Value My Classic

WHO David Simister WHAT 1980 Range Rover FLM 4dr MILES (1)57,250 PROVENANCE Owned since new MODS Converted from 2dr HOW MANY LEFT? 2

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD IT?

I bought it in February 1988 for £3705 through a British Nuclear Fuels employee auction of surplus goods. It’s only used for general duties around town now, and occasional trips out, but was previously our main family vehicle, and sometimes appears in CCW’s Our Classics pages, thanks to my son (and CCW editor) David. It has been well looked after and garaged when not in use. I’ve kept on top of all the usual maintenance and the chassis, floor, sills etc are all rust-free.

HOW MUCH HISTORY?

It had quite an interesting early life. It was used as a police escort vehicle for eight years for shipments of special nuclear materials. That was in original two-door form, but it was converted to a four-door after a few years. I remember it being on site as a four-door where I worked in Preston for a couple of years, after it came down from Sellafield.

WHAT’S LEFT TO DO ON IT?

It’s just had a new power steering box and radiator. Some of the paint needs tidying up and there’s the odd dint to deal with. It runs well, but the V8 would benefit from some TLC. It has recently passed an MoT with no advisories.

HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED?

The conversion from two- to fourdoor was done around 1983 by FLM Panelcraft at the request of the police following an accident. Marque expert, James Taylor, thinks that it is one of the last the company did – Land Rover had been building its own four-doors for two years by then. Apart from that it’s completely original.