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| First production Range Rover to be auctioned | First production Range Rover to be auctioned |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| One of the first Range Rovers ever built is expected to be sold for about £140,000 at auction later. | |
| The model, chassis number one, was made at the Rover factory in Solihull in 1969 and still has its original engine. | The model, chassis number one, was made at the Rover factory in Solihull in 1969 and still has its original engine. |
| The car was considered lost for a number of years after its original green paintwork was resprayed gold and the number plate was changed. | The car was considered lost for a number of years after its original green paintwork was resprayed gold and the number plate was changed. |
| Since 1991, it has been on display in the showroom of the Land Rover Centre in Huddersfield. | Since 1991, it has been on display in the showroom of the Land Rover Centre in Huddersfield. |
| Sales manager at the centre, Mark Griffiths, said the car had only been out on a number of occasions for photo shoots and video promotion work. | Sales manager at the centre, Mark Griffiths, said the car had only been out on a number of occasions for photo shoots and video promotion work. |
| He said: "I'm one of the few people who've driven it in the last 23 years, it's probably done less than 100 miles. | He said: "I'm one of the few people who've driven it in the last 23 years, it's probably done less than 100 miles. |
| "It's a little bit agricultural compared to to the modern day models but it was so advanced for its day and it's still really drivable." | "It's a little bit agricultural compared to to the modern day models but it was so advanced for its day and it's still really drivable." |
| The true identity of the car was discovered when it was sold to the centre in 1991. | The true identity of the car was discovered when it was sold to the centre in 1991. |
| It was fully restored and repainted and issued with its original registration number, YVB 151H, by the DVLA in 1997, Mr Griffiths said. | It was fully restored and repainted and issued with its original registration number, YVB 151H, by the DVLA in 1997, Mr Griffiths said. |
| He said: "It's been a great talking point for us; people who are doing restorations on their own cars have come in to take a look and take photos. | He said: "It's been a great talking point for us; people who are doing restorations on their own cars have come in to take a look and take photos. |
| "I've sold thousands of cars in the years I've been here but this time I'll be very sad to see it go." | "I've sold thousands of cars in the years I've been here but this time I'll be very sad to see it go." |
| Warwickshire-based auctioneers, Silverstone Auctions, said the car still had all its original components including its chassis, engine, gearbox and axles. | Warwickshire-based auctioneers, Silverstone Auctions, said the car still had all its original components including its chassis, engine, gearbox and axles. |
| Director Nick Whale said he expected a "significant amount of interest" when it is auctioned at Salon Privé in London later. | Director Nick Whale said he expected a "significant amount of interest" when it is auctioned at Salon Privé in London later. |