A barely used nineties Range Rover that had been locked away in a garage for 30 years has sold at auction for more than the price of a brand new one.
The 1994 car was unearthed from a rural home in Essex by Anglia Car Auctions in an almost untouched condition, though with its bodywork coated in plenty of dust.
It was found with just 754 miles on the clock from new, having been taken off the road by its one and only registered keeper in 1996.
Following the owner's recent passing, the Range Rover was uprooted from its three-decade slumber. Though with great difficulty.
A team of classic car enthusiasts engaged in a complex extraction process of winching the unmoved first-generation Range Rover up the property's steep and incredible restricted driveway before it could be transported to a secure unit ahead of its auction-room appearance.
Given the car's originality - including its 30-year-old tyres - the auction house issued a pre-sale guide price of £30,000 to £50,000.
But after a frenzy of bids at the weekend, the Beluga Black Range Rover eventually sold for a staggering £119,800 including auction premium - that's more than the cost of a brand new one.
This barely used nineties Range Rover had been locked away in a garage for 30 years. Having been extracted from an Essex property, it sold at auction for almost £120,000 - some £15,000 more than a brand new one
The vehicle is a rare example of the range-topping 'soft-dash' Vogue LSE model.
This is one of the most collectable versions of the Mk1 Range Rover 'Classic', and being a 1994 model is one of the latest examples produced.
Having wiped away the layer of dust on the windscreen, a severely faded tax disc showed it was last used on the road in 1996.
A quick check of the odometer behind the steering wheel confirmed its incredible 756 miles from new.
The group of classic car enthusiasts were clearly shocked at the preserved condition of the car, which they described as being a 'genuine timewarp'.
Even the tailgate - which is infamously susceptible to rust - showed no signs of dilapidation having been contained in storage for three decades. The boot even had a Tesco plastic back from the 1990s locked inside.
The man who had the 4x4 delivered new reportedly died shortly after, we believe some time in the 1990s. However, his widow had kept it locked in the garage ever since until her passing last year
The vehicle is a rare example of the range-topping 'soft-dash' Vogue LSE model. This is one of the most collectable versions of the Mk1 Range Rover, and being a 1994 model is one of the latest examples likely produced before the arrival of the second-generation vehicle
Having wiped away the layer of dust on the windscreen, a severely faded tax disc showed it was last used on the road in 1996
ACA said it had to pump the tyres up before pushing it out of the garage, though despite standing for 30 years the brakes were not stuck on.
They then used a winch to haul it up a steep slope and through the property's extremely tight driveway entrance.
History files revealed the car was bought in 1994 from Broadfields at a cost of £38,400.
With historic inflation, that's the equivalent of £106,000 in today's money, proving just how premium this Rangie was when new.
The man who hadthe 4x4 delivered new reportedly died shortly after, we believe some time in the 1990s. However, his widow had kept it locked in the garage ever since until her passing last year.
The motor's 4.2-litre V8 engine still turned over after decades without starting and the 'Ash Grey' interior showed almost no sign of wear and tear. Even the Land Rover branded paper mat protectors were still in place
A quick check of the odometer behind the steering wheel confirmed its incredible 756 miles from new
History files revealed the car was bought in 1994 from Broadfields at a cost of £38,400. With historic inflation, that's the equivalent of £106,000 in today's money, proving just how premium this Rangie was when new
The cherished private number plate 'NEB 58' - though in an illegal oval style for the rear plate - was also included in the sale with the car.
Even when opening the door of the car after all those years, the classic car experts claimed it still 'smells like a new Range Rover'.
The motor's 4.2-litre V8 engine still turned over after decades without starting and the 'Ash Grey' interior showed almost no sign of wear and tear. Even the Land Rover branded paper mat protectors were still in place.
Sitting on the tyres and fitted with ever component it had when it came off the assembly line, even the oil filter in situ is original.
Despite the paintwork clearly showing signs of age and the electronic controlled air suspension - a feature only added to high-end models like this LSE long wheelbase car built towards the end of production - needing some attention, closer inspection of the Range Rover revealed the chassis, fuel tank and exhaust remained in pristine condition.
ACA said there is 'no more genuine and original example out there'.
The car is in need of some TLC. The electronic controlled air suspension - a feature only added to high-end models like this LSE long wheelbase car built towards the end of production - needs some attention
The sale price of £119,880 - a new world record for a Mk1 Range Rover LSE - was a staggering four times the estimated guide of £30,000 to £50,000
To put the 1994 Range Rover's auction price into perspective, a new state-of-the-art example costs from £106,000 today. However, a comparable LWB example is pricier, at £131k
It was sold to the highest bidder complete with its V5 registration document, purchase invoice, a Range Rover book pack and the service book containing one stamp at 200 miles on 11 October 1994.
The sale price of £119,880 - a new world record for a Mk1 Range Rover LSE - was a staggering four times the estimated guide of £30,000 to £50,000.
It's also more than the entry price of the 2026 Range Rover, which starts from £105,675. That said, a long-wheel-base example of the current luxury SUV - which would be most comparable to the 1994 car - is priced from £131,055.
The auction house said the car was 'an incredible find indeed'.
ACA added: 'Inspection of the Range Rover reveals it to truly be in time warp condition, commensurate with a mileage of just 756 miles and would make a worthy addition to any major collection.'
However, it caveated: 'After such a long period off road, recommissioning will be required before use.
'We have made no attempt to start the Range Rover although we can confirm that the engine turns over.'
Also in the same garage was an MG B roadster that was parked behind the Range Rover and therefore understood have been in storage for 30 years, too.
The 'completely rust-free, arrow-straight, early pull-handle' example sold at the same auction for £18,792, which was almost four times its guide price of £5,000 to £7,000.