The Townley Desert Ranger
It is thought as few as 20 of these were built, each to special order.
Most of these were exported straight to the arab states, and were usually sold in pairs: 1 4x4 and 1 6x6.
One of these was offered to me from a person in Dubai for £7000 in 2006, with just 19,000 kms on the clock.
All these vehicles were kitted out with Overfinch suspension and engine upgrades.
The one I was offered was painted in a burgundy colour, with cream/beige limo style interior.
Stupidly, I didn't buy it.
David Howell Wrote:
I thought I might offer a little insight into the 'The Townley Desert Ranger' as my dad worked for the firm that built it and other similar 'stretched' Range Rovers and Land Rovers.
I believe I may have been in the very Range Rover you have on your site circa 1984-1985 when a few where built for rich Arabs. My dad was the accountant of the firm Townley Cross Country Vehicles (from which the Desert Ranger is named) which was owned and run by the Zanelli family (the brothers Johnny, Tony and Peter) and who where quite a well known company at the time. The were based in Townley Road Bexleyheath, Bexley Kent (on the outskirts of south-east London).
The reason I believe that I may have been in the very Range Rover you have pictured on your site is that my dad took me to see it one time as a treat and that almost all models where white or a flat cream colour but not metallic like the one I sat in. It was kitted out with a VHS video system, sirens, hidden emergency lights, bullet proof panelling and windows, a full air-conditioning system etc. to the specifications of the person who ordered it.
The firm produced many specialist Range Rovers as well as Land Rovers but mostly sold standard models as a distributor in the UK. Some of the models they produced where airport fire vehicles, Police emergency response vehicles and lots of other forms of stretch models where two chassis and vehicle bases where 'cut & shut' together to produce extended wheel-bases. I remember seeing video tapes of some open-backed Land Rovers mounted with 50-calibre machine guns and anti-aircraft guns being tested in the desert so I understand they must have produced some reinforced chassis models for the UAE military (weapons fitted overseas of course!).
They later moved to a purpose built showroom and vehicle construction centre in New Eltham (again south-east London) but where sadly hit by problems with Range Rover stopping distribution of their vehicles by distributors, the reasons for which I can't remember but I think had something to do with Range Rover themselves hitting hard times, which resulted in financial problems to the then 'Cross Country Vehicles' leading to their going out of business.
If you can help us out with more information regarding the company or the vehicles they made, please do so. You can contact us at admin@lr-mad.co.uk.
