1988 – Land Rover Range Rover V8 3.5L préparé... Lot n° 88

1988 - Land Rover Range Rover V8 3.5L prepared Rallye-Raid French registration Chassis n°SALLHABV8EA339037 - Iconic 4x4 and first to win the Paris-Dakar Rally - 2-door version with just over 120,000 original kms - 3rd hand since 2007 and interesting history file - High-quality special Rallye-Raid preparation In the 1950s, Land Rover enjoyed great success with its rustic Series III, but was keen to expand its range with a vehicle offering the same off-road capability typical of British off-road vehicle manufacturers, but with the comfort and superior roadholding of a Rover saloon. After two prototypes, finally abandoned in 1956 and 1959, the project resurfaced in 1966, in the form of a study of a "100-inch wheelbase station wagon" by Charles Spencer King, then chief engineer of new vehicles for the entire British Leyland Motor Corporation group, often referred to as the "father" of the Range Rover. This prototype, christened "Velar", led to the launch of the Range Rover in 1970, immediately after its official presentation to the press on June 17 of that year. Referred to as the "Range" from then on, this exceptionally versatile vehicle blazed a new trail in the luxury 4x4 category. The first generation, known as the "classic", featured a compulsory aluminum V8 engine mated to a manual gearbox until 1982, permanent all-wheel drive, 4-wheel disc brakes and, a major innovation for off-road vehicles at the time, coil-spring suspension. The Range has always been a trailblazer. Firstly, in its avant-garde styling when it came out in 1970, with its high-slung station wagon design, which was completely unprecedented at the time. The Range was only available as a two-door until 1981. On the other hand, from a technical point of view, by systematically integrating the latest innovations to evolve, such as ABS or pilot-controlled suspension. Nevertheless, the Range managed to remain at the cutting edge of fashion without denying its utilitarian origins, incorporating practical solutions such as the water-jet washable interior on early models, or the two-piece tailgate. Popular from the outset, the formula of a 4x4 that's as comfortable as it is adventurous and luxurious has been carried on from generation to generation on the Range Rover. In fact, it's been an undeniable success for over 50 years, making the Range an automotive icon. But it's also its place in Rallye-Raid, notably in the Paris-Dakar, that has forged its legend. The model presented here is a Range Rover V8 3.5L with carburetors (SU) and 5-speed mechanical gearbox, in two-door bodywork, put on the road on November 17, 1988, having been prepared for the Rallye-Raid. This preparation was carried out at the request of its current owner in 2008, by a specialist tuner, according to the specifications of the Transafricaine Classic, organized by Patrick Zaniroli; a rally in which this Range was entered in 2009, but was unable to take part following the cancellation of the event that year. Aesthetically, the preparation consisted of a white monochrome "VSD" style decoration, respecting the original color and inspired by René Metge's Range Rover V8, winner of the "Paris-Alger-Dakar" in 1981. Mechanically, the shock absorbers have been replaced by Bilstein competition ones, a snorkel has been fitted with a competition conical air filter, an additional radiator fan has been fitted and a dual ignition coil has been pre-mounted. In terms of equipment, things have been taken a step further, with the addition of two pairs of long-range headlamps on the outside, as well as the hitch, an engine protection ski plus front axle and underbody and rocker panel armouring, and the fitting of BFGoodrich All Terrain 4x4 tires, which are new from 2022. In the cockpit, Oreca bucket seats with 5-point FIA competition harnesses, a 6-point LMT bolt-on roll bar, stamped aluminum pedals, co-driver footrest and floorboards, plus an additional 170-liter ATL fuel tank (FIA homologation) have been installed; The trunk has also been fitted with compartments containing two sand removal plates, a Hi-Lift jack and 2 strapped BFGoodrich All Terrain spare wheels. The on-board instrumentation has