General Description
Charles Spencer ‘Spen’ King’s career spanned 40 years with Rover and later works with British Leyland. A pioneering innovator, King is best known for his efforts from 1966 onwards in the development of the ‘100in station wagon’, a project that would turn into the Range Rover.
King, working alongside Gordon Bashford, to create a versatile and practical farmers’ tool for the day to day, that could be spruced up for comfortable road driving at the weekend. The boot had to be large enough for a hay bale or the occasional sheep and the interior, whilst more upmarket than preceding Land Rovers, would still be utilitarian in comparison to a current day Range Rover.
Available only as a three-door between 1970 and 1981, the early prototypes were hidden in plain sight. The earliest prototypes were badged ‘Velar’ instead of Range Rover, a word that directly translated from Latin as ‘I hide’. Conveniently Velar was available from the letters within Land Rover!
From 1984, the sale of the three-door would cease in the UK, although it would be another 10 years before production ended.
About this specific vehicle
This example remained in the care of its original husband and wife owner for the vast majority of its life. Supplied new to Mr & Mrs Coare on 18th February 1991, this CSK was originally optioned with the costly automatic gearbox. Such was its expense that fewer than 25% of production would receive this option.
Residing in Hemel Hempstead, the CSK would see service work by Chipperfield Land Rover of Kings Langley and other local specialists. Purchased by the current owner in September 2020, this CSK was sent directly to highly regarded specialists Kingsley Range Rover.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, this CSK was the subject of a professional full body-off restoration in 2021 with Kingsley and it remains in excellent order with zero structural corrosion to date. At the same time as the bodyshell was restored, repairs were made to the inner bodyshell which was then e-coated and all joints and the underside were treated to 3M anti-corrosion rubberised stone chip guard.
The engine was replaced with a Kingsley 4.6i High- Torque, High-Efficiency engine. This new and updated engine affords the CSK a near 100hp gain in power to 270hp and torque gains of 75lb ft to 310lb ft. Modern flow matched injectors and actually help improve engine efficiency by 40%!
This example was further upgraded with Kingsley’s twin fan radiator, performance exhaust, Stage 1 brake upgrade and fast road suspension, making for much easier progress on the open road. Much of the interior was left as original, although the American Walnut was refinished at a cost of £2,500. Carried out over a 12 month period in 2021, the restoration totalled £115,000.
Post completion, the car was shipped to the owners home in New Zealand where it remained for two years before returning to the UK. Accompanied by its original bookpack, presentation book and history folio; today this CSK presents superbly, free from the rust and corrosion so prevalent on Range Rovers of this age, ready to use and enjoy on or off road.
Tyres
Front Right: Goodyear Wrangler - 235/70 R16 - week 39 of 2021 - 12mm tread
Front Left: Goodyear Wrangler - 235/70 R16 - week 39 of 2021 - 12mm tread
Rear Right: Goodyear Wrangler - 235/70 R16 - week 39 of 2021 - 12mm tread
Rear Left: Goodyear Wrangler - 235/70 R16 - week 39 of 2021 - 12mm tread
*Payment within 3 working days and collection within 7 calendar days.
**DK Engineering are selling this vehicle on behalf of the private owner on a consignment basis. The usual level of DK Engineering service can be expected, and viewings are welcome, however no warranty is given or implied and the sale shall be carried out via bill of sale from private owner to buyer.
