Lunaz builds convertible electric Range Rover

15th November 2022

Bob Murray

We might remember the 1983 Bond movie Octopussy more for the enthusiastically driven Alfa Romeo GTV6, but there’s another car in the film that lingers in the memory, though for rather different reasons. It’s a convertible version of the classic Range Rover. A one-off? We thought so, but obviously not…

Someone’s just gone and built another one just like it. The roofless Rangie with twin sofas in the back – mirroring the car in Octopussy almost 40 years ago – is the work of Silverstone-based restomod specialists Lunaz.

You might remember Lunaz from earlier offerings, including classic Rolls-Royces and Astons, that they have converted to battery power, in keeping with the firm’s mission to repurpose classic cars for a fossil fuel-free future. Now here is their latest, a Range Rover of the early two-door variety that’s lost its head, as well as its V8.

Lunaz calls it the Range Rover Safari and the all-electric convertible has just been finished for a customer on Long Island in the US who intends to use it to get to his sailing boat. Yachtie influences abound in the conversion, from the seating for eight to walnut decking and a console to keep the drinks cool.

The Safari is just one of a number of differently configured electromod versions of the classic Range Rover that Lunaz offers. Knowing Lunaz, the transformation is typically thorough, involving a bare metal restoration of the donor vehicle along with the electrification of systems including braking, steering and air-conditioning. You can also well imagine that taking so much structure out of the monocoque needed plenty of reinforcement to keep everything tight.

Lunaz’s specs vary depending on the commission, but likely set-up here is a dual motor, all-wheel drive arrangement with system power around 360PS (268kW) with a range around 300 miles. In Octopussy, the open-air Range Rover had a full-fat petrol V8 under the bonnet (as well as a mini jet plane in the horsebox!).

No idea what it cost but in the past we have reported that Lunaz’s electrified versions of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud start at around £350,000. Not for everyone then, but then if you have the money, adore the classic Range Rover, want a convertible and are passionate about the environment, what else is there?