Classic Range Rover gets V8-powered luxury restomod treatment from Kingsley KSR
'The best and most thoughtfully re-engineered Range Rover Classic in the world'
Restomods have taken over the motoring world, whether it’s Singer’s jewel-like recreations of classic Porsches, or Tuthill’s modernised versions of… classic Porsches, or Kamm Engineering’s upgraded versions of… hang on, let me check my notes… er, classic Porsches.
If you fancy a re-created version of a classic motor that’s not a Porsche, thankfully there are some options, and an eye-catching entry is the series of original Range Rovers modified, restored and generally titivated by Kingsley Re-Engineered, based in the Oxfordshire countryside.
Applies to pre-1994 models
The original Range Rover, in production from 1970 to 1994, is one of the ultimate 4x4s, with its subtle styling far removed from the over-blinged bloat of modern models.
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Kingsley has been re-making classic Range Rovers for some time now — upgrading engines, replacing electronics, re-trimming cabins and so on — even offering updated classics that can be driven, scot-free, on Ulez-designated streets thanks to their classic origins.
The company has so far created more than 500 bespoke upgraded Range Rovers, making everything from concours-winning classic restorations to original standards, to a specially commissioned off-road rally champion-winning variant.
Now, Kingsley is taking things a step further and has released the KSR Range Rover, taking over from the previous KC and KR Kingsley-built models. From the outside, it looks just like any other pre-1994 Range Rover, which is kind of the point; it’s elegant, restrained and surprisingly compact by the standards of massive modern SUVs.
Big changes under the skin
Inside and under the body, though, this is quite a different beast. The KSR process starts with the engine, a 4.6-litre version of the venerable Rover-Buick V8 engine, as used from the 1960s right the way through to the 1990s.
Kingsley strips this classic engine back to the metallic bones, rebuilds it, and boosts it all the way up to 270bhp, and 310lb ft of torque. That compares to 222bhp for the original engine when it was first developed in 4.6-litre form way back in 1994.
That means this sedate looking Rangie can hit 60mph in just 9.8 seconds, and head on to a top speed of 120mph if you can find somewhere that’s legal.
Want more power? Well, Kingsley can oblige by slotting in a more modern, more powerful Chevrolet LS3/LT1 engine instead, which comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox instead of the Rover engine’s four-speed unit.
You can also choose from classic 1970s-style two-door bodyshells, or the later, more practical four-door version, with Kingsley saying it uses only original donor vehicles from pre-1993
That’s just the beginning. The KSR Range Rover also gets special “TracTive” electronically adjustable suspension, plus bigger, more powerful brakes.
Crucially for owners who might remember the pathetic ventilation system of the original car, there’s a whole new air conditioning setup, with a wider dashboard vent so that it will actually clear a fogged-up windscreen.
Massive upgrade for the cabin
While the interior of the KSR Range Rover appears quite stock at first glance, looking closer reveals a world of difference. Gone are the cheap, crackly plastics of old Range Rovers, and in comes a comprehensively redesigned cabin, trimmed with gorgeous leather and tweed cloth.
The centre stack of the dashboard has been redesigned, and now features a much-improved heating and air conditioning layout to go with that upgraded aircon underneath. There’s also a touchscreen, complete with Apple CarPlay, which actually integrates rather nicely into the cabin. Perhaps the original design was more forward-looking than we thought.
The main instrument panel has also been redesigned, and now features classy-looking analogue dials supplemented by a neat digital screen in the centre. There are even USB sockets dotted around the cabin, which you can maybe think of as the modern equivalent of the original Land Rover’s power-take-off linkage.
Kingsley has even taken the original switches and buttons and re-made them (to make them feel of higher quality) and re-located some of them (so that they actually make ergonomic sense).
John Sawbridge, Managing Director of Kingsley Re-Engineered said: “The KSR represents a monumental leap forward, harnessing the unparalleled expertise of our extraordinarily talented 21-strong team and collaborating with the industry’s top-tier supply partners, all while answering our customers’ wishes and requests.
“Stepping inside the KSR reveals an extraordinary experience, distinctly unlike any vehicle we’ve ever created. And, when you drive it – you realise it’s a step above any Range Rover Classic – becoming the most superior Kingsley ever built.
“We firmly believe this to be the best and most thoughtfully re-engineered Range Rover Classic in the world. This is a true statement of intent from us for future builds, and it shows our dedication to creating vehicles that honour the past while embracing the future, ensuring each new model is even better than the last.”
How much for all of this classic re-invention? £220,000 is the starting price, and that’s before you add on VAT and any nice little extras, or the Chevy engine upgrade.
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