A very honest Land Rover 90 in an unusually original condition
Boasting just one previous owner and an original mileage of under 56,000
Equipped with the range sweet-spot 2.5L Turbo Diesel engine
The Appeal
The Land Rover Defender needs little introduction and the history of the Wilks brothers’ involvement in creating this utilitarian icon is now the stuff of automotive legend. The replacement for the Series Land Rovers happened along in 1983 but started out simply known as the Land Rover 90 and 110 in reference to their respective wheelbases.
The “new” car remained reassuringly faithful to the Series III vehicle it superseded. Main changes were the move to more compliant coil springs, permanent four-wheel drive and a taller, single piece windscreen.
Our example has an amazingly straight forward provenance for a 37-year-old Land Rover. It is in the keeping of just its second owner, having covered just 56,000 miles, and remaining refreshingly unmodified and unmolested. Definitely one for the Land Rover connoisseur.
The History and Paperwork
First registered in 1987 in just the fourth year of 90 production
This example has been used and enjoyed by just 1 previous owners
This ownership accounted for around 20,000 miles of the total
By the end of this period the mileage was up to around 53,000 miles
In current ownership less than 3,000 miles have been covered
Today this 90 appears in a clearly used but very original condition throughout
A healthy archive of paperwork is on hand
This includes V5 in the owner’s name
The current advisory free MOT valid until August 2024 is also present
Many previous MOTs are also included in hard copy
These help to validate the low original mileage of the Land Rover
The original owner’s manual is present
So is the all-important service booklet
This covers 12 services spanning the period from 1987 to 1999
A number of service and maintenance invoices are also included
Recent ones document a new battery and a new set of tyres in 2023
The original build sheet is unusually present as are numerous tax disks
The Condition
This example is configured in true farm specification of truck cab and pickup back
The 90 appears to be wearing its original Bronze Green paintwork
The cab roof and steel wheels are finished in contrasting Limestone
For enthusiasts this 90 probably has the perfect level of patina
The original paint is faded in places with a matt appearance in others
The odd dent and scuff are present but surprisingly few for the age and type of vehicle
There’s a minor degree of reaction-based blistering in places
Our Land Rover is fitted with 16 inch, eight-hole steel wheels
These appear to be in decent condition and are finished in Limestone
A matching set of chunky off-road tyres are noted and were fitted in 2023
Large, reinforced plastic wheel arch extensions are fitted
An adjustable height tow ball is fitted with accompanying single electrics
Large Land Rover branded mud flaps are fitted at the rear
The cabin of our Land Rover will appear very familiar to those of a certain age
The familiar three-abreast seating arrangement is noted
These seats are finished in black and are in an excellent condition throughout
The rest of the cabin condition is very good indeed whilst remaining utilitarian
Hard-wearing textured rubber matting adorns the floor
The dashboard is standard, and minimal, Land Rover fare
An original, four spoke Land Rover embossed steering wheel is fitted
Door cards are dressed in hard wearing, black vinyl
A fitted fabric headlining panel is fitted to reduce noise and maximise heat insulation
The rear pickup bed is appropriately patinaed and home to the spare wheel
The Mechanics
Fitted with the trusty and torquey 2.5L turbo diesel engine
Noted for providing a great combination of power, economy, and longevity
Originally rated at around 85bhp and a generous 150Ib-ft of torque
This Defender is also fitted with the five-speed manual gearbox
The usual transfer box offer low range and diff locking is present
Given the original low mileage and maintenance history mechanical condition is considered very good
The engine bay looks as original as the rest of the 90
The expected data plates are present and correct
The underside looks to be in good, undamaged condition
The corrosion present appears to be just of the expected surface variety
If required, further improvement could be wrought via wire brushing and spray treating
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
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Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1987 Land Rover 90 Turbo Diesel
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