The Latest Range Rover Restomod Somehow Looks Vintage And Modern At The Same Time

The latest comes from Estonia, where Velvet Motorworks wants to turn your third-generation Land Rover Range Rover into a 1970s-inspired restomod – without sacrificing one ounce of modern comfort or capability.

The SUV Of A Gentleman Farmer's Dreams
The original Range Rover arrived on the scene in 1970, giving well-to-do rural dwellers a more luxurious utility vehicle than the Land Rover Series off-roaders that dated back to the 1940s. Over time, the Rangie moved further and further upmarket, and today's model is just about as luxurious and comfortable as anything wearing a Rolls-Royce or a Maybach badge. For many modern auto enthusiasts, however, the sweet spot of the lineup is the third-generation Range Rover, codenamed L322, which was introduced for the 2002 model year before being replaced a decade later.

And for those who love the L322's relative reliability and posh comfort, but crave something with a little bit more panache, they can always take the Velvet Motorworks route. The company plans to introduce a restored version of the third-gen Rover by the end of next year, and until then, it's teasing us with a handful of 3D renderings that show the 2000s-era youngtimer in all its retro-inspired glory.

Blending New Performance With Old Style
Each L322 built by Velvet Motorworks will feature a supercharged V8, meaning great performance and a throaty engine roar on full-throttle. The company didn't specify if it would use the original Range Rover's 4.2-liter or 5.0-liter S/C engines, which made a respective 395 and 503 horsepower when new, or if it would fit the restomods with crate motors from another manufacturer. But regardless, the Velvet Motorworks L322 should be plenty quick. The company will also give each vehicle a slight lift and fit it with larger tires, which will improve off-road ability and also give it a stance more akin to the classic RR.

Speaking of, the first-generation Range Rover will donate some design cues to the L322, including a vertical-vane grille that looks straight out of 1970 and two round headlights that replace the newer model's multi-element units. The higher-cut front and rear bumpers are also intended to recall the older SUV, although in practice they make the custom Range Rover look a bit like a Bowler supertruck instead of a classic off-roader. Nevertheless, they should provide great clearance angles for off-road adventures.

Velvet Motorworks hasn't released renderings of the L322 restomod's interior yet, but the company did say it would blend old and new styling elements in a cabin that would be trimmed in premium materials and leathers. Apple CarPlay and modern safety conveniences will also be standard.

One-Off Designs Built To Order
The coachbuilder is targeting its first customer delivery by the end of 2026, and each Velvet Motorworks Range Rover will be bespoke-built for each individual buyer. Although pricing isn't publicly available, the stock L322 Range Rover Supercharged trades hands for anywhere between $25,000 and $40,000 in good or excellent condition. Add in the typical "restomod" tax and it seems likely that the Velvet Motorworks end product will crest six figures rather easily.

While that cash could get someone into a brand-new Range Rover, we doubt the ideal L322 buyer would be interested in that route. After all, where's the vintage flair in a new one?