I am trying to understand as of what year air conditioning units became available in RRC?

Hi there,
I bought my first Range Rover Classic couple of years ago. It is a 1975 RRC. It does not have the hydraulic steering nor the air conditioning. My mechanic suggests that I should upgrade the vehicle by installing the hydraulic steering and a new air conditioning unit. The vehicle has gone under a complete nuts and bolts restoration.

I have the following questions:
1. Does anyone know from what year hydraulic steering became available on RRCs?
2. Does anyone know from what year air conditioning became available on RRCs?
3. Does it make sense to upgrade my 1975 RRC with such options if such options did not exist on the original model?

Any thoughts on the said subjects would be greatly appreciated.

Power steering was an option in the Australian market in 1975. As for AC, there were various after market kits available, but I don’t think a factory fitted and integrated kit was available until the 1980s.

The power assisted steering became an option for the 1974 model year, some didn't have it...
Air con became available in the mid 80s iirc.

not really worth putting aircon in it.

PAS can be retrofitted but you need the mount, pump and steering box + the lines

Henry_b said:

The power assisted steering became an option for the 1974 model year, some didn't have it...
Air con became available in the mid 80s iirc.

not really worth putting aircon in it.

PAS can be retrofitted but you need the mount, pump and steering box + the lines

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Summer is pretty hot in Toronto, I would want aircon if possible,

Datatek said:

Summer is pretty hot in Toronto, I would want aircon if possible,

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Anything is possible with enough time and money, but the expense might put OP off...

Henry_b said:

Anything is possible with enough time and money, but the expense might put OP off...

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There is some really good after market aircon kits in the USA at very reasonable prices, at least there were when I was there.

LR was experimenting with AC back in the 'seventies, but it wasn't a practical installation until (as said) the 'eighties.
Having owned an early 'nineties Classic with factory AC I'd say it's not worth the installation cost as the set-up performs poorly compared with modern systems.

http://www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-1970-s
Should keep you entertained for hours.

Budaah said:

3. Does it make sense to upgrade my 1975 RRC with such options if such options did not exist on the original model?

Any thoughts on the said subjects would be greatly appreciated.

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The purists won't like it, that's for sure. However, if you're planning on using it rather than polishing it and then squirreling it away I would go for it.