Restored from ground-up by well-known Land Rover specialist
Chassis professionally rebuilt
2.5 TDi engine with LT77 transmission
Retrimmed, repainted and brilliantly presented
THE APPEAL
The Land Rover Defender is a vehicle of timeless appeal – a direct descendant of the original 1948 Land Rover and one that has seen increasing values and levels of collectability since it went out of production in 2016.
This one is a bit different from the norm, built up by Simmonites – a well-known Land Rover specialist in West Yorkshire – to a bespoke requirement on the chassis of an ex-Military ‘Wolf’ Land Rover, using a 2.5TDi engine from a Discovery and with a nod to its military past via the matt green ‘drab’ paint finish. Sitting on knobbly tyres and with modular steel wheels, it’s a cool-looking thing having been finished to a superb standard. Hk8I8QWXIr0jKbywqzlBxcrWYeao8XtcKgG0IQ9e.jpeg2.25 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Built in 1991 on military chassis
Decommissioned and given civilian registration in 2004
Supplied by Simmonites to new owner in mid-2021 after refurbishment
Rebuilt onto fully refurbished chassis by Simmonites Land Rover specialists
Supplied with a current UK V5C registration document
The Defender was retrimmed when it was rebuilt with two high-back seats in the front and four side-facing fold-down ones in the rear, the latter of which have lap belts.
It’s the perfect fun family vehicle – basic and simple, but terrific fun especially in full open-top form. If we get another summer like the one we had in 2022, it’ll be an amazing way to travel.
Up front, there’s a also a central cubby and an uprated three-spoke steering wheel, while modern upgrades include cup holders, a USB charger and a phone holder. Forget carpets, though – it’s chequer plate all the way, front and rear. 9HxTKQSjhufGzb6ES8xPb5HIcWzKBhshjn7t0rlM.jpeg1.35 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Extensive chassis rebuild
Repainted military green
Canvas weather tilt
Protected underside
LED headlamp upgrade
Finished in military green as a nod to its MOD origins, the Land Rover looks stealthy and extremely cool, sitting on modular drilled steel wheels and with knobbly all-terrain tyres.
It looks fabulous and has been rebuilt to a high standard by Simmonites, whilst underneath the chassis has seen extensive restoration work. It’s been done to a superb quality of finish and is protected by a hard-finish stonechip paint that should protect it for years to come. It’s essentially a bespoke ground-up rebuild, commissioned by the vendor using new or refurbished parts, and is in fabulous condition.
It features an A-frame bull bar and a detachable canvas ‘bikini’-style top for added weather protection, while the side steps and roll cage were brand new in 2021. GXwxwv852Xy0ybIHVDsOXetrPYE2n2P1S0PYZx9X.jpeg2.77 MB
THE MECHANICS
2.5-litre TDi engine
Five-speed manual transmission with low range
Starts and runs well
Suspension, steering and brake components all renewed
Under the bonnet, there’s a 2,495cc 2.5 TDi engine, as fitted to the contemporary Discovery. This one has been tweaked by Simmonites to give a slight power increase and better mid-range torque. The engine is coupled to Land Rover’s venerable LT77 gearbox, which operates as it should in both high and low-range.
It’s had a new wiring harness and all of the brakes, steering and suspension components were renewed when the truck was built-up by Simmonites in early 2021. According to the vendor it drives faultlessly and is tremendous fun.
This is a fabulous fun vehicle, ideal for family fun and extremely cool in terms of its appearance, with its mild-custom military style. Every Defender is a blank canvas, but what the vendor envisioned with this one has been translated into something very funky by one of the best-known Land Rover specialists in the business. It needs nothing, other than to be thoroughly enjoyed by its next lucky owner.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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