1987 Range Rover | Retro Review

LS1 swap, Bro!

[@flashindapan7965]

John Davis's life frustration from 1981 to 1992, no oil pressure or voltage gauge.

[@abelucious]

Car manufacturers got rid of them without sending him a memo, he was lost and confused.

[@WitchyWhale]

Flashindapan I can see most vehicles getting rid of an oil pressure read out but a voltage gauge can be handy, especially if you are having battery problems.

[@cpufreak101]

at least there are third party companies that help out with that, I seen a voltage gauge that plugs right into your cigarette lighter outlet

[@suavehouse5150]

Lol

[@gedaman]

Ford kept them on the Crown Victoria until the end of production at least. For a long time there was no tachometer, but you always had oil pressure and voltage gauges.

[@flashindapan7965]

'No one thought a luxury SUV would make it in this market' lol.

[@brien1254]

Flashindapan haha now they dominate the market.

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

Yes, that’s what people thought back then.

[@MrCarguy2]

John Davis - 1987

[@dodgers4121]

this model is more a luxury off road.

[@kenon6968]

Well its closest competitor and likely inspiration was the Grand Wagoneer, which sold 50k units in it's 4 finals years, gangbusters for AMC but relative chump change for anyone else. Leyland couldn't build them fast enough to keep up with existing demand as it stood. They'd been laughed out of the US market twice before so I could see the thought process of not really rushing to spend money they never had to federalize and build a sales/service network from scratch for a model that was doing more than fine without the US market and was a niche concern of their anyways. Rover, divested of the need to fight a losing battle in the mass market and most Leyland's union woes, could take a gamble by actually modernizing the design and take its time to set up a successful entry. It's quite an accomplishment for a company that was nearly bankrupt a few years previously.

[@limpunsing224]

For me, it is the most iconic SUV of all time The "X-factor" of its presence is always around

[@InvestBetter.]

Aluminum body panels 30 years ago? Impressive.

[@Taavetti_Karhu]

Aluminium body panels in Range Rover since the introduction in 1970

[@Juanknes]

Nissan TitanWarrior Early Land Rovers already used them since the beginning, in late 40's.

[@shellcasing1040]

I was surprised too, because even today it's still touted as the new sh*t, for example the Ford F150, which recently went full aluminum too.

[@xZeiZeix]

Aluminum yes, except that hood, rear corners and rear trunklid. Hood in these later models has gas struts to lightenin it. Steelhood is Heavy. Only prototype Velars had aluminum hoods in late 60s - early 70. Inner frame is steel also.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Aluminum body's on some of the most expensive cars have been on them way longer than 30 years!

[@meerkat006]

An amphibious exploration vehicle. It's not a starter car, it's a finisher car.

[@deejayimm]

Which is funny considering the reputation for being unreliable.

[@vavo4902]

For a god, a GOLDEN GOD!!

[@sarcasticproductions5794]

Bro you're talking about landcruiser

[@dl6860]

@@vavo4902 i'm so happy someone got it.

[@alfamonk]

Absolute classic design. Still rarely bettered, particularly the original clean 3dr. Getting very pricey now too..

[@liverush24]

alfamonk Original 3 door = drool.

[@bikerman6907]

liverush24 my uncle bought his RR new in 1974, and still has it, it is in really! good condition, around 90000 kms on the clock.

[@liverush24]

Bikerman 690 Great news. I would have one in my dream car collection.

[@bikerman6907]

liverush24 they had some flaws... but technically, RR were 20 years ahead of its rivals, I have two of them, 95 Y60 Patrol, and 1995 Landcruiser 80, both in mint condition. Sure the Geländewagen, from 1979- onwards was a better vehicle offroad, but lacked a lot!! when it came to luxury/refinement/ design.. cheers

[@liverush24]

Bikerman 690 I'm a sucker for flawed vehicles. Don't know why. But that's not why I love classic Range Rovers, I just do.

[@landyachtfan79]

I've been waiting for this!!!!! The first year that the RR was sold here in America. Fun Fact: the 3.5 liter V8 that powered this vehicle is the same one that Buick used in their cars in the '60's.

[@Banom7a]

Rover bought them and improvised it a little bit( nee buick 215)

[@peter455sd]

Beginning of the 60s...

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Engine actually first appeared about 1950 in Buick concept cars... full production 1960...

[@kevinwoodard6571]

I remember when Range Rover made its first entry in North America. A good old fashioned body-on-frame vehicle, giving its off road capability.

[@stevel9914]

And despite all the negative comments Range Rover are still a hugely successful business marketing a premium priced product that millions aspire to. They still traverse all off road courses no matter how old or new. Anyone criticising reliability should look to history of many marques where they will find engine self destruction, gearbox obliteration, massive electrical failures. There isn't a manufacturer that hasn't suffered such stuff..... but where it counted Range Rover left you sitting in a regal position in genuine luxury whilst (in theory) driving up a 1 in 3 mountain track. That's why people buy them, it's why people stay loyal to the brand and why there is a monumental following for all things Land Rover.

[@blancaw6280]

2:40 yup all those warning lights look quite familiar! Several of them could be seen lit up like a Christmas tree at any given time on mine. As soon as I would have one repaired, another indicator would come on. The car was not exactly noted for it's reliability.

[@roguedalek900]

One word : Lucas.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Was not exactly known for being unreliable either.

[@JasnoGT]

I got to drive an 87' just like this in the mid nineties. This vid brings back that memory.

[@nicologarcia]

Please keep 'em retro vids coming, MotorWeek!!! Love this channel.

[@DanielPerkins]

Love these old 4x4 reviews!

[@davidaubin3902]

2:30 the warning lights sound like a startup toy robot! LOL

[@TheSoupdragon1968]

That's because we don't need them in the UK. So someone bought the chepest warning bong and spliced it in... Rover make do and mend mentality. But that's why they keep going...

[@RoadCone411]

I always loved the classic Range Rovers...yeah, they were SLOW, and probably built by people who would rather have been watching football on telly rather than worrying about quality control, but these were off-road beasts! Who doesn't love the idea of doing some mud-bogging while sitting on a high perch in comfy leather seats with woodgrain trim on the doors and a Jaguar-level of luxury? You don't see them anymore, unfortunately; I can't recall the last time I saw a Range Rover from this generation (or the second boxy generation, for that matter) in this country. You still see some in their homeland, maybe because it's cheaper to keep them going and more were sold there.

[@risingembersgaming7740]

The new range Rover covers the quarter mile in the time this one gets to sixty. Progress! I still like the old one though

[@theinternets7516]

This one almost takes a quarter mile to get to 60. With a car full of people I'm sure it would.

[@johnnymason2460]

These days Range Rovers cost over $100,000(some close to $200,000)! How times have changed!

[@kz1000ps]

Those offroad shots from 5:09 to 5:41 were pretty damn sexy! You can tell the production crew had fun making and putting those shots together.

[@neuropathy5164]

first experience with a REAL range rover - definitely fun. these originals were awesome and the only true range rover.

[@ballardstowingandoffroadre2367]

I own 3, 1988 Range Rover Classics and LOVE them. We trail Off-road almost every weekend and I've beat the crap outta my Landies and they just keep going and going !. And talk about being feared !! Everytime I show up to a "Jeep" event, I make a LOT of people mad !! Cause my mostly Stock Range Rover runs circles around those "Heavly Modified" high dollar Jeeps !!.

[@TheSoupdragon1968]

Take a look on hear at what is Brits put them through off road!!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Lovely looking SUV. I remember when the Range Rover looked like this. I didn't find it very attractive *at the time,* at least not compared to Toyota's Land Cruiser FJ60 and 62. But today, with every change made to the Range Rover's appearance, I find the first RR more and more attractive. The only thing I didn't like was the lack of a turbo diesel engine for US market vehicles.

[@danielanju960]

I remember watching Brits reviewed this gen RR and mention the dash made out of "quality plastic" and mentioned how cheap plastic on LC's dash. I'm glad MotorWeek showed me that is total lie.

[@nkt1]

Everyone knew the original Range Rover’s ‘Airfix’ dashboard materials were rubbish.

[@hakeemsd70m]

A darn good review of a classic British 4x4! It was the best of the best at the time both off the beaten path and on it. Still the best looking Range Rover of all time in my humble opinion. I dig the versatile interior. However, the interior plastic surprises me, but on the plus side it's very easy to clean. Also surprising is the now-notoriously poor Range reliability.

[@sagata7143]

One of the best cars ever made!

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

And look how far Land Rover and Range Rover has come since they came back to America in ‘87 (which was also the year Jeep became part of Chrysler). 1987 seemed like a pretty memorable year for SUVs (then called just “4x4s”.)

[@juanzingarello4005]

I remember my first ever experience with a classic Range Rover as an American kid. My dad had a client who was often out of town and requested my dad to take his cars for a drive from time to time to keep the fluids from going stale. This one time he takes me with him to take the Range Rover Classic and the one thing I couldn’t get out of my head was how quirky and unusual this vehicle was. His other cars were diesel mercedes.

[@hammerki1]

I remember watching this when I was a kid!

[@ericbritton9346]

These RR is hard to find in mint condition.

[@MrOhcock]

If only they cared about their cars' reliability performance.

[@Alanc419]

Random stranger - unfortunately this hasn't stopped the prices of 25 year old Defenders from shooting past $70,000......

[@ruk2023--]

Most of them have rusted into the ground is why lol. Honestly, the body might be aluminium but everything else wasn't and all fell apart.

[@twstrchasr]

I have a mint 70,000 mile 1991 Ardennes Green RRC 😊

[@ericbritton9346]

twstrchasr I see...

[@edmeetze6324]

Love these retro reviews .. thank you motorweek

[@Salman-sc8gr]

It remains the Gold standard of the industry, absolutely magnificent in its latest incarnation.

[@strongereveryday2302]

No, no it is not. Its hideous, over bloated and completely off into "only douches drive them" category. Its overpriced and categorically the least reliable vehicle in the world by a wide margin. Every current Grand Cherokee or the New Wagoneer is better than every Range Rover or Land Rover.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

They have that classic Shape! Great with a v8...avoid the slow small engined diesel!

[@redheadwolfy]

Those SUV was good on the road and off road rough and long lasting type ✨

[@MotorFriend]

This is a finisher car, for a real 5 Star Man!

[@ryansrides9714]

Awesome video, thank you so much motor week!! Wow How much range rovers have changed over the years is amazing!! The information about the Buick engine being in this model was very interesting and unexpected!!

[@oliverjackson2594]

The video descriptions on this channel are great. "LS1 swap, bro!" Lol

[@thewiseowl3672]

A luxury SUV that you need a stick to hold the hood open with? ...and “inside everything you see is included.” That’s freaking amazing!! You get a steering wheel, dashboard, floor, gas pedal, and seats. I guess that settles it, then. A unique upscale, English, luxury SUV that comes with everything you see.

[@therealjayseh]

Hood prop. Lol 😂 Not so wise after all eh ?

[@TurboMan942]

Official car of white upper crust society. "Spaulding, there's a brown Audi in my parking space. Have it towed immediately!"

[@AdamAus85]

No need to be racist buddy.

[@AL-SH]

@@AdamAus85 lol white people are the biggest crybabies when it comes to making fun of their race

[@civlyzed]

@@AL-SH you sure about that? lol

[@jacobjames1171]

Even the new ones don't have a vety high resale value. The clasdic RRs look awesome.

[@donaldwilson2620]

Today, a new Range Rover goes 0-60 in the 5 second range.

[@AtomicReverend]

As somebody that has owned 3 I would stand to say this thing is still a great off road truck although very gutless especially in the mountains climbing grades... You have to pull over to allow others to pass... Off road this thing is amazing it climbs as good as any "tub" jeep I have owned (I haven't had a Rubicon yet!)

[@guillermomanzano5477]

Love Range Rover!! I have my 2006 L322 and I would not change it for anything

[@donaldwilson2620]

Ironically, the stalk mounted horn was also used on many Ford vehicles in the late 70's and early 80's.

[@chuckycheese84]

The warning lights sound like a security alarm is about to go off

[@galil_6863]

I clicked on this video to make fun of Range Rover reliability and ended up wanting to buy a range rover 😂

[@Trinavara]

The later ones were much better equipped new dash seats trim etc.they really set the Range Rover trend we see today..

[@mcearl8073]

“LS swap Bro!” Lmao, am I going to have to now go back through all these retro videos and read the descriptions.

[@bghoody5665]

Was John trying to pass off a Lucas fuel injection system as a good thing? Ha ha - funny guy.

[@user-sf5iq2fl1l]

Jeff is having fun experimenting the car

[@777jones]

P38 here. Love it. Just got it washed.

[@DGShackleford]

"which means they won't rust." Right. I wish my 1991 Classic knew it wasn't supposed to rust. Poor truck was a Flintstones car when it was parted out.

[@Alanc419]

EFI GM crate v8 (LS or Vortec) engine + 6L80 transmission. Newer electronic engine controls plus upgraded materials for the interior. Keep that beautiful Range Rover Classic shape and mix in new technology efficiency and (yes!) horsepower.

[@filipepinto4361]

“The body panels won’t rust” biggest joke of the century

[@dcanmore]

Yo Motorweek! Back in the 80s and 90s a UK engineering company called Overfinch did swap out the Buick/Rover V8 and replaced it with a customer ordered GM 5.0 or 5.7 (ICON do LS swaps in Calif today). Here is the original advert and specs www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-specials/overfinch-ltd---uk

[@sergiupuscasu2496]

Snob appeal, always the Range Rover’s best attribute.

[@mikesteelheart]

Which is funny because they're basically used as taxis in 3rd world countries lol.

[@deejayimm]

@@mikesteelheart for about 10 years, until they're totally used up and on the scrap heap. Mercedes sedans are the preferred third world Taxi.

[@Salman-sc8gr]

Oh so that is why the klever Japs finally gave up on the damn leaf springs and torsion bars by 1990 they just copied the 2970 RR suspension and still use that set up till this day.

[@celsovera91]

Dennis reynolds' car

[@BurtSampson]

Pairs well with a nice bowl of cereal during your morning commute.

[@yesoccifer]

This car is a finisher car!

[@pratyushbiswas7582]

I find it more beautiful and comfortable than a modern Range Rover

[@rahulvinalnarayan9743]

Good time to own a Range. Owning one now gives you anxiety as to when they might break down

[@jasonmeehan1269]

Love them very good 4x4s.

[@buoyant69]

The courtesy chimes remind me of the Speak and Spell I had as a child.

[@craigdavidson2278]

Had a 3.5 vogue.....wish i never had to have sold it, it would ne a great addition to my dream garage

[@josemontano7767]

Wow what a beauty and my favorite color too.

[@donaldwilson2620]

Over 30 years ago, the original Range Rover and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer were basically the only luxury SUV's on the market. Today, SUV's now dominate the luxury market.

[@northamericanauto43]

One of my favorite cars

[@sirmoney2762]

Old range rovers always made you look tall with those big windows

[@fullthrottlemetric]

Spot on review 👍🏻

[@yellowhammer3]

Horn on the stalk lol

[@sutherlandA1]

Fords did it for a while too during the 70s and 80s

[@RedKnight522]

Yea it’s really annoying because it’s easy to bump when using my turn signal

[@lesaber251]

My 1982 Ford Escort had that too. I got used to it.

[@hastingsdirect7300]

My 1997 106 has the same thing. Every time I try and honk someone I turn on the indicator

[@peteblaxmith]

You can't shift up while moving with the lt230? You can in my borg warner transfer case I'm surprised if that's the case.

[@a100267]

If those door hinges were a deal breaker for you, you only had to wait a year or two before they were hidden :)

[@icyhotmike]

When you could actually off road with a SUV...

[@suavehouse5150]

This Range Rover is brand new and he's already talking about replacing the doors lol 😂

[@wolfyboy11hitler61]

I like its power 153 horsepower and good 4 wheel drive fun for jungle drive

[@justinsanto2458]

All of those warning lights are always lit anyway

[@allmotorkp61]

That caption though!😂

[@boss12]

Still love these

[@torres3800]

After these beasts, the newer models reliability took a downward spiral.

[@theodor12]

Don't worry, these were horribly unreliable as well. Every Land Rover product is...

[@rob0079]

Love the RR design,but I prefer the defender though

[@JoseMartinez-jw2dy]

I have always had a thing for this Suv ,so cool looking, but how reliable they are has kept me away so they say

[@lsr2646]

Ha ha, I remember those fucking back seatbelts, since they were coming from the C Pillar, the angle they came forward meant they would strangle anyone who was a little small, lol

[@MY-pj8cd]

Imagine that, no market for a thing in the land of excess.

[@mega-hb4re]

Snob status. He was so right about that.

[@briteidea08]

Watching this reminds me of the exotic car dealer in Randallstown Maryland. Pretty sure they sold Land/Range rovers next to Lambo and Ferrari. Anyone remember the name of that place?

[@Clannantorc704]

briteidea08 I️ think that’s where ‘92 came from! I’ll check the original sales ticket.

[@MrFranland8]

I was waiting for this! Thanks

[@deadkemper]

the rear boot hatch rusted like hell..

[@alahollywood]

Those skinny tires are scary!

[@WitchyWhale]

It doesn't need an LS swap. These V8s are actually an GM design and can be modified easy.

[@Nonamenever557]

thatallredheadude The issues you mention aren't relevant to this era. 3.5l was very robust. Later versions in 4.0 and 4.6 suffer from dropped cylinder liners and were not as well made because they were using the same old tooling upto 2004! The cylinder liner issue has long been solved. 'top hat' cylinder liners are the cure.

[@mrsad1255]

The range rover does look good thou

[@roverguy78]

A lot of the wise cracks about reliability are inaccurate. Having owned 4 Range Rover Classics, I can say from actual experience that the powertrain is very robust and reliable. Also, all the electronics work perfectly on my 25 year old Range Rover.

[@MilesV8]

I agree having had a much loved RRC a few years ago. I made some changes though with a new 4.6 V8 engine. But it was fantastic and I still miss the old girl. I wish hadn't sold my Rangey.

[@Reddsoldier]

I still think British cars aren't inherently unreliable. It's down to whether Dave at the factory was away making tea when your car went past his station.

[@risingembersgaming7740]

hahahahahahahaha, making tea! That’s why they’re unreliable I mean they have character

[@godfatherNYC]

Notice they didn't even call these SUVs yet.

[@beyondthesky7472]

All I can say is WOW! 2019!

[@CMEZ97]

My dad had a 1990 .. nothing but problems!

[@theKevronHarris]

2:17 "But the Range Rover's dash is made of a coarse plastic that would look more at home in a Hyundai." I can see why some old-school cars (including today's) have used very cheap plastic for their interiors.

[@LMacNeill]

I like how he keeps calling it a '4x4'. The term 'SUV' was still a few years away in 1987.

[@rodmunch69]

SUV as a term was made popular by the Jeep Cherokee redesign in 1984. No one things as an SUV as a 4x4, and this is a 4x4 since it's literally mean for offroading.

[@BrownBoyCanadian]

Also with bumper to Bumper warranty for Doug Demuro

[@kennymacm3031]

Yup the aloooominum doesn't rust but the steel chassis looks like a collander after a few years

[@VARITHMS]

All aluminum!!! I'm glad gm didn't drop rocks on it

[@84impalaguy]

A buddy of mine has an 88/ 89' turbo diesel Range Rover that he imported years ago. It looks exactly like this one. Literally everything on it is broken save for the mechanical bits and the rear windshield wiper. Does get decent mpg at least- about 21 highway.

[@liverush24]

84impalaguy C'mon it's nearly 30 years old & made by B.L. If it was only 2 years old, only half of the things would be broken.

[@bmwman1981]

It’s a shame he brought the one with the wrong engine in it

[@andrewschulzsd]

Couldn't have been that long ago it wouldve only turned 25 in 13 or 14 to be legally imported

[@trevorthomas6043]

All those extra options on the Range Rover today is massive electrical problems.

[@jakubstrumillo]

I got once 1987 Vogue SWB Range Rover... its great and memorable car... and hood is made of steel,Not aluminium. This model from review i diffrent animal, i got EAS and no center difflock... and lots of luxory equipment.

[@albear972]

A very good friend of mine upgraded from a Suzuki Samurai to a Jeep Grand Cherokee to one of these in 1990 while she made it big as an investment banker. She hated the thing as it was the biggest lemon she'd ever owned and got rid of it in less that 3 years. Today she is still quite successful but has driven a Toyota FJ cruiser. She has told me she went past her stage of showing off wealth to strangers anymore. Now her house is over 1.5 million bucks in a I admit, a very hipstery neighborhood of LA that I would hate to live in and now has a heck of a nice nest egg.

[@roddydykes7053]

Wow as early as ‘87 some automotive journalists knew where the market winds would be blowing...

[@senorsenor2665]

LOVE THE 4#4 Allway s

[@guinnessharvey4476]

0.37 are you kidding me?? How times have changed:)