The go-go eighties took automotive excess to new heights thanks in part to a cottage industry of custom coachbuilders like Vantagefield Limited. The UK-based firm, founded in 1982 by industry veterans David Linder and Graham Chalkley, fielded expert subcontractors to customize a wide range of vehicles with convertible roofs and stretched chassis, with the core business being in Range Rovers.

A model called the Chamois featured a full convertible top, while another designated the Rapier included a cutout in the roof. Both Range Rover conversions were offered in standard and extended length. Designed with hunting in mind, they could be fitted with hydraulic mechanisms to lift the seats above the roofline for unparalleled views of quarry. The craftsmanship and quality of work were second to none, with many Vantagefield conversions appearing as if executed at the factory. In true over-the-top eighties fashion, the company’s efforts included executions featuring six side doors, 6x6 drivetrain, or even the front-end of a W126 Mercedes-Benz E-Class grafted on.

This tastefully executed four-door Vantagefield Range Rover Chamois is finished in the same black-over-white color combination as a later two-door example built by Chris Hahn’s Styling Garage in Hamburg, Germany, for the royal family of Brunei, which was delivered new to their residence in Beverly Hills, California. Both this Chamois and the Styling Garage two-door example were reportedly purchased as a matching pair by the former owner. CARFAX reports for both cars show they were registered and maintained in Southern California throughout the 1990s with emissions checks and dates strongly suggesting they were owned together. Importantly, the titles for both Vantagefield Range Rovers were updated in September 1999, indicating that they were sold at the same time. Although the correlation is not proven with 100-percent certainty, it is strongly believed that this Chamois was part of the royal family of Brunei collection kept in California along with the matching Styling Garage two-door convertible.

After being sold in 1999, this Chamois and the matching Styling Garage example remained with the same Southern California-based owner until the consignor purchased both within the last couple of years. While some Vantagefield Chamois featured bodywork extended by 10 inches at the rear, this example preserves the model’s attractive original proportions along with the rear tailgate, which opens to a spacious trunk. The power-operated white fabric soft-top is fully lined and conceals beneath a color-matched soft boot when stowed.

Digital scans of a period Vantagefield catalog on file show this Chamois riding on its distinctive, multi-spoke alloy wheels, and pictured with an optional black removable hard top, an example of which is included in the sale. Having remained in California since 1993 and showing only 41,406 miles at cataloguing time bode well for its condition.

An excellent choice for Range Rover enthusiasts seeking a unique variation of a timeless classic, this fascinating, rare convertible will surely stand out wherever it goes, be it cruising beaches or chasing quarry.