1989 Laforza SUV

1989 Laforza Laforza Description

Super rare Italian SUV, 1989 Laforza runs and drives fine, excellent engine/trans., great running Ford 5.0 fuel injected, AOD trans. 4 spd overdrive. No smoke, leaks or noises. Recent catalytic converter, coolant flush, radiator hoses, oil chang/filter and fuel filter. Laforza needs lots of TLC to be perfect namely front seat leather upholstery work, dash leather, and 2 front tires, rear tires good. Good body, bumpers, glass, sunroof, seatbacks, rear seats, carpet, has some nice orig. carpeted floormats stowed in rear hatch area. Needs LF CV joint; pulled front left driveshaft and placed in box in rear for rebuild/boots therefore operates in 2WD mode only. Speedo and odometer inop. Muffler noisy, rest of exh. good. Any quest. feel free to ask. Laforza WILL SELL to highest bidder at this auction, no reserve! $300.00 Paypal dep. req. at auction end, bal. upon pick up cash or certified check. Will coordinate with your shipper if necessary. Please see additional information below.
The LaForza was way ahead of its time. It was designed in the early 1980s and first produced as the Rayton Fissore Magnum in Europe for 1985. Think back to what 1985 SUV's looked like (Landcruiser, Cherokee, Wagoneer, Blazer, Bronco, etc.) and you'll understand how groundbreaking this Tom Tjaarda/Pininfarina design truly was. The beautiful Pininfarina bodies were manufactured alongside Ferrari Testarossas at the Pininfarina factory; there are some great videos on YouTube showing them interspersed on the assembly line as well as the great level of hand craftsmanship that went into each one.

The Magnum came with several engines available to Europe at the time, most notably an Alfa Romeo V6 and diesels. The vehicle was used by police, emergency teams, government agencies, and the military. In 1988, there was a push to sell the tough sport utilities here in the United States, and it was marketed as the LaForza; it's only close competition at the time was the Range Rover. Vehicles were shipped to San Diego without drivetrains installed, and there at the LaForza facility they received fuel-injected Ford 5.0-litre engines, 4-speed transmissions, and other Ford parts, such as the brake master cylinder. These engine/transmission assemblies were mated to a New Process (Jeep) NP-229 transfer case allowing flexibility in traction from 2- to 4-wheel drive. The rear differential, front suspension, and steering systems were sourced from Iveco, essentially the same as an Iveco Daily 35-10 4x4. The interiors are typical high-end luxurious Italian as would be found in Maserati, Ferrari, or Lamborghini. Real burl wood finishes cover the dashboard, consoles, and upper door panels, and the instrument cluster consists of white-on-black VDO "Cockpit" gauges. A sophisticated Blaupunkt stereo was installed with speakers mounted in each of the doorpanels. LaForzas have excellent ground clearance and approach/departure angles for off-roading, and enough power to tow 7,000 lbs. LaForzas were sold in the United States from 1989 through 1998.