Since Land Rover made the decision to discontinue what is now known as the classic Defender demand has increased across the board for these timeless hardy machines in all their various forms, shapes and sizes.
Essentially offered with 2 wheelbase lengths of either 90” or 110” and with a variety of engines and body styles over the years but the one we have here is the 110 3 door hard-top that can seat up to 9 people with its rear load bench seats.
Originally fitted with a petrol V8 this particular example has been professionally modified to provide a much more powerful engine with the added benefit of running on the newer E10 unleaded fuel.
Originally supplied to the military in 1990 it then passed into private hands and was first registered for the road with the DVLC in 1999, since which time it has passed through the hands of five caring owners.
The previous owner decided that the power delivery and handling of this 110 needed some improvement and sought the help of Land Rover specialists to resolve the issue. The result was changing the existing V8 engine for a 40th anniversary Land Rover 4.0 V8 which had been increased in cubic capacity to a more invigorating 4.6 litres.
Added to this was a fully programmable ECU to vary the engine power delivery and characteristics to suit the driver, and various other performance upgrades to help harness the increased power and torque now available.
An uprated competition heavy duty clutch was added to the mix along with a fully reconditioned 5 speed Santana gearbox, a sports stainless steel exhaust system connected to an uprated manifold and K&N airfilters, with uprated suspension with polybushes fitted all round with all the rose bushes being welded just for good measure.
The car comes with its V5c showing 5 owners since being registered with the DVLC in 1999 and lots of previous MOTs collected over the years together with some receipts for various works and items, and a current MOT which expires in November 2022.
There’s also a warranty from June 2021 covering the engine and management system for two years, together with a manual explaining how to play with the engine management system to change power delivery etc.
Inside the Defender you’ll find the usual basic but functional layout and fascia with a few modifications in the form of two Sparco seats and a Momo steering wheel all in nice clean condition.
There is a gauge missing from the centre dash panel and the door cards are a tad shabby, but the driver instruments are clear and all work and the footwell floors are reported to be nice and solid too.
The interior overall though is in nice and presentable condition having recently been refurbished with a decent centre cubby box, carpets and rubber mats throughout.
Originally supplied in military green the car has been re-sprayed in the rather fetching blue with a sign written hard top all of which appears in good solid condition for a car of this age.
There are a few spots of rust at the front of the windscreen and on all the various hinges to be found around the car. There are a few dings and scratches in the body work rear three quarter panel as shown in the but the roof appears clean and in good order.
The steel wheels, running with wheel spacers, are nice and free from any damage and all are shod with matching tyres with plenty of life left in them.
Many £’s have been spent to make this Defender drive smoothly and deliver a more spirited and easy driving experience. Along with the various performance upgrades the car has recently been fully serviced and tuned and is reported to drive nice and sweetly.
The Land Rover Defender is a great example of the genre whose roots you can trace back to 1948 when the first Series 1 Land Rover was born.
Loved and worshipped by drivers from all walks of life, from the Queen, to farmers and those just doing the school run, whether you’re looking for a serious workhorse or a timeless classic car that will continue to be in demand, the Defender is the perfect solution, with this one’s performance upgrades seriously improving the fun factor and driver experience. One thing is pretty certain, you’re unlikely to see many Defenders like this one, or certainly sound like it.
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