Sacrilege, but bear with me.

[Horse_Apple]

First of all, morning. New to Landy Zone but have been a reader for a while. Mostly post on PH.

In terms of Rangies, I currently own a 95 LSE which was completely rebuilt in 2005 and then sent to OverFinch. It was the last Overfinch Classic conversion and had everything done, engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension etc.

I have recently begun a new project which will be the opposite of the Overfinch, it will be a 2 door with all new running gear, restored shell and chassis. The current intention is for it to use an XKR engine to deliver somewhere in the region of 450+ BHP.

The driver behind this is that firstly I have always hankered after a 2 door, but not a CSK and secondly, I want a Rangie which has absolutely no electronics other than engine management. No gas suspension, no electric windows, electric seats, heated seats, nothing. Everything to be old school mechanical.

Now, where some purists may take offense is the intention that while the exterior will be true to originality, the interior will not. The car will be used to cris cross Europe and more importantly ferrying the family in winter. As such safety is very important to me as is comfortable seating.

This means that I need to redress the main weak point of Rangies which is the zero structural support for the roof in the event of a roll. This means a bespoke interior rollcage being fitted with as little cabin intrusion as possible. Carpets will be bare minimum, as God intended, as I don't intend to fret over muddy boots.

The real change will be the seats, and here I need some specialist advice, hence the post.

70s seats are wholly unsuitable to long distance and safe driving. Classic seats and P38 seats are a huge improvement but the front seats won't hinge forward so not an option (have considered stripping a set from a CSK but that is my fall back option).

What I would really want to do is utilise the seats from a Disco 3 or 4. They are extremely comfortable and I would just have the re-trimmed to suit.

The two questions are:

1. Do non electric ones exist?

2. I'm sure that the front seats can be made to fit but I need a solution where all the seats are of the same design, so while I think it unlikely, what are the chances of the rear seats of a Disco 3 or 4 fitting into a Classic?

TIA.

Tim.

 

[MikeV8SE]

Hey there, think I recognise you from PH forums, so welcome to LandyZone!

Sounds an interesting project, although I'm a little confused by your intentions - you say you want no extra electrics (e.g. heated seats, heated screens, ABS & T/C?) yet want to ferry the fmaily around in comfort through winter across Europe - seems to be two opposing ideas! Would you not just use the LSE for the winter stuff, or are you selling that?

Anyway, good luck with the project - sorry I can't help on the seating front!

 

[Horse_Apple]

Hey there, think I recognise you from PH forums, so welcome to LandyZone!

Sounds an interesting project, although I'm a little confused by your intentions - you say you want no extra electrics (e.g. heated seats, heated screens, ABS & T/C?) yet want to ferry the fmaily around in comfort through winter across Europe - seems to be two opposing ideas! Would you not just use the LSE for the winter stuff, or are you selling that?

Anyway, good luck with the project - sorry I can't help on the seating front!

Hi Mike,

The Europe trips will be to Italy in the summer, where it is likely to remain for 6 months of the year. In winter it will be used in the UK.

ABS would be a prudent option and it may not be difficult to retro fit the system from a 90s classic, it is something to yet be formalised. If anyone knows one way or another that would be useful but the issue could lie with the all new running gear.

TC isn't likely although I am having it fitted to a TVR that I'm having restored via the SyVecs ECU system, but I don't believe this route will be plausible for the Rangie.

I could add a heated seats but this would be a consession to the Missus and not a personal option. I'm more likely to run aircon in winter than heating

The general concept is to have something which is swifter than the Overfinch but not using a clumsy 6 litres but by reducing the electrical luxuries I thus reduce the amount of time spent by the side of the road. Plus, I've never felt I needed any of these modern gadgets. I have a BMW and it is a great car but frankly all the bings, bongs and buttons just make me angry. I want to get into a car, turn the key and drive, just like I did when I was younger. Although I will draw the line at having to drive a mini in snow with my arm out the window manually working the wiper.

 

[MikeV8SE]

Although I will draw the line at having to drive a mini in snow with my arm out the window manually working the wiper.

I've been there before!! OK, I sort of understand the idea now - sounds like you've got quite a car collection there! What else you got?

I've got a beemer as my daily drive (an E46 330Ci M-Sport) which has enough electronics to keep me entertained, warm, cool and safe (traction control, ABS, air con, widescreen TV sat-nav with iPod integration, bluetooth, etc) but without all the bings, bongs and nanny-state permanently-interferring electronics of the very latest BMW's which can;'t be turned off! iDrive is a royal PITA is you ask me!!

On the contrary, I love my '91 RRC - still got some electronics of course, but no air suspension, no traction control (I believe?), no heated seats, bluetooth, DVD's, TV's or anything else - and I like that!

 

[Horse_Apple]

I've been getting rid of a few cars of late and planning to get down to 3,

I was about to order an Eagle Etype last year but a baby coming along has ended 2 seater ambitions for a while.

the TVR that is currently being restored is a 2+2 and the replacement for the Eagle.

I may sell the Overfinch but it will be a reluctant sale as I've run out of storage space and I never leave a car outside.

The 130i is the general runabout and this new rangie will be the winter alternative to the TVR but is likely to be used as a local runabout in Italy during the summer months.

 

[MikeV8SE]

Nice little collection! My Dad was looking at an Eagle E-type, but has just bought a Daimler Dart instead - fancied something a bit different I think!

How much do you think the Overfinch is worth then, if you don't mind my asking? Would love on of those, one day!

 

[Horse_Apple]

Nice little collection! My Dad was looking at an Eagle E-type, but has just bought a Daimler Dart instead - fancied something a bit different I think!

How much do you think the Overfinch is worth then, if you don't mind my asking? Would love on of those, one day!

Whatever someone will pay for it

The one in london was pretty much just an engine conversion and went for £35k the other week.

Currently Classics are all the rage in London and that is where most good ones are going.

Mine is about 10 years younger and had over £100k spent to make it. Including a £15k entertainment system, full retrim, respray, Webasto system, auto start, dual battery.

They guy who commissioned it went absolutely mental building the best Overfinch he possibly could.

 

[MikeV8SE]

Sounds like it - and out of my budget, sadly! Any pics?

 

[Horse_Apple]

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue LSE Overfinch 570 HSi | Bramley | Land Rover Dealership

 

[robp38]

why dont you take the origanal seats to bespoke seat builder and have them re-made to your own spec ?? (does away with sit tipping problems) then you will know that they will fit without having to rebuild the seat bases.

 

[Horse_Apple]

why dont you take the origanal seats to bespoke seat builder and have them re-made to your own spec ?? (does away with sit tipping problems) then you will know that they will fit without having to rebuild the seat bases.

They are miserably uncomfortable. The seats in those things are over 40 years old. There is no kind of support at all and nothing for the head and neck if you are taller than an Umpa Lumpa.

Plus, I plan to retain and vacuum pack the original seats in case I sell that car and the market deems originality to be more valuable.

If you're going to spend several hours and sometimes all day in a car you need proper seats. Rebuilt CSK seats are the fall back but modern Disco seats are in a different league.

 

[fett]

I am rebulding and custosing/modernising a 1972 3 door RRC myself.

I plan on using later (lse) classic leather and foam on the orginal frames.

This is because on a 3 door the setabelt is also part of the seat and of corse they have to fold forward too.

Let me know how you get on, I take it you having the engine installation done somewhere? or are you doing it yourself?

 

[Horse_Apple]

I am rebulding and custosing/modernising a 1972 3 door RRC myself.

I plan on using later (lse) classic leather and foam on the orginal frames.

This is because on a 3 door the setabelt is also part of the seat and of corse they have to fold forward too.

Let me know how you get on, I take it you having the engine installation done somewhere? or are you doing it yourself?

Have you found a car yet? It's a bit of a shocker trying to find one that has been tarted up by a dealer to be sold as something it isn't. Missed 2 last week as I was just too busy.

Planning on a 72 as well. I like the concept of an old plate and no tax.

Re the engine and running gear, the current plan and probably the only plan if I can find the right car and sort out a competant plan for the interior that I want will be a full Zulu conversion from JE Engineering.

 

[rasheed]

Land Rover Range Rover Vogue LSE Overfinch 570 HSi | Bramley | Land Rover Dealership

Pretty. If only I could find one in LHD.
The search continues.....

 

[storm99]

Pretty. If only I could find one in LHD.
The search continues.....

I can probably get you one.

 

[fett]

Have you found a car yet? It's a bit of a shocker trying to find one that has been tarted up by a dealer to be sold as something it isn't. Missed 2 last week as I was just too busy.

Planning on a 72 as well. I like the concept of an old plate and no tax.

Re the engine and running gear, the current plan and probably the only plan if I can find the right car and sort out a competant plan for the interior that I want will be a full Zulu conversion from JE Engineering.

yup i have the car, paid £1500 for her and it came with a free 79 parts car.

have a look at my album on my profile. It was a pleasure to get the free tax disc yesterday!

i have just done all the suspension and brakes but the major work will start when the weather warms up!

does anyone know the rules for rear seatbelts? do i have to have them by law in a car that old?

 

[Horse_Apple]

yup i have the car, paid £1500 for her and it came with a free 79 parts car.

have a look at my album on my profile. It was a pleasure to get the free tax disc yesterday!

i have just done all the suspension and brakes but the major work will start when the weather warms up!

does anyone know the rules for rear seatbelts? do i have to have them by law in a car that old?

Nice deal by the sounds of it.

Most of what I end up looking at is rotten or needing the parts that you can no longer get.

Others have been resparayed lincoln green and tarted up to look like Charlie's old car and are commanding commical prices.

 

[fett]

yeah its ok , neets a bit of metalwork but less than my 1990 classic did when I got it.

so far so good on the parts front, even my waist seals were good and I found a genuine recon landrover v8 under the bonnet too

I am still considering paint/the rat rod look

 

[rasheed]

I can probably get you one.

I'm listening.

 

[wammers]

yup i have the car, paid £1500 for her and it came with a free 79 parts car.

have a look at my album on my profile. It was a pleasure to get the free tax disc yesterday!

i have just done all the suspension and brakes but the major work will start when the weather warms up!

does anyone know the rules for rear seatbelts? do i have to have them by law in a car that old?

Front belts must be fitted to any vehicle made in or after 1965 and rear seatbelts must be fitted to any vehicle made in or after 1986. I think, but check it out in construction and use regulations.