From Farm To Fashion Accessory: Why Land Rover Created The Range Rover — BTS with DTS — Ep. 16

The Range Rover story is littered with accidents. First there was the Rover Company, which made mostly cars until postwar desperation drove them to try their hand at a utility vehicle which became the Land Rover and was soon outselling Rover cars 2 to 1. Then there was the engine, which a Rover executive happened upon sitting on the ground while visiting Mercury Marine on an unrelated matter. And then there was its entry to the US market: the Range Rover was designed specifically for it but Rover ended up leaving the US market twice before the Range Rover finally went on sale there fully 17 years after being introduced.

But regardless of how it came to be, the Range Rover broke new ground, combining off-road competence and on road comfort for the first time in a way that established the model for one of today's most popular vehicle genres. It was technically innovative, an icon of design, and most importantly, totally authentic.

In this video, Derek Tam-Scott explores the origin of both the Land Rover and the Range Rover, and traces its transformation from a less uncomfortable device for farmers and explorers into a luxury icon.

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Chapters:
Intro: 0:00 - 1:16
The Land Rover is Made: 1:17 - 4:03
Road Rover Project: 4:04 - 4:24
Early Rover History: 4:25 - 4:49
Rover V8 Origin Story: 4:50 - 6:14
The Range Rover Classic is Made: 6:15 - 8:00
Range Rover Early Accomplishments: 8:01 - 8:38
Darien Conquest: 8:39 - 9:33
Range Rover Classic Late 70s - 80s: 9:34 - 11:11
Range Rover Late 80s - 90s: 11:12 - 12:25
Derek's Impressions: 12:26 - 14:43
Conclusion: 14:44 - 16:11
Special Thanks: 16:12 - 16:46

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[titaniummechanism]

I recently saw a video with Harry Metcalfe from Harry's Garage together with Jeremy Clarkson, talking about their 3rd gen Range Rovers and how they seem to be the perfect car for them, unsurpassed by every other modern Range Rover. I found it especially impressive, that Clarkson, who has access to pretty much every vehicle out there, chose to stick with his "old" Range Rover for this long. Of course we aren't all farmers in the english countryside, but it's nontheless impressive that a car has remained unsurpassed for this long.

[afhyoutube]

I've had a few of these and still have a 93' Vogue in my collection. They are quintessentially British. Charming, elegant, and understated fun. However, something is always broke or in the process of breaking. It leaks everywhere and the rust forms overnight.

[InternetsDown]

Thank you for this video, it bought back a lot of great memories.

My dad was a Range Rover fanatic and had a number of them. I was driven home from the hospital one!

The ones I am old enough to remember were a 1974 model, and a 1985 Vogue. He later engine swapped the 85 with the later 4.6 from the then-new second generation Range Rover, lots of great memories of watching him do the swap in the garage.

I would love to own one; I feel the window is closing for good, honest, inexpensive examples.

Thanks again for the great video.

[andresrojas]

The Range Rover Classic is my favorite car!!! Have an 86, one of the best years in my opinion and I am amazed that issimi did the job and studied the model and brand really well!! Congratulations to everyone involved in the making of this video!!

[ackvig]

I expected to just peek in for a quick glance at this video. I did NOT expect to walk away ASTOUNDED by the quality of this production. Well done!

[TonySims]

I've owned a lot of cars in my life. The only one I really miss is my 1992 Range Rover.

[TheVolquard]

Your videos have a strong addictionfactor! Thank you for your effort. They are so interesting!

[kevinlloyd]

Yes. Yes. Very regal. Long live Lucas!

[kalel]

This little documentary is fantastic, very well executed

[jeffsloan]

I feel blessed to be living through Derek’s oligarch phase🙌🏻

[benpenagonzales]

We had 5 of these over the 80s and 90s. Thank you hyphen Scott. I listened to every word on baited breath.

[dirkdesouza]

Derek, excellent review, very well done and extremely well researched. You have truly done an amazing job and further stamps in the fact the you and Jason are fun, informative, engaging and exceptionally entertaining to watch. Thank you!!!

[jamesrebbechi]

The thing about Landrover's is you either have or you don't. Truly majestic beasts.

[Garcia]

I didn’t know about the Darién crossing. That’s spectacular even by today’s standards.

[harrycherns]

The main thing imo about the Range Rover, which makes it stand appart from the pack - is that is a status car. And certain people do own it.
Unlike the Land Cruiser or Lexus or other 'Premium SUVs'.. You don't 'just' buy a Range Rover. It's always a sense of magestic-ness about it. And it's the vehicle which royal family would and do use. So basically combining that with an off the road capabilities and you have a car which has it's wide strong appeal. You don't want a Land Cruiser, you just buy it cause it's a sensible purchase, But a Range Rover - you want that. Strong character with these cars. A rare breed. esp nowadays.
Got to say not so sure about the brand (as well as the Jag) after TATA deal. R322 was the last that 'did it' for me.
Great mini-doc. Very insightful, thanks for your dedication.

[mzungusi]

Bravo! I love how you characterise the acceleration as 'inexorable'. That big V8 woosh propels you forward like a great ship of state. I have rarely been as happy in a car as I have been in a classic Range Rover. Driving around Tanzania in the 90s with one was sublime. Yes, I was very good friends with my mechanic, but it always got me home.

[Lampredi]

So fitting that this comes out just when Hyphen has to go to Alberta to get the SD1

[andreitrif]

Loved it . I love Land Rover and everything it stands for. Thank you for this lovely history lesson .

[shingoose]

Beautiful video...problem is that I want a Range Rover Classic now.

[franciscocabrerabrito]

I'm a big Land Cruiser fan. But can't deny them old landies are just a thing of beauty. I don't care if new ones are a bomb on wheels that can explode anytime. These old landies are worth having and they have way more presence than an old land cruiser. Fully restored 40 and 60 series crazy prices make you think if they are really worth more or the same as a mint 3.5 two door classic range.