The LOST Classic Range Rover Conversions - Sheer Rover, Rapport Range Rover + More!

[@mikec2111]

I recall a custom 6wd version used as a fire tender at RAF Manston. Whilst the large fire trucks had to drive to a crash via runways and taxiways due to their weight, the Range Rover could drive in a straight line across the grass. The vehicle was stripped out with just a driver’s seat and behind this was a high pressure pump, a foam generator and a water tank. The driver, always on duty wearing a full aluminium fire suit had a simple instruction. “In case of fire drive straight towards the burning aircraft, when close enough start the foam gun on the roof but keep driving. When the windscreen cracks due to heat, jump out leaving the pumps running”. In service the vehicle was expendable and was expected to last about two minutes before it caught fire but this was enough time for the larger fire tenders to get to the scene.

[@AtheistOrphan]

My local fire station had one of those, it replaced a Land Rover and was itself replaced by a Mercedes G-Wagen.

[@EuropaSman]

I think the Range Rover fire engines were Carmicheal Commando conversions.

[@bentullett6068]

Some got re-purposed after their service as a fire tender. In Tenby Wales they brought a few of the old fire tenders and stripped the back off them and made them into ice-cream vans. One was put up for sale in 2020.

[@kevincraven4038]

In the early noughties, as a logistics driver, I was sometimes tasked to collect Overfinch and Kahn conversions and drive/deliver them to their new owners (or their shipping companies). It made a nice change from delivering the Audis, Fords, Vauxhalls, Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas, VWs, and Peugeots that made up our usual commissions.

[@AntonHoward-mx9sb]

I really love the honesty and simplicity of early Range Rovers, especially the grille design. Not keen on many of these conversions, a lot are straight proof that money does not buy taste, but i wouldnt say no to an Overfinch 570, as long as it was a two door shell. Great video again, and good to see you keeping the standard up 👍

[@tomdrives]

Thanks Anton, I agree, personally a two door classic is the best. I saw one in Pembrokeshire a while back and spoke to the owner, it was a lovely old thing.

[@philhawley1219]

Thirty years ago in the Middle East I saw several of these hideous restyled RRs driving around. How unbelievable that the designer/charlatans got away with it, I'm surprised that David Bache and the Rover team never put a contract out on their heads. The original RR was an outstanding design of restraint and the purposeful. I was pleased to own one, in fact it is the only car I really regret selling except for the 14 mpg.

[@mikeyratcliff3400]

Fantastic, and thank you! Bit of a RR fan here, first up in the '80's I saw on a farm in Wiltshire a 6 wheel trayback that seemed to be a professional conversion, although hauling hay round a farm seemed undignified- second there was a Farcel growing roots in the '90's near the Marcos works in Westbury ( I was powder coating the Marcos chassis at the time ), and finally this year in Witney Oxfordshire there is a 'Cosrover' which is an early '90's variant which appears yet again to be a limited run using Cosworth parts...

[@rolfmak1400]

There are some hilarious cars made in the past. Great video! Thanks Tom.

[@tomdrives]

Definitely is but there’s also some questionable stuff happening now as well

[@ScreamingLordStokes]

The Glenfrome Facet looks like something out if Gerry Anderson's UFO! It speaks volumes about the integrity of the original Range Rover design that none of those conversions come anywhere near to improving its looks. Great video, must've taken some research.

[@chimpteaser]

In 1980 I worked with the daughter of the boss of BL East Africa. She had pictures of her dad's company car in Kenya, a Range Rover with an actual SD1 front end grafted on. It looked better than the SD1 conversions shown as more of the SD1 sheet metal was used. I think it was a local conversion done after a collision that damaged the original front end. There were many pictures of the car with various large animals in the background.

[@bluey875]

Overfinch also built a v12 jag powered rangie which was facilitated by stretching the front end to accommodate the lump

[@tomdrives]

I’ll see if I can find out more! Thanks

[@iankuah8606]

I knew the late Arthur Silverton of Schuler Presses who founded Overfinch and created the Mustard Yellow Jaguar V12-engined 'Strange Rover.' We were both High Performance Club members trained by the legendary John Lyon who ran BSM's High Performance Course (HPC) at the time. Arthur brought the 'Strange Rover' to our Goodwood trackday in 1982 and gave me a ride round the circuit. It was quite astonishing how the higher viewpoint improved the sight lines on this flat and expansive circuit, and we were able to overtake hot hatches in the most unlikely places! The longer V12 was accommodated by stretching the chassis and bodywork between the bulkhead and front wheels, so the front-end proportions were a bit like the supercharged Mercedes SLR McLaren, which houses its 'cooling towers' in that area on either side.

[@edwinsmith-jones6205]

The Huntsman convertible, as seen in Octopussy, looks fantastic. It's the only one I'd choose over the 3 door original.

[@goose4150]

First time ever I know one of these conversions in advance: the Sheer Rover. I've got one issue of an Italian magazine with a service on that model

[@uncensored5104]

My sister used to be the secretary to Les Pickett in South Ruislip. As a teen I would often get to look around the workshops at the Range Rovers & Mini's. I was later offered an apprenticeship with them when I left school, but refused it to work at a Ford dealer instead.

[@tomdrives]

Good or bad decision in hindsight?

[@uncensored5104]

@@tomdrives Both I guess! Working for W&P would have given me more opportunities in different skill sets, but they sold the business and relocated to Surrey a couple of years later, so I would have been jobless or would have had a long commute to work. My only reason for going to Fords, was because I preferred the brand as a 16 y/o, which ended up the right choice. My sister wasn't best pleased, because it was her that got me the job offer and I think she was embarrassed when I didn't take it. All water under the bridge now.

[@cambridgemart2075]

@@uncensored5104 They relocated to St Albans before selling up, I helped move some of the equipment and vehicles.

[@trol9926]

please do some stuff about the Reliant scimitar GTE SE6, love the car to bits

[@leno4920]

Excellent stuff...v interesting....thanks for your efforts & research. 👍

[@andrewshiels8633]

Overfinch also offered a 5.0 V8 sourced from a Camaro aswell as the 5.7 Corvette engine

[@downhillchris2809]

"And that's fine in a car which weighs nearly 2 tonnes... If your name is BP Esso McShell."

[@bigbird2100]

Great video 👍 I remember reading about a range rover with a open rear deck and single seat that at a push of a button go up or down for the sheikh doing a bit of falconry!

[@TheWacoKid1963]

What about the two or three popemobiles? one was XDU 111X, can't remember the others

[@gc7820]

“I have more money than sense and want to make my Range Rover look hideous” Wood & Picket: “this way sir”

[@StoffelDilligas]

"This is the new range rover Evoque... It says in the brochure "highly customisable".... ....which translates to "go on, do your worst". " Jeremy Clarkson came out with some jem's, didn't he....

[@DavidBarker-ml9pn]

A company called Townley Cross Country Vehicles also created lots of conversions. They had a showroom in Mayfair. I own a 1981 Townley convertible with documents showing the original the sale. Although the docs show it was sold by Townley it looks exactly the same as a Rapport Starlight. I know someone else who also has a Townley Convertible but it’s not the same as mine. It’s a shame that a lot of the information has been lost in time.

[@JayTee-bc4xm]

They were based in Bexleyheatyh Kent, where they also had a showroom, not only did they stretch them they also widened the bodies and axles, open backed with high set seat probably for hunting or hawking, the showroom always had people with their noses pressed against the windows.

[@gafrers]

Interesting and quality as always. I didn't know any of these. Just rumors of a V12 Jaguar engine in *old* Range Rover. Thank You. 👌👌👌

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

One of my favourite episodes of Minder featured in the intro. I recall many engine conversion companies, especially one offering the Mazda 3.5 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine. It was a great engine and suited the Range Rover, just as good as the V8 petrol in terms of power but more torque and better economy.

[@tomdrives]

Series 1 episode 5

[@philhealey4443]

I had a test drive of the Mazda conversion I think in Glasgow, around 1990 as a possible upgrade for my 1986 petrol Ninety. Impressive, but I couldn't justify the cost.

[@alanreilly2754]

It's a truly shocking indictment on the state of BL management and marketing that it took a full 11 years to launch a 5-door version of the RR!

[@philhealey4443]

I'm still baffled by the history of my 1978 four door Range Rover, although the 'Special Vehicles' stickers could be the simple answer.

[@TipTopMotors.]

It isn't a Monteverdi vehicle is it? They started building them in 1978 although not launched until 1980 and were built with approval and cooperation with Land Rover? Its certainly not just ordinary.

[@philhealey4443]

@@TipTopMotors. Not sure, I think it is 1990s conversion as it has the 3 spoke GKN wheels, Marina door handles, vinyl roof and had an ugly EFi type front grille (which I changed back to the original vertical slatted style. It has the original carburettored engine, a 5 speed manual transmission and very nice leather. I've had it nearly 25 years and it's done only around 7,000 miles, but it needs recommissioning after some years of resting.

[@MrPabsUk]

You sure its not a reshell? I`m guessing you`ve already been onto the trust for the cars build details.

[@philhealey4443]

@MrPabsUk Fairly sure not reshelled as most of the panels are crusted with ancient underseal etc and it has the early fuel filler like a Series 3 LR. I think I contacted BMIHT when I first acquired it but recall nothing conclusive. I should probably persevere !

[@HuggybearFezzy]

I really enjoyed this episode, it was great to learn about some of the versions created. You did miss out the TWR specials.

[@tomdrives]

I’ve not heard of those? Do you have any more info?

[@HuggybearFezzy]

@@tomdrives I Tom, I uploaded a link but it seems to have e disappeared. I'll get in touch using Facebook.

[@philelliott5327]

I had a 1981 Schuler Range Rover in Australia. It had the first automatic coupled to a Ferguson FF limited slip centre diff. It offered an early form of anti lock brakes. The engine had a different cam and a few more horsepower.

[@marklongman3860]

Great informative film, thanks.

[@User-wollswoycegawage]

You look in to the interesting car's Most don't even know about 👍👍👍 And Also like the details of rare cars Most people don't even notice Unless you point it out to them

[@Klutch58Customs]

Super vid mate. In my pointless and unnecessary opinion: I love the custom range's from that era and I always fancied making my own but each time I look again at the original design and think that any alterations spoil the original design. I need to look at a standard classic after this video to cleanse my palate!

[@bentullett6068]

Land Rover Special Vehicle's has a massive portfolio of many specially converted Land Rover's. The forward control Land Rovers are a interesting topic as well.

[@yipyipoman]

i came across a beat up one with the two r’s removed…. ANGE OVER… best mod ever

[@davidpowell7614]

Great commentary on the fantastic Range Rover. I have a Classic in Canada that I fitted out for expeditions and is powered by the TD5 diesel. Hasn’t turned a wheel in a while but still looks good and likely a ‘one off’ conversion.

[@tomdrives]

What type of expeditions if you don’t mind me asking?

[@davidpowell7614]

@@tomdrives Multiple trips to Iceland, inspired by Clarkson’s original TV series. Eventually drove from Aberdeen to Canada, via a few ferries: Shetlands, Iceland, Nefoundland, then Labrador.

[@colinpyke4199]

My brother owned A Janspeed turbo SD1 Vitesse ,silver it was written off on the A303 near Andover . Reg was DDD***Y. The engine went in a 110 landrover.

[@robertwanless2025]

Brilliant video, keep it up.

[@jamiewallace7685]

Great video, as always. Just one thing though........the 't' in Rapport is silent. 👍

[@a11csc]

awesome vid tom, delivered a few times to overfinch birstall

[@tomdrives]

Thanks Chris

[@iananderson4897]

Quick correction regarding Schuler, they used the Brock HDT engine from 1983. I had a chance to buy a very tatty one a few years ago but alas didn't have anywhere to store it. The seller claimed it was the Australian demonstration vehicle with every possible option. All I could confirm was it had a Holden V8 instead of a Rover V8, FF transfer case, Recaro seats and a 1 piece lift up tailgate. But it was all in boxes.

[@AtheistOrphan]

8:28 - Didn’t Anneka Rice ride around in one of these in ‘Challenge Anneka’?

[@robertodaggis7244]

Everyone was too busy clocking her arse to notice the transport.

[@garymorris801]

Very good mate

[@EuropaSman]

Carmicheal produced the 6 wheeled fire engines based on their Range Commando conversion. The Brooklands Museum has one. I'm not sure but I think Boscombe Down might have had one when I worked there in the mid to late 1990s.

[@bentullett6068]

Some of the 6 wheeled fire tenders also got converted again. There were a few rebuilt into ice-cream vans and they would be seen mainly driving up and down the beach in Tenby. One of them was put up for sale in 2020.

[@olatron]

When I was 12 in '87 I had a rich friend at school... went to stay at his Dad's house for a sleepover and among other mind blowing rich people things was a 6 wheeled Range Rover parked in the courtyard, it had a big TV in the back and looked a bit sorry for itself, I just remember they had all this amazing stuff and didn't seem to care about any of it.

[@klaushergersheimer8315]

Very interesting, thanks!

[@tomdrives]

Glad you enjoyed

[@neilmckay8649]

I recall seeing a Chevette headlighted white RR with black 5-spoke alloy wheels and bright red leather interior in a LR book. Can't recall the conversion name though.

[@GuyNamedKy]

11:34 has Escort RS Turbo bonnet vets thrown on the front wings lol could be worse though, someone could put an entire Ford front end on one, now that would be truly horrendous,,,,, wait a minute lol

[@tomdrives]

😂

[@mikecleasby709]

The SD1 fronted option looks like they nicked the nosecone off Mad Max’s “last of the V8 interceptors”…….. 🤔🤔😆

[@Daniel-OConnell]

One popular conversion was replacing the v8 petrol engine with the Ford 6 cylinder "york" engine from the Ford A series light truck. Although it was adequate for the time, it was an indirect injection diesel as were most light diesels before TDI and common rail. The Italian VM engine was also used in later conversations and was far superior. Just imagine what could have been achieved with modern CR engines with 200HP.

[@DavidAnthonyDickerson]

My favourite vehicle was a 1984 , 4door range rover, with a 1990 , 300 tdi, retrofitted into it, what a beast, should have called it Christine 😊😊

[@TheFrem1]

In the 80's in North Devon where i lived there was a local BBC Radio Devon DJ called Ian Brass and he drove one of the six wheeled Range Rover, Whether it was actually his or owned by the BBC i don't know but it did have the BBC logo over the vehicle. Always took a second look when it drove past.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

Was the Huntsman (5:40) used in James bond?

[@AtheistOrphan]

Yes, Octopussy.

[@350c10]

Could you do a video like this of classic coachbuilders of the Series trucks? Not the new Defender stuff, old stuff like this.

[@mikerichards9196]

My old [many years retired] mechanic worked at Lex Mead when the original rangey came out. He was not terribly complimentary about their build quality. Nothing changes, eh?

[@zounds010]

Possibly the most-produced modified Range Rover was the TACR2, an airport fire tended based on the Carmichael 6x4 design.

[@Koulis_]

I'm sure these conversions were good cars but some of those nose designs really could have used some input from better designers.

[@TheSimonhammond]

Hint of L405 in the one with SD1 headlights.

[@ltj733]

I have a Rapport 110 chassis for restoration.

[@ColinGarner-h1t]

I don’t think you pronounce the ‘T’ at the end of RAPPORT.

[@AtheistOrphan]

You’re correct.

[@davepoultney4719]

No mention of CSK. Brooklands. Linley. Holland and Holland.

[@Low760]

I've seen a brock holden dealer team Holden 308 rangie in Melbourne. I thought they were for Australia. Given they were 4 door i thought they were 83 on? Actually. My mate has one also.

[@cambridgemart2075]

WP also offered gun racks and an engine swap to a big block Chevrolet engine.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

A StrangeRover with a plastic Holden engine. About the only one that made sense. 3.5 litre are gutless thirsty pigs. 4.4 P38 conversions only marginally better. But when in good order do drive well,, and sometimes the windows go up and down and very occasionally the a/c actually works. Bad vehicles that could have been good. These days a stupidly expensive boulevard cruiser. I go places that a 4wd is best suited,,, I once even saw a blingy black Strangerover towing a tiny caravan. He arrived about 4 hours later than us,[In a Landcruiser] over about 200 miles. And these were roads that I would [and have] take a normal passenger car carefully. This outback South Oz

[@davidblackburn6569]

i have a range rover carawagon camper conversion one of maybe 10 made its my only car

[@paulknight3793]

In the auto trader in the late 1980s . Advertisement for ex OIL field Range Rovers convertibles with bench seats in back. Lots of then in sand colour £1500 each. I didn’t buy one . FFS I bottled it V8s

[@dudleyblokerave]

There used to be a white 6 wheeled topless Range Rover in Birmingham in the early 1980's.

[@PaulGarnett-sl8ej]

I have a Sheer Rover by Townley, I’m currently restoring it, when it done you’re welcome to take a look

[@cambridgemart2075]

WP not Townley

[@chrisblay]

Some of those designs put me in mind of Wacky Races from the seventies. 🤣🤣

[@tomdrives]

😂

[@philhealey4443]

National Lampoons also springs to mind where wood trim features.

[@User-wollswoycegawage]

The first shear 75 range rover has mk1 Granada headlights and indicators

[@davarosmith1334]

The Range Rover was the grand dad of all the copy cat 4x4s you see today! It's just a shame it's not fully British anymore!

[@van_trippin5260]

8:26, that car was "designed"? by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles?

[@tomdrives]

It’s considered “the ugliest SUV ever made”

[@van_trippin5260]

@@tomdrives Its got to be one of them. Pontiac could argue that title tho

[@matthewc.419]

@3.49 Imagine a 6 wheeled range rover convertible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tomdrives]

It’d be like an open top bus

[@matthewc.419]

@@tomdrives 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈 Top video mate , really enjoyed it , Corrvette engine 5.5 !!!!! " OVERFINCH " are super sick Love them 6 wheeled ones , wonder if all 6 were driven ??

[@User-wollswoycegawage]

A friend of the family had an early 3 door range rover with Ferguson formula conversion Automatic gearbox it had a T shifter same as the ford Capri in chrome Bedford TK indicators/side lights Fitted in a horrible glass fibre mounted Same place as standard indicator position And Ferguson formula badge on tailgate It was white Maybe it was a prototype for police (My opinion) Or maybe it was a police range rover Don't no I'm guessing surmising Think it was a J or K reg 71/72

[@manofthehour6856]

None of the custom creations were an aesthetic improvement on the iconic Range Rover fascia, although I completely understand why the monied set would want some bespoke. Rapport's Granada front end cheapened it, and the W & P SD1 fascia did not integrate well at all. Honestly, if you consider that the Range Rover is primarily horizontal and vertical lines, random angled lines look very awkward. All this being said, the 1970s and 1980s were great in that wit enough money, you could get some very unique, whereas today, most customizations need to be done at the point of assembly as manufacturers rather they made the profit from anything unique rather than aftermarket firms. The sumptuous interiors on some of these models are sublime, and where I'd want to spend the money. That is where I would be sitting and my vantage point most of the time, so I'd prefer to be satisfied than trying to impress others.

[@The-Rectifier]

Dont forget....Montevederdi Range Rover😊

[@AtheistOrphan]

Compliment your OTT 6-wheel Range Rover with a Laird Centaur, the bonkers half-track Land Rover.

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

How to make the wonderful Range Rover and make it look ugly. The front ends added to these classics made them look like a Halfords Saturday special. The person who thought of putting the headlights from an SD1 instead of the original front has no idea. As for the early 4 door versions looked ridiculous.

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

Give me a bone stock base model any day! I see the conversions where the logo has changed as 'stolen valour'. It does not matter whether it is Overfinch or Brabus, you can't just take a car that has taken millions to develop, slap some carbon fibre on it and new decals to fool everyone all of the time. I would like a decent series on the whole history of this and how the psychology of it works. If I see a Range Rover with Overfinch on the bonnet, I still see it as a Range Rover. They really could just have a small badge on the boot but they can't do that because nobody would ever see it. Same with Brabus, it is just a fake logo for people that have more money than sense. But when did this start? Was there some dickhead putting his own logos on a Model T Ford just for adding some walnut to the dashboard? And when will it end? Is anyone doing this in the China market? How well do the like of Overfinch sell there?

[@seanmettam-fox526]

Just give me the original 2-door CSK special edition.

[@eurouc]

That’s one bunch of seriously hideous cars 🥴🥴🥴

[@lucasrem]

The Pope's rover you forgot

[@goblin457]

There's some very strange modifications here aren't there

[@tomdrives]

Definitely some weird ones

[@goblin457]

@@tomdrives Some look really cool then others look utterly bizarre.

[@AtheistOrphan]

‘Strange Rover’

[@goblin457]

​@@AtheistOrphan🤣 brilliant

[@daveys]

Some properly ugly grille designs in this video, but fascinating as always!

[@craigluft7453]

they should have allowed all these obnoxious conversions to be imported to the U.S. free of all taxes and fees. these are honorary 'Merican cars

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

It's Jan/Speed not yanspeed thanks.

[@tomdrives]

I think you’re wrong. It’s definitely not JAN-Speed.

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

The slash was to differentiate betwine the syllables to aid the pronunciation and trust me it is definitely Jan speed .

[@bleizbreizh6264]

I visited wood and picket in the early 80s and photographed their new 'Longchamp' a lightly re-worked Range Rover, I rather liked it but recall the price was an eye watering £55k. No idea if they made many. I also went to Glenfrome in Bristol not long after. The original Delta sports car was there gathering dust, it and the outrageous 'Facet' were designed by a nice chap called Denis Adams who was known for a motorbike dubbed the Adams Probe and other designs. He was full of ideas but of course constrained by the huge cost of development. At the time these vehicles seemed out of this world

[@doomybear7389]

This one brings back good memories when I was a lad, Parts man in a dealership in Bristol and Glenfrome(pronounced Glenfroom, don't worry the BBC always get's it wrong Frome is pronounced Froom locally) a customer of ours and I was given a tour of the factory when they were building the Facet, as a lad thought it was wonderful now as an old git all I can see is going A** over T** trying to get in and out of it, This was in the days far far away when working in the motor trade was fun now management treat parts staff as second hand citizens,