RRC, best truck ever?

[roverandom]

The Range Rover Classic is (for me) the best 4wd vehicle ever put into production. Anyone reading the posts on this forum may (unjustly) think on the RRC as a temperamental, rusty, unreliable and at best electrically challenged (read LUCAS) eccentric vehicle for old men with dogs. But, consider if you will its achievements and try to compare any vehicle past or present that can even come close to matching it.

100" wheelbase. Arguably the perfect trail friendly wheelbase length.
Box section frame. When others use C section.
Full time 4wd with diff lock.
4 wheel disc brakes (not a big deal now but at its launch in 1970 only exotic sports cars came with this).
Aluminium V8, with available TDI power later in production.
Coil springs.
Solid axles.
Able to seat five in comfort.
Exhibited at the National art museum along side the "mona lisa" in Paris France ( the only automobile ever to do so).
Only vehicle ever to cross the Darrian Gap.
Won the first Paris-to-Dakar rally.
Icon of the Camel trophy.
Used as a conveyance for Royalty. How posh can you get?
Used as a conveyance for the Pope. How divine can you want?
Used as a conveyance for the SAS. How tough can you be?
Used as a conveyance for the Police. How legally appropriate can you need?
Used as a 6wd firetender at airports/remote areas. How hot can it be?
Used as a 4wd and 6wd ambulance for airports and remote areas. How safe do you need?
A timeless design equally at home at the country club or down and dirty in the mud and rocks with its utilitarian stable mates.
25 year production life.
The base platform was so good and ahead of its time it was used for the hugely popular Discovery in 1989 when RRC was already 19 years old and went on until replaced by the Discovery 2.
Profitable for Land Rover from the first year of production.
Only vehicle ever to be successfully sold alongside it own replacement (the p38).
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...
and that's just off the top of my head, I suppose I could add, driven to more countries (without having to invade) than Hummer and Jeep combined, but that's another story.

So, if you can think of a worthy contender for the greatest ever 4wd give it a shot, if not just bask in the glory of the Range Rover!

[collins]

I do love my classic, big, comfortable, and everything else you mentioned. However it is also a heartbreaker, for the one year of ownership I have spent over $4000 in repairs just to keep it on the road. It is possibly the most unreliable truck I have ever seen! Every time I fix it something else breaks. My wife is pushing me to sell it. I don't think thats gonna happen, I will keep up the repairs as long as I can afford to.

[cellulararrest]

Just remember they have become old vehicles now....The newest are still 13 years old. They're not going to be as reliable as they were new.

[SafariDave]

My Rover at over 187500 miles has been the most reliable truck I have ever seen or had. Its our dayly driver and has never let us down. With the high miles on it original transfer case, transmission and engine our old boy loves to be driven, he is not perfect with a clonk here and there he is still is going. Maybe we are just lucky to have a 91 that is reliable. Old Faithful.

[jimfoo]

I don't know, I like my Series better. And they said it was the best car ever on Top Gear to boot. No finicky switches, better mileage, goes from a truck cab to full hard top, to soft top, to topless easily, and draws more attention. It also can live up to many of the claims for the RR in the first post. Not that I don't like my RR mind you('87), I just like my Series better.

[ArmyRover]

Mines been very reliable even when wounded she makes it home. I wouldn't go as far as most reliable vehicle ever. That goes to my old 740il.

It's not the best SUV ever but it's a damn good one to me.

[collins]

Well I'm glad you guys have good rovers, honestly. I do love my rover but it has let me down and stranded several times. Just tonight I took it out for a spin, on the way home all the dummy lights flashed and gauges went crazy. I pulled over and it stalled. I guess its the alternator? I was on a hill in my development so I was able to coast home. I think mine is cursed or possibly does not like me. I will try talking to her nicely and see if that works!

[ArmyRover]

go buy her a lift kit and some new tires and all will be well. That to a Rover is like diamonds to the wife

[hermanpj]

i dont know about best truck ever, but here's my position. i will say i like my '91 classic better than my 2000 4.6, and better than i liked my 2003 discovery 2. the classic is flat out a great looking truck. its the only car i've owned (out of about 15) that gives me a 'special' feeling. sometimes i see it from a distance in a parking lot and have to say '$%#% that is a good looking truck.'

it's also the only car that i've had a half dozen dealership employees come out of the parts department and get all giddy about. i'm talking about rover dealership employees who still see a fare share of Classics. people have waved me down on the Dallas tollroad and tried to shout questions about what year it is, and do they still make them like that while driving in rush hour traffic. any way, point is it gets a lot of positive reactions.

with the only offroad mods being bigger tires, an OME suspension, arb front bumper, east coast rover rear bumper, rock sliders and a warn winch, its not really that built up, but it performs like a champ on pretty tough trails (although its been a long time since i've been able to take her out).

at almost 200,000 miles, it still drives well (considering the suspension and tire changes), gets better mileage than my 4.6, and electrically everything still works except the lock for the lift gate. i just took it for an inspection and it passed with flying colors. apart from maintenance, trail upgrades and cosmetic improvements, i've never made a major repair on the truck since getting it in 2004.

we've owned 5 other cars during the time i've had my classic, and if gas prices aren't coming down, i'm honestly thinking of selling my 4.6. It has never crossed my mind to sell the Classic, and i know i'll do whatever i can to keep her running, and keep her heart a Rover. i'm getting all misty even thinking about it. maybe the Classic really is the best truck ever.

[Bleed Green RRC]

Let me just say that the Range Rover Classic is just simply that a "Classic"

The Classic is the pioneer of the SUV. It's all about the history & heritage of Land Rover.

Jimfoo No one can deny the history and importance of the Series Rover but it's truly in a different class.

[roverandom]

Originally Posted by jimfoo

I don't know, I like my Series better. And they said it was the best car ever on Top Gear to boot. No finicky switches, better mileage, goes from a truck cab to full hard top, to soft top, to topless easily, and draws more attention. It also can live up to many of the claims for the RR in the first post. Not that I don't like my RR mind you('87), I just like my Series better.

Nice try, I knew it would take another Land Rover to even come close to besting a Range Rover. But, although I do love the 88" and 109" simple charm I can't give it the top spot. Granted the later Range Rover Classics have a few woes with the electronics but the early ones that sold along side the Series are far simpler.

"Top Gear". Those guys can't agree on anything. (my favorite show by the way).

"No finicky switches". On the later Rovers, I can give you that one.

"better mileage". HA, if I drove as slow as a Series I would get better mileage too.

"Goes from a truck cab to full hard top, to soft top, to topless easily". True, but it also goes from soft top to leaky top as soon as it rains.

"draws more attention". Perhaps, in North America but not really true elsewhere in the world.

"It also can live up to many of the claims of the RR in the first post". Yes many, but not all.

I respectfully add to the case for the RRC, seats! Comfortable seats that is. Coupled with with compliant suspension, two things a Series Rover can never claim.

Like I said, nice try.....but no cigar.

[roverandom]

Almost forgot Brakes, Range Rovers got em, nice big disc brakes all round. Series Land Rovers, well...err....not so much.

[Funrover]

I couldn't be happier, I love my RRC!!!

[DaKeG]

I was just thinking about this the other day. I couldn't come up with anything that could top my 89. No air bag to blow up in my face, No ABS to fail. No anti-sway bars to disconnecet. Sure she sways side to side with a bit of tire squeel on those hard corners. No air bags to fail.
I always feel proud to be in my rover. Im always comparing the other cars in the area to my rover and none of them come close. I heart my rover.

[Thor]

I love my daily driver and hobby car. 1992 RR1!

never had a series... yet. I may look into a Series I at some point and learn how to do all my own work on a very simple vehicle.