1985 | Land Rover Range Rover Classic Rometsch

Highlights:

• Rometsch Bodywork
• One of three vehicles built by Rometsch
• The first Rometsch conversion
• Almost like-new original condition
• VAT reclaimable

Brand & Model History:

The Range Rover was built for off-road use. — With British elegance in its equipment, it was also meant to perform well off paved roads. However, a few examples were unstoppable by almost any obstacle and even crossed the Berlin Wall.

Such as this Range Rover Rometsch hunting vehicle. For decades, the Berlin Wall divided East and West. Crossing it was not easy.

Hard currency and support from state authorities could make it easier, though.

Thus, the West Berlin coachbuilder Rometsch received an unusual order from the capital of the German Democratic Republic: the construction of a Land Rover Range Rover hunting vehicle.

The Coachbuilder Rometsch

Friedrich Rometsch first worked for the renowned firm Erdmann & Rossi.

In 1924, he founded his own bodywork company, which was active until around the turn of the millennium.

Body repairs and special builds, such as extended VW Beetles used as taxis, were one branch of the business. However, Rometsch became famous in the 1950s as a manufacturer of sporty, elegant coupés and convertibles.

These carried the names Beeskow and Lawrence – after the designers of the cars, Johannes Beeskow and Bert Lawrence.

At a time when the streets were dominated by the VW Beetle, Rometsch demonstrated what was possible based on the Volkswagen. Rometsch gained not only domestic buyers but also succeeded in the U.S.

Initially, Rometsch obtained its VW chassis directly from Volkswagen. But with the release of the Karmann-Ghia, Volkswagen was no longer interested in strengthening a competitor.

Through intermediaries, chassis continued to reach Berlin-Halensee, but Rometsch vehicle sales plummeted. Against VW’s own coupés and convertibles, they were at a losing end. Additionally, by 1961, West Berlin faced a new political problem. Workers from the eastern part of the city were no longer available due to the construction of the Wall.

Thus, the production of their own small series models came to an end, and they focused more on bodywork and custom builds, like the British Range Rover, which was destined to go to the other side of the Wall.

One of the few hobbies of the Chairman of the Council of State, Erich Honecker, was hunting.

The Schorfheide, an hour north of Berlin, where Prussian kings once hunted, became a state hunting ground in GDR times. A vast area stocked with game, regularly replenished with animals from brotherly states.

And, as expected, it was fenced off to prevent the animals from escaping. Thus, hunting successes for members of the Council of State and their guests were almost guaranteed.

Curiously, Honecker was a good shot, but the animals he killed never made it to his plate.

For such a large area, an appropriate vehicle was needed, preferably with the drive and amenities of Western vehicles.

Over the years, four Range Rover hunting vehicles were ordered. The first Land Rover hunting vehicle was still built in England in 1982 and completed in just 12 weeks, so the car could be handed over in time for Honecker’s 70th birthday.

Apparently, the vehicle was well-received, as three years later, another was ordered. This time, however, the Rometsch company in West Berlin was commissioned, using the first British version as a model.

Compared to the first hunting vehicle, the Rometsch was significantly more expensive at over 300,000 DM than its “predecessor.” However, the craftsmanship was much more intricate and better executed.

The third—also by Rometsch—was built in 1987, almost as a twin of the second. Today, it is part of the collection at the German Museum of Technology in Berlin.

While the GDR was already in severe decline, the fourth Land Rover was completed by Rometsch in 1989. The car was long lost, resurfaced later in Portugal, and is believed to be back in Germany today.

History & Condition:

Only one of these four examples is currently for sale, the second overall and the first by Rometsch. The current owner has carefully maintained this historically significant Range Rover for many years and is ready to pass it into good hands.

The care the car has received is evident at first glance. The Range Rover Rometsch hunting vehicle presents almost like a new car. The unmodified V8 engine runs smoothly, and all gears shift effortlessly.

The highlight of the vehicle is its interior. The extended wheelbase provided space for an entire hunting party, who could relax on soft lambswool and stretch their legs. Honecker reportedly preferred the vehicle—despite the cold—with the roof open, which could be operated electrically, of course.

The genuine lambskin upholstery not only kept passengers warm but also provided protection from movement noises that could scare off game during the hunt.

An additional heater ensured a pleasant climate on cold days.

Bumper guards and extra spotlights help with any off-road excursions, not necessarily just in a hunting context.

This meticulously maintained, low-mileage example is too valuable for harsh off-road use.

Market Position & Prices

Strictly speaking, the Range Rover Rometsch hunting vehicle is more suited for enthusiasts who will continue to care for it with the same dedication—or as the crown jewel of any Land Rover collection. After all, who can claim to own a car that crossed the Iron Curtain?

Summary:

This Rometsch-converted hunting vehicle is not only an ultra-rare example, one of only four built, but also a part of German-German automotive history with British roots. Built for Erich Honecker, it is now up for auction, either for a collection or for the purpose it was designed for. Fully operational, it awaits its next mission.