Spen King, end of an Era

[Mr-Tomcat]

The designer of the original Range Rover, has crossed over after an accident.

Read more: http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.u...ing.6396072.jp

Andrew.

[G-CPTN]

I have been to a Classic Car show today with many fine examples of Spen's work.

I wish I had known and maybe I could have shared the information with the owners of these vehicles (unfortunately no photographs here).

Well done that man!

I did snap a couple of commercials which might appear later.

[Mr-Tomcat]

I drive as my daily an example of Mr Kings wonderfull idea. Heavy on petrol mind.

Andy.

[G-CPTN]

I believe that the original concept of the Range Rover was to be a Land Rover that could be used by senior officers to drive their ladies to functions.
Nobody would credit the original Land Rover (a vehicle that farmers could use to travel to market as well as performing jobs around the farmyard) as having sufficient kudos to meet that brief - it was intended merely as a step forward from the Ferguson tractor. That they have since come to adopt that ethos among the hunting / shooting /fishing and horse-riding clientèle is a tribute to the 'County' adaptation to achieve this.
Early Range Rovers had fairly basic, utilitarian interiors with vinyl seats and plastic dashboards that were designed to be washed down with a hose. It was only later that plush interiors were designed and the Range Rover became a luxury vehicle.