How do you make an original Range Rover even more British? I mean sure, you could colonize the world with it, but that’s generally frowned upon these days and takes an awful lot of effort. Instead, why not replace the Rover V8 with something a bit more special, like an Aston Martin V12? Well, that’s exactly what’s happened here, and while the visual treatment is a bit over-the-top, the effects of this swap are sure to be profound.
This creation’s been built by Range Rover specialists Bishops 4×4 out of Peterborough, an outfit with a history of taking these iconic off-roaders, stripping them down to bare shells, and building them up better than new. The auction listing claims this unit took the firm two-and-a-half years to complete, and it’s easy to see why.
However, Bishops 4×4 isn’t holding onto this V12-swapped Range Rover. It’s being auctioned off by Iconic Auctioneers on May 18, and one lucky bidder should be going home with an astonishingly potent classic Range Rover. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Under the hood of this British off-roader beats the heart of a DB7 V12. Why that engine? Well, not only is it a reasonably priced V12 engine, it also puts out some proper kick. We’re talking 5.9 liters of displacement and 420 horsepower in a package that just wouldn’t fit in a stock Range Rover Classic engine bay. Hey, that’s what cutting and welding is for. As per the listing:
The front portion of the chassis rails had to have cut-out sections put into them before re-welding with strengthening bars to compensate for the narrower rails. Due to the size of the V12, a significant proportion of the engine needed to sit under/through the scuttle in order to fit, which meant measuring, cutting and re-welding for weeks on end, with an emphasis on precision and tidiness, striving for a factory-like finish.
While that’s extensive surgery, it’s worth noting that the original Range Rover featured body-on-frame construction, which means the firewall and cowling can be modified without touching the actual frame. Although the front chassis leg alterations might have an impact on safety, given that the Mk1 Range Rover was engineered in the 1960s, the chances of modifications making crashworthiness substantially worse seems slim.
Besides, measures are in place to aid the keen driver in not hitting anything in the first place. We’re talking six-piston AP Racing monoblock front brake calipers clamping down on 14.25-inch discs, along with 285/65R18 Toyo Proxes tires. That ought to add modern stopping power and grip, and mechanical awareness is equally modern. A digital dashboard lets the driver flip between Range Rover-aping layout in the standard drive mode and a skeuomorphic Aston Martin gauge pack in sport mode. Plus, there’s a four-speed automatic transmission on tap to quash any temptation of ill-advised clutch kicks. See? It’s safe-ish.
Despite the digital dashboard and Aston Martin crystal start button, the cabin of this swapped Range Rover looks pretty much period, with a sharp-looking retrim in lovely brown leather, matching carpets, and a woodgrain dashboard. From the inside, it hasn’t lost any of its elegance, a key part of this SUV’s appeal.
While the British bulldog theme with the chrome mascot and waving flag paintwork isn’t to everyone’s tastes, you have to admit, this is a pretty cool Range Rover. Plus, with an auction estimate of £30,000 to £40,000, it’s far cheaper than a new one. The 5.9-liter Aston Martin V12 makes a brilliant noise, and to have that coming out the back of a Range Rover, well, that might be even better than the supercharged V8 ruckus of the old Range Rover Sport SVR. Anyone up for a soundcheck?
(Photo credits: Iconic Auctioneers)
Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.
-
You Can Buy A Cadillac CTS-V With The Heart Of A Corvette For Less Than A New Kia Soul
-
Holy Crap, Someone Just Paid $41,750 For A Volvo 245 DL But It Actually Makes Sense
-
Why Torture Yourself With A Cheap S-Class When You Can Just Buy 19 Feet Of Lincoln?
-
You Can Buy A Modern Italian Sports Car That Won’t Bankrupt You For The Price Of A Mitsubishi Mirage
-
You Can Buy A Dodge Ram With A Freaking Viper V10 For The Price Of A New Ford Maverick
Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.
Does it come with a riding mechanic?
The paint is way too much. Not that the whole build is the epitome of elegance, so I guess it fits. And I’m a fan of RRC:s (own ’86).
Kind of a (more?) modern Jerrari!
I don’t care how dumb it is…. I love it for it’s craziness.
Maybe the pics are not doing it justice but this thing looks like an English version of a redneck K5 Blazer here in the states.
we would have used a larger displacement V8. I am sure the old 6.75 liter Rolls Royce v8’s are cheap by now and American transmissions bolt up, so New Process probably makes an adapter for a decent Low first gear trans and Alta 2 t-case.
Ahh yeah, the turbo 400 was used for a long time. Now we’re cookin!
I wouldn’t blink if that was a ’72 Blazer with Old Glory emblazoned across the front end. Yet somehow, it just feels odd to see it done with a British flag. Counter-counterpoint, somehow its also just fine to put the Union Jack on the roof of a mini cooper.
“with an emphasis on precision and tidiness, striving for a factory-like finish”
Aim higher, guys.
Damn you Jj, now I have coffee all over my keyboard.
Are you using a Lucas keyboard?
QotD
Q-plates are usually for kit cars, aren’t they? Any Brits here with opinions?
They are for kit cars, and also for vehicles “whose age or identity is in doubt.”, which can include modified cars, ex-military vehicles etc. It used to be that people would do their best to keep a standard numberplate (usually from whichever vehicle contributed the largest parts to a kit car, such as the engine), but it seems like it’s an option to request a Q plate, and as they’re pretty rare now* I can see that people might now find them desirable.
(*Registration numbers starting with a letter stopped in 2001, now we have the form AA00BBB)
It’s likely that enough parts have been changed or modified that the DVLA doesn’t consider it to be the original vehicle any more. There’s points assigned to keeping the original (or standard replacement parts) and if it’s less than 8 then it can’t use the original plate. Info here: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles
They could’ve gotten at least 50% more for this if they skipped the hideous paint job and kept it green like every other Range Rover from this generation.
None more British? Not until it hates itself.
Now you can tip over at high speed! That outside is woof! Inside is nice as you stated.
I just don’t understand this one, and I am someone who can get behind stuff like this usually. I wouldn’t even want it for free, the amount to get it un-uglied would be equal to the cost of purchase.
I’ve never seen that quad headlamp arrangement before. Is that an ‘over the pond’ only thing?
Also, they worked on it for 2-3 years and it’s only going to 30-40k pounds? Not much of a ROI on this one, is there?
Also, also, that flag motif is friggin hideous. Is there such thig as a Redneck Limey?
Kind of, yeah. We call them Gammons. Not quite the same except for the flag thing and the conservatism. But yeah. That thing needs a respray, stat.
This vehicle is the ultimate pedestal on which to display the reliability of the MAN medium duty flat deck tow truck
That flag makes it seem more American, not British. British would be a small Union Jack decal on the sides maybe, which even then would make some buyers uneasy.
Mmmm warm air intakes
Warm air intake for Warm beer-drinking brits!
We don’t drink warm beer. I don’t even know where you’d get warm beer, unless you bought a cold one and left it outside on one of the eight days a year the weather is warm.
There is much to mock the British for (or, let’s be honest, it’s the English you’re mocking, the Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish are basically fine), but not the temperature of the beer.
I think the warm beer trope comes from cask ales that are kept at cellar temp rather than refrigerated.
That said, cask ales are friggin glorious! Some of the best beer I’ve ever had, and I have had quite a few in my life.
Lol isn’t that V12 two Duratec Ford Taurus engines glued together?
I know when I think British, I think jellybean Taurus.
The Brits would prefer you say it was pasted together. It sounds more proper that way.