Bob Marley’s 1980 Rangie Classic is up for auction

A 1980 Range Rover Classic believed to have been owned by the one and only Bob Marley goes under the hammer with Classic Car Auctions without reserve at the end of March. Note that phrase ‘without reserve’. We’re not talking about Mr Bean’s immaculately kept Integrale, here. This crusty old Rangie is in deperate need of some TLC.

The legendary musician’s ownership seemingly came to light when the original registration document was found to have ‘Robert Nesta Marley’ written on it. Originally Masai Red, the Rangie is a unique mixture of black, green and blue - said to be painted by some of Marley’s kids.

Looking suspiciously like an ex-stunt vehicle, this particular Range Rover isn't in the best shape. While it's only showing 62,000-odd miles on the clock, the engine isn’t even in the engine bay, instead nestled in bits in the back of the three-door thing. Perfect restoration fodder, then. Thought to be purchased around the time ‘Redemption Song’ was released, the folk and reggae star was touring his final studio album, Uprising, with his band in the same year as the Range Rover was launched.

Reportedly one of two Rangies owned by the singer, the Classic was shipped from Birmingham, UK to Germany, then to Jamaica and then regularly ferried between the Caribbean nation and Blighty, before Marley’s premature death at the age of 36.

The other was a 1976 Series 3 truck. It was found in 2015 and fully restored.

"We are delighted to be offering this ex-Bob Marley Range Rover at public auction," said Simon Langsdale of Classic Car Auctions. "This unique opportunity to purchase not only an early suffix example, but one with history linked to the legendary reggae star – I am sure it will attract huge interest.

"Fully restored examples have sold for as much as £130,000 in recent years, but with a celebrity link that can add up to 20 per cent in value so this is a great investment option. For a true Bob Marley fan who is also a petrolhead, owning this Range Rover will be something beyond price and is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Marley’s Rangie will be auctioned at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show on 26 March at the NEC, Birmingham - returning, quite romantically to the place of its birth.