still seen on the road today (see pictuer at the top of this page). If
you have more information on these imports, please email Kevin Kelly or John Brabyn.
1970
Land Rover introduced the Range Rover on June 15th
or 17th 1970 (different sources have listed both days). The Range Rover first went on sale in the U.K.
on September 1st 1970.
Demand for the Range Rover was well above
projections and there was a waiting list for the first couple years so
Land
Rover suspended plans to sell the Range Rover in the United
States.
By the time Land Rover caught up with the demand for the Range
Rover at
the end of the 1974 model year, they had pulled out of the U.S.
market due to slow sales and the high cost of meeting more and more
stringent U.S.
safety and emissions regulations.
Photo at right:
Lynn Helm's 1975 2-door Range Rover. It had Zenith carbs, a 5 speed
manual transmission, factory air conditioning, power brakes but manual
steering, rear window wiper, washer and defroster, and tinted glass.
1983
Land Rover Managing Director Tony Gilroy
requested a report that would study of the possibility of re-entering
the U.S.
market to sell the Range Rover.
1985
Land Rover UK Ltd. formerly announces plans to
market the
Range Rover in the U.S.
through a subsidiary of Land Rover-Leyland International Holdings, Ltd.
Range Rover of North America was incorporated in
the United States.
The Range Rover had a totally welded frame for the first
time this year replacing the bolt-together frame. Land
Rover switched to the welded frame to
try and reduce the huge panel gaps that most Americans would find
unacceptable
on a $30,000+ vehicle. Fuel injection
replaced dual carburetors on the V8 in order to meet U.S.
emissions restrictions. (Photo: Engine bay of
1985 RR imported to US by third party import company).
1986
October 27th was the official opening of Range
Rover of
North America’s (RRNA) Maryland Headquarters.
The first U.S.
dealers received their framed charters from Britain’s
Princess Alexandra at the ceremony. The
first U.S. Spec. Range Rover (after two years of development under the
code
name “Eagle”) rolled off the Solihull assembly
line
November 18th.
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, email Kevin Kelly or John
Brabyn