(first posted 5/21/2014) Wood & Pickett dates back to 1947, but found their true calling with the Range Rover, offering just about any kind of variation of the theme. Wider bodies, taller bodies, convertible bodies, different front ends, extended rear ends, “Brougham” conversions, six door conversions, pickup trucks, and of course the three-axle version known as the Cheltenham 6 Sheer Rover. Their 1983 brochure is still available on-line here, with the full range of variations and options, but I’ll show you a few after the jump.
This is the high-roof “Ascot”, if you have papal aspirations.
The Goodwood convertible.
The Epsom, for additional rear leg room.
The Windsor, for that off-road Brougham look.
The Sheerline 6 limousine. With a very 80s graphics package to enhance the look.
The Newbury Falcon Sheer Rover, with optional Chevrolet 5.7 litre engine, for the true (Middle Eastern) falcon enthusiast.
The full catalog and price list is here, if you want to step back in time thirty years and order one for your unique needs and taste.
How to take one of the finest automotive designs ever and trash it in seven easy steps.
Thumbs UP Don. Perfect response to the catalogue photographs.
PS Too much information Paul 🙂
Shame they aren’t still in business.
I’ve always thought good taste and tons of money don’t go together,this proves it
C’mon Gem, Katie Price has coin and she’s overflowing with taste.
I’ve got one of her books,I’m going to colour it in later!
At least the Goodwood looks better than a Murano CrossCabriolet!
The title & 1st picture is like one of those Bruce McCall stories in a vintage National Lampoon. I thought the Winsdor was a hearse at first glance.
Better title: Strange Rovers-get it? HA!
I assume that this was the same company that made the brown convertible Range Rover that appears in the pre-credits sequence in 1983’s Octopussy?
That was a Rapport Huntsman, from the people who truly understand the lengths and grilles of broughamification with their Elcelsior (although a closer look at the above Windsor indicates a similar snout treatment)
But of course, if you were the more discreet type, you could always disguise your steed as a Ford Granada; the Rapport Starlight.
Fantastic find. There was (is) another European Company, Carat Duchatelet, that made many LWB and raised roof Range Rovers, S-Class, Land Cruisers, etc, like this. Their website used to be a treasure trove of weird, one off photos, nowadays they focus primarily on bulletproofing.
LWB Suicide Door RR
That super high passenger seat in the last photo is intriguing…. Jeeves can chauffeur while I shoot at game.
If you notice the 6 wheeled one at the top has one too, I imagine that it was for hunting purposes, human hunting of course, the most dangerous game!
“I say Frobisher Gleeson old boy how about we shoot a few union oiks at Longbridge?”
“Steady Boy…..don’t startle them, take aim at the fat one next to the burning garbage can”
Imagine what these guys would do with a first gen Seville.
Does that 3rd axle drive like the Aussie army pickups? or is it just to carry fat people like a lazy axle on a truck.
You could order it driven or un-driven according to the link.
Driven with twin difflocks thanx if ya gunna have traction ya may as well have heaps.might need the Chevy option to power it too.
For the low, low extra cost of 3,435 GBP!
Don’t forget the additional accessories at the bottom – and the Tru-Coat!
There’s a Monty Python skit in that first pic.
It’s like Monty Python meets Top Gear.
Man, I still cannot for the life of me understand how British aristocrats ended up with a reputation for good taste…
In fairness, these carbuncles were not being built for home market consumption………..
I think I just threw up a little bit.
Interesting that marketing Ranges to people with more money than taste isn’t a new phenomenon brought about by the footballers wives set.
*shudders*
Most of this would have headed to the Middle east the 6wheel drive system ended up enlisting in the Aussie army in their Landrover pickups they came up with a 6×6 version.
I thought a photo of a shall we say more purposeful 6×6 might be appropriate here. Looking at the hardware on the back deck, it would work quite well for hunting too! (this is a long range desert patrol vehicle)
I must say, I am appalled by the rank, and crass commentary displayed wherein.
Wood & Picket are fine Craftsmen of the Old School, and have providing coach work for those of a limited means for two generations.
The six-wheeled Shooting Brake seen above, is ideal for the budget-minded* sportsman, who wishes to indulge his and his guest’s passion for an afternoon of grouse, on his country estate, without necessitating undo discomfort, or the muddying of one’s boots.
The scene above is hardly comical, as it would appear to portray two Gentleman consulting with the groundskeeper as the where the best game may be found. One could hardly be expected to go tramping about in the underbrush in search of elusive foul, now could one?
I suspect the uncouth mockery displayed by some (many) of the commentators derives from a Colonial’s inability to recognize the finer things in life. He mocks that which he cannot understand.
Let us hope this will be an end to it.
The following New York Times article may prove instructive for some:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/automobiles/26BRAKE.html?_r=2&
* A true Gentleman of the Peerage requires Rolls Royce to supply the mechanicals for his Shooting Brake, and Maybach-Manufaktur, the coach work, as seen in my own, displayed in the enclosed photograph.
Yes, quite.
Quite, quite. Indeed, quite. *sniff* Quite.
Danforth! Are you fraternising with the help again?
I could see Cliff Richard driving this version.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan, all is forgiven
For another take on a 3 axle Range Rover conversion, try these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TACR2_(Range_Rover) airfield fire tenders.
Some are still doing service even now.
These concoctions look like something the British upper classes associate with obnoxious, nouveau riche Americans.