HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: 1989 Laforza Magnum luxury SUV with a modest...

Pick of the Day: 1989 Laforza Magnum luxury SUV with a modest price tag

This example of the Italian stunner has had some experience as a promotional model

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The market for 1980s SUVs has been very strong for the past few years, with Ford Broncos, Toyota FJs and International Scouts often selling for more than $40,000. This seems like quite a bit of money and is considerably more than these vehicles sold for new, but this market seems able to consume everything offered.

If you desire something a little more exotic, you might consider the Pick of the Day, a 1989 Laforza Magnum, an Italian luxury SUV.

laforza

It is completely understandable if you’ve never heard of Laforza as it was a very low-production vehicle. styled by Pininfarina legend Tom Tjaarda with bodies built by the legendary corrozzerria, a chassis from Italian industrial-vehicle company Iveco, powered by a Ford 5.0-liter V8, and with an interior nice enough to make a Range Rover seem stripped down,

Alongside the Land Rover Defender 90, Laforza was one of the “it” cars of the era. Actor Jason Priestley owned one in the early ‘90s, as did quite a few other Hollywood A listers.

This Laforza, offered for sale by a private seller in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Classicars.com, looks to be in truly excellent condition.

According to the seller’s description, this Laforza was No.  247 of only 250 US units delivered in 1989. It was not just designed by Tjaarda actually driven off the assembly line by him.  

This is the exact one used as the press car for LaForza in 1989, photographed for their magazines ads and used as a background vehicle in the Santa Barbara polo scene in the 1990 movie Pretty Woman.

It has the standard Laforza luxury options such as power everything and a stunning leather interior, but also a Level 1 Security protection package (meaning it’s bulletproof) and heavy-duty military grade front and rear suspension.

The interior and powertrain are completely original with 89,000 original miles, and the Laforza has received a high-quality repaint in the original color, the seller says. It includes its original books and stiletto pocketknife keychain that came with it when new. 

The best part is the price of only $23,000 or best offer, which is not much for something as exclusive and capable as the Laforza. Anyone can buy a first-generation Range Rover, but this Laforza would be a star at RadWood, and we bet you would have the only one there.

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

1 COMMENT

  1. At first read..eh? Bullet proof??? Now we are talking WOW factor. I can’t beleive a few pimps or cartel members don’t already have it. Still eh? But $23,000.. Quite a bit of entourage mover pretty darn cheap. Hmmm. might need a new alternator some day— 3 weeks and $3,223 later.

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