The 1970s SUV, Reinvented in Italy
The Range Rover Classic was once the poster child for rugged sophistication – a no-nonsense SUV with boxy lines and an honest character. It was designed for the countryside but looked just as confident outside a city townhouse. Decades later, finding a clean original (that still runs, that is) is quite tricky.
Enter Vinile, a young Italian company from Maranello – yes, the same town where Ferraris are born, though this is no Ferrari. The brand has taken the idea of restoration and turned it on its head, creating what it calls a “Remastered” Range Rover Classic. Only 15 units will ever be built, and getting one will cost more than some new supercars.
Vinile
Classic Lines, Contemporary Craft
Vinile’s reimagined Range Rover keeps the upright stance and familiar proportions that defined the 1970 original but smooths out every detail. The first car wears a metallic green finish with a gloss-black roof, slimmer bumpers, and hand-hammered panels that erase the past’s uneven seams. LED headlights mimic the original round shape, while a three-dimensional grille and white poplar wood insert at the rear add a touch of Italian artistry.
Inside, the transformation is even more striking. The cabin abandons vintage austerity for contemporary luxury, swathed in 45 square meters of Baxter leather in multiple earthy tones. White poplar wood, carved from single blocks, covers the dashboard and door panels. A 10.1-inch touchscreen handles infotainment, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an elaborate sound system featuring three amplifiers, 10 Focal speakers, and 2 subwoofers. Details like aviation-inspired switches and puddle lights projecting the car’s outline show that this is as much a design exercise as an engineering project.
Vinile
V8 Power, Modernized by Hand
Under the hood sits a rebuilt 3.5-liter Rover V8 producing about 205 horsepower – an upgrade over the original’s output. The suspension has been tuned for a more balanced stance, and while it still rides on 16-inch wheels, the wider tires give it a more confident footprint.
Buyers can choose between three- and five-door layouts, with long-wheelbase models to follow. Every unit will be built to order in Vinile’s Maranello workshops, taking months of craftsmanship to complete.
The price starts at €310,000 (about $361,000), confirming that exclusivity, much like good vinyl, comes at a premium.
Vinile
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