The first generation Range Rover was launched in 1970 revolutionizing the auto industry. Its launch was the culmination of years of development by the Rover company for a vehicle combining the toughness and off-road capability of the Land Rover but yet as comfortable as a saloon car. The end result was a car that was outstanding both on and off-road marketed, quite appropriately, as "A car for all reasons". Its timeless design went largely unchanged for a quarter of a century during its production period between 1970 and 1995.

From inception, the Range Rover came with innovative features like the four speed permanent four-wheel drive gearbox and power steering on later models. Anti-roll bars were also fitted to mitigate the unpleasant effects of body roll. It also broke ranks with the Land Rover by utilising coil springs rather than leaf springs.

The introduction of a four door body in 1981 marked a significant change which proved so popular that the two door versions were discontinued. Carburettors on the petrol engines were eventually replaced by electronic fuel injection in 1986, the same year that also saw the introduction of a VM diesel engine. The VM engine was later replaced by the 200 Tdi turbodiesel engine in 1992 and 300 Tdi in 1994.

The Range Rover underlined its off-roading prowess by winning the Paris-Dakar rally in the four-wheel drive class in 1979 and 1981. Throughout much of its life the first generation model was known plainly as 'Range Rover'. It acquired the name 'Range Rover Classic' to differentiate it from its successor the second generation Range Rover model P38A.