A new lease on life for tired Range Rovers

Kingsley Cars, the restoration company that is well-known for its works on classic Range Rovers has bestowed its expertise to give the old two- or four-door models a significant restoration. 

Based in the UK, Kingsley Cars has what it calls the KR program that offers a surfeit of upgrades to the engine, suspension and brakes while also enhancing the interior with a wide range of cosmetics and upgrades to the iconic Range Rover models.

The process of giving the classic Range Rovers a new lease on life begins with dismantling the body to its bare minimum and then it is refurbished before seam sealed as well as painted inside and outside in any colour. 

Body panels are wholly painted, waxed internally and fitted with fibre washers to slow down corrosion. If needed, Kingsley Cars will replace overly damaged body panels instead of refurbishing them. The door hinges are then strengthened while a new lower bib or dam spoiler with driving lights is also fitted. 

The front and rear bumpers are refurbished and painted in black. The restored Range Rover features Kingsley 7J tubeless Rostyle wheels shod with 235/70x16 Pirelli tyres as well as a Rostyle ‘space-saver spare wheel. 

The interior features fully reworked instrumentation including a zero mileage MPH/KM/H odometer. The seat cushions have been refurbished while the seats now come fitted with new covers in Nappa leather with Bentley Brooklands stitch detailing. Other stitch detailing can be availed by quotation. 

Furthermore, the dashboard, centre console, grab handles, A, B, and C post covers, seat-based covers as well as kick panels are covered in full Nappa leather. The same treatment is applied on the new upper door cards in carpet, new ¾ door cards and parcel tray and its supports. 

There is a new spare wheel cover in matching carpet bound and new underlay plus new wool carpets. The front and rear seat belt webbing is new and matches the interior. The handbrake and transfer lever knob gaiters are also new. 

The interior also features a JL Audio Class D seven-speaker audio system with a hidden subwoofer and Alpine DAB/USB head unit. Other tweaks include rebuilt heating system with a new heater matrix, new electric window regulators and remote central locking with an optional alarm. 

Underneath, the chassis is fully refurbished, refinished in black epoxy mastic and fully waxed internally. The axles and driveline are fully rebuilt while the six-pot/four-pot and vented brakes are upgraded. The brake master cylinder has also been upgraded while the brake lines and flexi lines all around are new. 

The steering box and mechanism have been restored. For better handling, Kingsley has fitted the classic Range Rovers with its Fast Road Handling pack that includes springs, dampers, turrets and anti-roll bars. 

A refurbished 4.6-litre engine fitted with Kinglsey High-Efficiency fuel injection is available as well as an optional GM LS3 unit both paired with an upgraded ZF 4HP22 automatic transmission. 

The restoration company has fitted the classics with a new uprated radiator, Kingsley stainless steel exhaust manifolds, Kingsley stainless steel exhaust system with twin exiting down facing pipes, new air conditioning compressor and new fuel tank and fuel sender.  

There is a new Bosch S407 - 630 amp-hour battery with a battery cut out switch and Castrol classic oils, filters and cooling hoses.

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Words by Ntsako Mthethwa