A rare and desirable 3-door model. One of the last produced before the introduction of the 4-door model. This model year saw improvements in build quality and equipment, making it one of the most desirable versions of the classic 3-door.
Less than 8,000 Km driven since restoration
An elegant, usable classic that’s as at home in the countryside as it is in a collection
Extensive anti-rust treatment carried out
Tasteful updates for modern usability: extra sound insulation, new Bluetooth audio system with Focal speakers, new sensors (oil pressure/temp, fuel, coolant temp)
A true collector-quality example of the original luxury 4×4
In the late 1960s, Land Rover saw an opportunity.
While their models had earned a global reputation for durability and off-road capability, they lacked comfort and refinement, qualities increasingly in demand from a new generation of drivers.
The solution was bold: a vehicle that could master rough terrain yet feel at home on the motorway or parked outside a country estate.
In 1970, the first Range Rover was born and it was unlike anything else on the market.
It featured permanent four-wheel drive, coil spring suspension, disc brakes on all four wheels, and a powerful 3.5-liter V8 engine derived from Buick.
Its combination of ruggedness and comfort created an entirely new vehicle category: the luxury SUV.
The vehicle’s design, created by David Bache and Spen King, was minimalist yet elegant.
Its bodywork was made of lightweight aluminum, and its interior, although relatively sparse in the earliest models, emphasized practicality and durability.
From its launch in 1970 until 1981, the Range Rover was available just as a 3-door model, a design that emphasized its rugged character and off-road focus.
The 3-door Range Rover became an icon of British engineering and design, instantly recognizable.
The 1981 Range Rover 3-Door, in particular, represents the final evolution of this original body style before the 4-door version was introduced the same year. It retained the raw charm of the earlier models but began to reflect the brand’s gradual move toward luxury.
This model year saw improvements in build quality and equipment, making it one of the most desirable versions of the classic 3-door.
Many vehicles from this period were later upgraded or restored due to their growing status as collectible classics.
Today, restored examples, especially from around 1981, the final production year of the 3-door before the arrival of the 4-door model are prized by enthusiasts, collectors, and purists alike.
They offer a unique blend of vintage charm, mechanical simplicity, and go-anywhere capability, with a design that remains iconic over 50 years later.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This 1981 Range Rover Classic 3-door, first registered on February 25th, 1981, is a beautifully restored example of one of the most iconic British cars ever built.
Finished in a timeless Cream exterior with a Beige fabric interior, it captures the understated elegance that made the early Range Rovers so special.
The car features a sunroof, adding to its classic charm, and has been carefully restored with attention to originality and detail.
The interior has been fully reupholstered to match the original look and feel, while the bodywork has been repainted in the factory-correct color.
Since its restoration, the car has been stored indoors in a heated garage and used just occasionally.
With fewer than 8,000 km driven since the work was completed, it remains in excellent condition both mechanically and cosmetically.
This piece of automotive history, is presented exactly as it should be: clean, honest, and ready to be enjoyed.
This Range Rover has undergone extensive mechanical refurbishment to ensure reliability and performance.
Key components such as the steering pump, braking system, shock absorbers, suspension bushes, and oil and fuel systems have all been replaced or renewed.
The carburetors have been professionally rebuilt and bench-tested, with documentation available.
Cooling has been improved with a new radiator and hoses, while the ignition system, alternator, and battery are all new.
The vacuum system (including the differential lock) has been fully restored, and the vehicle is fitted with a Lojack tracking system (insurance approved, with prepaid subscription).
In addition, most gaskets and seals have been replaced to reduce leaks, and the fuel tank and lines are new.
It drives beautifully, starts reliably, and presents in excellent condition both inside and out.
The car originally had air conditioning. The hoses and dashboard switches are still in place, making reinstallation possible if desired.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
The exterior of this 1981 Range Rover Classic 3-door presents in very nice condition throughout.
The bodywork has been fully resprayed in its original factory cream color.
All door and window seals have been replaced, ensuring proper fitment and helping to keep the cabin dry and free from wind noise.
Both the front and rear windscreens are new, as are the original-style mirrors, which complete the clean, period-correct look.
The triangular vent windows in the front doors are still fitted with the original seals. If replacements become available, updating them would complete the full window seal set.
The car also benefits from a new upper tailgate, a common weak point on these models, and the sunroof has been completely restored, disassembled, sandblasted, powder-coated, and reassembled with new seals, operating exactly as it should.
The wheels have been sandblasted and powder-coated to factory spec and are fitted with new inner and outer tires.
Structurally, the inner fenders and wheel arches have been replaced, and an extensive anti-rust treatment has been carried out on key areas including the sills and underbody, protecting the car for years to come.
All exterior lighting units, front and rear, have been replaced with new components.
Overall, the exterior of the car looks sharp, clean, and true to its original 1981 specification, with no visible rust, dents, or cosmetic flaws.
CONDITION INTERIOR
The interior of this 1981 Range Rover Classic has been completely reupholstered with the period correct material, bringing back the clean, functional elegance of the early models.
New carpets have been fitted throughout, and extra sound insulation has been carefully installed beneath the carpets, inside the doors, under the bonnet, and along the transmission tunnel, making the cabin noticeably quieter and more refined than the original.
The door panels and side trims have all been replaced, staying true to the original design, while the seats, a signature feature of the early Range Rovers, have been professionally refurbished, maintaining their classic look while offering excellent support.
The rear parcel shelf is brand new, and the cubby box has been fully restored.
For a touch of modern convenience, a Bluetooth audio system has been discreetly added, paired with Focal speakers for high-quality sound without disrupting the original interior aesthetic.
Overall, the cabin feels honest, solid, and carefully finished. True to the car’s heritage, but far more comfortable and functional than when it first left the factory.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
This 1981 Range Rover offers a driving experience that’s both relaxed and engaging.
The V8 engine runs smoothly and starts without hesitation, while the manual transmission, though vintage in feel, shifts confidently.
The gearbox and differentials have not been rebuilt (aside from new seals and universal joints). They function well, but a future gearbox rebuild could improve synchronisation slightly.
Refreshed suspension and improved insulation make for a surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride.
Whether on open roads or light off-road terrain, the car feels composed, capable, and true to the spirit of the original Range Rover.
This is a rare opportunity to own a well-preserved piece of Range Rover history.
An elegant, usable classic that’s as at home in the countryside as it is in a collection.
