Just 3 owners from new, full service history detailed in service book, 11 months mot with no advisories, full set of keys including a key with integrated immobiliser.
Bought 13 years ago from Nene Overland when it had been freshly refurbished and covered 60, 000 miles.
After 13 years of ownership it still looked good but in need of a refresh which turned into £13, 000 of work over the last two years including full body refurbishment and respray (see photographs), new rear door, new rear cross member, air con compressor and condenser etc Very little use and garaged since it is thus in excellent condition, every thing works as it should and it wants for nothing.
We were looking for a 50th anniversary Defender as, being essentially a North American specification, it is fitted with an automatic gear box with the benefit of a lovely 3. 9l V8, more compliant suspension and sound proofing making it a “go anywhere”, very easy and comfortable car for short or long journeys. It has great character, fun to drive, with refinement more akin to a Discovery.
I bought this one as, unlike many, it was pretty much standard and unmolested. Whilst it appeared to be in excellent condition at the time of purchase, a few issues soon became apparent, corrosion in rear cross member and outriggers, worn cam shaft, corroded exhaust and blocked catalysts etc.
The rear cross member was replaced, a new Piper Torqmax cam, followers etc and Janspeed stainless steel exhaust and new catalysts were fitted.
Since then the outriggers have been replaced, a Mark Adams chip and injection pressure regulator have been fitted along with an Ashcroft ATB limited slip rear differential and Britpart 8, 500lb winch with dyneema rope, DAB radio and Parrot Bluetooth hands free telephone system fitted.
The original radio and cd changer are included in the sale although they are not tested. The original spot lights were changed as they would not fit over the winch but are also included in the sale along with the original front bumper should any one wish to remove the winch.
After 13 years of ownership it was still looking good but, on close inspection, there were various areas of the usual corrosion around the tub cappings etc and so some “tidying” up was commissioned by a highly regarded body shop. Once the work started other issues were identified and in the end a full body refurbishment was conducted. Whilst they looked good, the door bottoms were found to be corroded, as one would expect and were repaired and cavity wax injected.
The rear door also looked fine too but the frame was too badly corroded to make a good repair and so was replaced with a new and correct, two piece door with a galvanised steel frame. In total the work cost in excess £8, 000.
The rear crossmember was found to be badly corroded again and replaced although the rest of the chassis was found to be in excellent condition. It was Waxoiled and cavity waxed. This and a full service cost a further £2, 500.
I hope the photographs will give an idea as to the work undertaken.
The air conditioning needed regular recharging and it was found that the compressor, a pipe and condenser were leaking and replaced along with the rear crankshaft oil seal costing a further £2, 500.
These Defenders are now over 20 years old and whilst they may look good from photographs and initial visual inspection, they can conceal “horrors” beneath!
This Defender, however, is now in excellent condition having had in excess of £13, 000 spent over the last couple of years.
We’ve very much enjoyed the Defender, having covered a further 55, 000 miles since purchase, but we now have a modern 4x4 and in a strange way, it now feels too good to use so with some reluctance we have decided to sell for someone else to enjoy.
