There was always scope for the production of a vehicle that combined the no-nonsense Land Rover's off-road prowess with a greater degree of on-road chic and comfort.

Though various plans were mooted in the 1950s, it was the emergence of the American 'all-purpose' vehicles a decade later that finally convinced Rover to create such a model.

Spen King famously oversaw the '100-inch Station Wagon' project that was finally revealed as the Range Rover in 1970.

The David Bache-penned newcomer was powered by the ubiquitous Rover V8 which was connected to a permanent four-wheel drive system for optimum traction.

In its original guise, the Range Rover proved so popular that it was produced with only minor updates until 1996, two years after the second-generation P38 was launched.

Its enduring success was attributable to its capability as well as its sharp looks, which are very much in evidence in the example we are offering.

First registered in August, 1991, and sold through Farnell Land R...