Back in 1989, Land Rover->ke46 mounted an expedition to trek across the toughest lands the United States had to offer: the expansive Great Divide. The geological entity stretched from Colorado down to New Mexico and hosted numerous old mining towns established in the 1860s. Land Rover used the Great Divide Expedition to launch the then-new 1990 Range Rover. The SUVs->ke145 used for the expedition were completely stock, save for more aggressive tires, bumper-mounted winches, and roof racks. Over 12 days the expedition moved south through the Great Divide while conquering unpaved or non-road surfaces during more than 75 percent of the distance.

Fast forward to 2014 and Land Rover is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the original Great Divide Expedition with a second running. The expedition will use 2014 Range Rovers->ke469 to relive the experience. What’s more, Land Rover has teamed up with Tread Lightly!, the original sponsor of the first expedition, to recreate a 1990 Range Rover expedition vehicle from a restored Rover.

That restored replica is now up for auction on Ebay Motors. As of 8/5/2014, the bid is sitting at $30,001. The proceeds of the charity auction will benefit Tread Lightly!’s programs designed to protect and enhance outdoor recreation areas across the country. The auction went live starting August 4, 2014 and runs through 9 p.m. August 14, 2014.

We’ve got a full run-down of the one-off 1990 Range Rover Great Divide Expedition replica vehicle up for sale.

Click past the jump to read more about the Range Rover Great Divide Expedition Replica.

Exterior

The restored 1990 Range Rover looks just like those famed Range Rovers did 25 years ago. Up front, a steel bumper and grille guard replace the original fascia. It houses a Warn 8,000-pound winch capable of pulling the Range Rover out of sticky situations. Around the sides are more aggressive all-terrain tires than what was originally found under the SUV.

Out back is a steel bumper that matches the front unit. It provides extra protection from body damage as the expedition moved over treacherously rocky terrain. Wire guards help protect the taillights from branches. Up top is a roof rack used for hauling extra gear. Team members on the original expedition stored spare tires, extra fuel, and camping gear up top.

Of course, the most noticeable addition is the custom exterior paint, complete with mountains, trees, corporate sponsors, and the Great Divide Expedition logo.

Interior

The Range Rover’s interior is rather spartan by today’s standards, but in 1990, it was the most luxurious accommodations found in any SUV. The Range Rover boasted leather seats, color-keyed carpeting, an automatic transmission, air conditioning, and a manually operated transfer case.

The interior provided room for five occupants and a sizable amount of cargo. The Range Rover’s high roof and large windows allow for an extremely open cabin, perfect for viewing the picturesque scenery along the Colorado countryside.

The restoration team who completed the work on this particular Range Rover was comprised of factory-trained Land Rover technicians. They completely gutted in interior in order to repaint, reseal, and reinsulate the unibody. New carpet, headliner, and leather seats were installed to finish off the restorarion.

Drivetrain

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The Range Rover underwent a full body-off restoration that included rebuilding both axles to the original factory specifications. New brake pads, rotors, calipers, ABS accumulator and pump, and upgraded stainless-steel brake hoses were all added. New suspension components including springs, shocks, and steering gear, were fitted. A new four-core radiator, water pump, A/C compressor and all their respective hoses were replaced or rebuilt to factory specs.

All those parts are in addition to a remanufactured, 3.9-liter V-8 and four-speed, ZF transmission being installed. When new, the Range Rover’s V-8 made 178 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. Though it’s underpowered by today’s standards, the V-8 has enough guts to motivate the comparatively lightweight SUV up and down the steepest hills.

Prices

As of mid-afternoon on August 5, 2014, the current bit sits at $30,001.00. Each bit must be exceed the current bit by $100. With nine more days to go, the bidding is sure to heat up. With this level of restoration on such an iconic vehicle, let alone one that replicates the Range Rovers that traversed the Great Divide during the first-ever expedition there, there will be tons of bidding in the coming days.

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Conclusion

This vehicle represents a rich time in Land Rover’s short history here within the United States. Remember, Range Rovers weren’t officially imported into the States until March of 1987, just a few short years before the 1989 expedition took place.

This Range Rover’s complete restoration makes it a solid choice for collectors or even adventure-seekers looking to hit the trails. The remanufactured, 3.9-liter V-8 is sure to have plenty of trouble-free miles under its valve covers, while the restored body looks brand new. The extra off-road goodies and the bespoke paint job only add to the vehicle’s uniqueness.

What’s even better than owning this unique piece of history is the experience included with it. The lucky winning bidder gets to attend the 25th anniversary running of the Great Divide Expedition. They will have the choice of riding in the 2014 Range Rovers completing the expedition or actually driving their newly purchased 1990 version along the dusty paths.