Recently purchased Congleton Service "Restoration"

1995 Land Rover Range Rover Description

I recently bought this 1995 LWB Range Rover Classic "restoration" from CONGLETON SERVICE. After having the vehicle shipped to Austin, I have only driven the vehicle between home and the mechanic’s shop for evaluation, testing and repairs.As outlined in the notes below at the end of the description, the vehicle did not meet my expectations, and am offering it for resale.I am including the original CONGLETON SERVICE advertised texts in which he give his description of the vehicle and details his work, for reference.

In full disclosure, I am also including my own observations of the vehicle condition and work at the end of the ad.In addition to providing 20-foot view photos of the car, I am providing more detailed photos of problem areas or conditions which I described in my notes.My hope is that the next buyer will enjoy the vehicle, and not have any glaring surprises or disappointments.

CONGLETON SERVICE:“Thank you for considering this Range Rover Classic. My facility in Milton, Vermont repairs, restores and fabricates Land Rover vehicles.”

“I bought this car for restoration out of California to avoid the corrosion issues that have really wreaked havoc on models residing on the east coast. I have only been sourcing low ambient humidity cars– this is a good example of such. The previous owner and his son had meticulously maintained this vehicle and have provided me with extensive paperwork that I will pass on to you. I bought the vehicle about six months ago and had it shipped back to Vermont for restoration. I knew as soon as the transporter showed up, that I had made a good purchase– no corrosion on the floors (outside or inside), straight bodywork, and a well-kept interior.”

“The first move after the initial road test and inspection, was the transmission replacement that she desperately needed. The transmission had been slipping pretty badly, according to the previous owner, so I installed one of our own rebuilt units. The transmissions my company offers are all dyne tested, genuine Land Rover unites, with genuine internals and are complete with brand new kickdown cables. During the transmission service we resealed the Y-pipe and installed a NRP rear exhaust. While the transmission was out, I also changed the rear main seal. We also put AMSOIL in the Borg Warner transfer box, just to keep it happy.”

“After the transmission service, I went through the engine service history to see what had been done, aside from the heads (which looked to be very new and showed in the history to have been recently replaced). I’m led to believe that the owner absorbed the cost of the head gasket service, but lost interest when the transmission blew shortly thereafter.”

“The engine was then completely dismantled and properly serviced. I cleaned the block, changed the oil cooler lines, and cleaned all the mating surfaces of the block. The service was completed with a new front cover and sump gasket. I then allowed them 24 hours to cure– a practice that has proven itself to help protect against future leaks. I installed new plugs and genuine wires, reset the timing a bit more advanced and put new coolant, oil and automatic transmission fluid in her.”

“All lights come out, front skirt and bumper, rear skirt and bumper, side sills, light clusters, rear lift gate, etc. To paint any vehicle properly, it needs to be fully stripped. The two-stage Epsom Green paint was done professionally by our satellite shop. After paintwork, we allow it to harden for a few days before bringing the vehicle back to our main facility. We are very proud of this paint job. The photographs are very impressive, but we still believe they don’t do enough justice. The vehicle is then waxoyled in all cavities for light housings, rear louvres, etc. Satisfied the vehicle will be protected for years to come.”

“For the interior, no detail was spared. A new headliner, nicer (used) rear seats, and front seats reupholstered in new leather ($2800) were installed. The doors were each individually restored from the door cards to the linkages within. All moving parts have been lubricated. At this time I also stripped the interior carpeting out and sent it away to be professionally shampooed. I also installed a new transition strip from the rear loadspace to the lower tailgate. These are usually torn on most 1995 Classics. It was great to see no corrosion on the floors, showing that the truck really had led a moisture free life. After the floors were painted I installed a close cell membrane on the floors under the carpet (the factory membrane is open cell and traps water, encouraging corrosion). Once the floors were set, I rebuilt the interior, fixing and replacing any defects in the trim with parts from my donor cars. Generally, it takes four Rovers to make one Rover ready for a sale of this type.”

“In addition, we’ve installed new front flaps, hella lights, painted the grille, installed a coolant overflow tank, HID ballasted xenon lights, new fuel pump, new alarm ECU, performance engine ECU (of my own design), replaced the steering wheel, installed new air filters, new coolant hoses, new water pump, new painted wheels with new Michelin tires for a superior ride, and a Roverville unit for the radio. I have also replaced the fuel overflow line to the tank as they have been cracking lately on all the rigs we’ve been seeing lately. To get squared away on the underbody, I replaced the sway bar bushings and links, installed a Terrafirma steering damper, and four new Bilstein shocks. Not pictured is a functional cigarette lighter.”

“After the restoration, the car was put through a two week trial period, in which I used it as a daily driver to get to and from work. Of course, I only drover her on dry days, garaging the car at night. During this trial period I began to punch the little things out in order to ensure a perfect driving experience. The car is nothing like it was when we picked her up six months ago. We now have a beautiful vehicle with a strong engine and a smooth shifting transmission.”

“The restoration turned out really well and, given the fact that I’m already paying to store three of my own ’95 Classics, I thought it might make a good Christmas surprise for someone! We, of course, are happy to answer any questions, and can provide lots of additional photographs by request. My facility is Land Rovers only, and we have been professionally restoring and rehabilitating Rovers for the past decade. For the first years of my career, I ran the shop at Rovers North USA. To say I’m familiar with the Range Rover Classic platform is an understatement!”

A later ad included:

“After refurbishing this Rover from front to back, we put the vehicle in storage for a month. Eventually we came to an agreement with a customer, who was interested in buying the vehicle with some additional work. We outfitted the car with new seat heaters in all four seats, as well as installed our own Congleton Service ICEBOX radiator and remote oil cooler (a system designed to keep Land Rover engines 35-40% cooler than the problematic stock radiators, allowing owners to operate the air conditioning without fear of overheating), as well as new wood trim, and a set of Land Rover TWR wheels (in place of black five-spoke wheels) upon request. “

original ad link from which I purchased the vehicle:http://www.ebay.com/itm/281891159908?ul_noapp=true

MY OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE VEHICLE*:

*MECHANICAL ISSUES:

*CHECK ENGINE LIGHT:When the vehicle was delivered, the check engine light was on.As instructed, the mechanic reset the light, which came back on shortly afterwards.This was due to multiple causes.First, the O2 sensor had to be replaced.Secondly, the driver’s side catalytic converter in the exhaust system was deteriorated and the honeycomb portion turned sideways, blocking normal flow through the system.This has not yet been repaired, and would still need to be fixed. The Check Engine light is still on.

*ENGINE:The engine seemed to have less power than my other one, so I had the mechanics check it out by performing a leak test.It came back adequate, with the worst cyclinder #4 at 25% leakage. (see pic) There is a vacuum leak at throttle body/worn. (see pic)Slow oil leak (see pic).Also slow power steering leak (see pic)

* SUNROOF DOESN’T FUNCTION:The sunroof opened 4 inches when we first got in the vehicle and stuck in this position.The mechanics say that it needs a new cassette or track for it to make it functional.

*PASSENGER SIDE REAR MIRROR:The passenger side rear mirror controls do not move the mirror.Uncertain if this is the motor or the controller.

*EXHAUST SYSTEM:The new NRP exhaust system installed has a sound that was not expected in a Range Rover Classic.It has a louder rumbling (hotrod) sound, akin to a muscle car, which perhaps someone may find appealing.

*IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS:The ignition switch is worn, and is tricky to get it to turn with all keys.There is a tiny spot that will work if the key is partially backed out, but tricky to find with ease each time. Sometimes it takes several minutes to hit the right spot to get it to turn.

*FRONT SEAT HEATER BUTTONS REVERSED: We had Congleton install new seat heater components in the front seats (and additionally put in the back seat).The front seat buttons are reversed.(i.e., If you want to heat the driver’s seat, press the passenger seat, and vice versus.)

*SPRINGS:The springs are higher than standard, and the tires appear perhaps taller (vehicle sits about 3 inches taller than my other classic).If you have ever driven a lifted vehicle, you would understand the difference.The ride and handling are different, but perhaps could be enjoyed if primarily driven as on off road vehicle.

*AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH:The air conditioning switch will occasionally shut off spontaneously.Faulty switch connection?

*BRAKES:The brake fluid arrived contaminated.I had the fluid changed.The pads passed inspection.

*APPEARANCE AND FUNCTION:

*INCOMPLETE PAINTING:The exterior of the car was painted a dark green (Elpsom Green), while the door wells were not painted (originally a brighter green), giving a two tone or striped appearance.Think striped dark watermelon (see pic)

*ORANGE PEEL PAINT:While the majority of the car was wet sanded after painting, there is still an ‘orange peel’ appearance on the hood behind the washer jets, and on lower side body areas.

*WINDOW MOLDINGS:The window moldings are jagged and worn (see pics)

*INTERIOR DOOR PANELS:The door panelshave missing or broken pockets and chips/cracks (see pics),

*REARVIEW MIRROR:partially fogged and delaminating.

*INSTRUMENT PANEL:small crack in panel

*WHEELS:All the wheels have scrapes and gouges/ surface damage (see pics)

*SEAT TRIMS/ DOOR GRIPS:Some of the door grips are ripped and torn.Cracked passenger seat back.(see pics)

*D PILLAR:The D-pillar is torn on the passenger rear.(see pic)

*CARPET:The front passenger carpet has a tear.(see pic)

*WOOD:After paying CONGLETON SERVICE additionally for wood restoration, its arrival appearance did not meet my expectations.(see pics)

·a vertical cut/seam in the middle of the wood veneers

·lacking factory beveled edges on wood

·crumbled appearing gear ship knob wood

·wood under AC control doesn’t match other wood (red color)

·bubbled surface of wood

*STEERING WHEEL:The surface of the steering wheel is worn and deteriorated appearing.(see pic)

*SPARE TIRE COVER:ripped seams (see pic)

*DOOR THRESHOLDS/RUBBER:The door thresholds and rubber are marred/torn (see pic)

*VISORS:saggy in appearance

Good luck shopping!While I cannot describe every single detail of the vehicle, I hope that this will give you a reasonably accurate description of the vehicle.Please email me if you have any additional questions.I believe there is a good home out there waiting for this CONGLETON SERVICE "restoration". Thank you!