Highlights

• A fine-looking Land Rover 90 fitted with lots of desirable enhancements and improvements
• Fitted with the robust 300Tdi engine mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox
• Low, recent use having covered only around 22,000 miles in the last 10 years
  
  

The Appeal

Our example has clearly had love and attention lavished on it over the years. In recent history it has benefitted from a new galvanised Richards Chassis galvanised replacement and a replacement bulkhead from a later TD5. It is also unusual in featuring the later 300 Tdi engine mated to an automatic gearbox. An unusual and interesting specification having been successfully futureproofed.

The History and Paperwork

• First registered in 1987 in just the fourth year of Defender production
• This example has been used and enjoyed by 13 previous owners
• A number of these are understood to be the current owner’s son
• He has owned the Land Rover on a number of occasions
• In one of those ownership periods the Land Rover has been upgraded
• The key change has been the fitment of the respected 300 Tdi engine
• This is mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox
• Our Land Rover has been quite lightly used in its recent history
• It has covered around 22,000 miles since 2013
• The current owner acquired the Land Rover from his son in September 2021
• During his ownership a new galvanised chassis and replacement TD5 bulkhead have been fitted
• This owner has also painted all body panels inside and out
• Minimal paperwork is on hand for the Land Rover
• This amounts to the current V5 in the owner’s name
• The last MOT has recently expired in June 2023 
• This owner confirms a new MOT will be applied and the test is booked
• The Land Rover’s MOT history, back to 2006, is available online

The Interior

• The cabin of our Land Rover will appear very familiar to those of a certain age
• Separate front seats are fitted separated by a large, central storage cubby
• These seats are finished in black vinyl with fabric inserts
• These are fitted with headrests for additional safety and comfort
• The conditional is reasonable with some minor age-related wear noted
• The cabin has been generously carpeted in black, hard-wearing carpet
• The dashboard is standard, and minimal, Land Rover fare
• An original, four spoke Land Rover steering wheel is fitted
• A modern Sony CD / radio head unit is fitted 
• This powers a pair of under-dash surface mounted speakers
• 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 cabin is accessed by a large, rear, hinged door
• The rear door is finished with an internal chequer plate panel
• Sliding rear windows are fitted for additional ventilation
• The rear cabin has recently been repainted by the vendor
• Plenty of paint appears to have been applied with some runs noted
  
  

The Exterior

• The Land Rover presents well thanks to a recent respray by the owner
• All panels have been treated to a thick finish of Marine Blue
• The general paint condition looks to be generally good 
• Although not of a fully professional standard, the finish is “Land Rover appropriate”
• Galvanised front bumper and sill panels are fitted
• The rear cross member is finished in textured black, and a towbar fitted
• The spare wheel and tyre are mounted to the rear door
• Twin, rear LED work lamps are fitted
• The front wing tops are fitted with chequer plate panels
• Our Land Rover is fitted with 16 inch, eight-hole steel wheels
• These appear to be in decent condition and are silver grey painted 
• A matching set of chunky 265/75 off-road tyres are fitted
• Large, reinforced plastic wheel arch extensions are fitted
• The roof panel is painted in a contrasting Limestone hue 
  
  

The Mechanics

• Our example is fitted with the trusty and torquey 300 Tdi engine
• The 300 Tdi was first fitted to Land Rovers in 1994
• It was an evolution of the earlier 200 Tdi engine but exhibited over 200 changes
• The four cylinder, 2.5L turbo charged diesel unit was originally good for around 120 bhp
• More importantly over 200 Ib-ft of torque was on tap from a mere 1,800 rpm
• This Defender is also fitted with an automatic gearbox
• The transfer box is still present meaning low range and diff locking is still available
• Little is known about the earlier maintenance history of the Land Rover
• The current owner says that the Land Rover drives well with no faults reported
• The underside looks to be in excellent condition
• This is thanks to a new Richards Chassis galvanised chassis having been fitted
• This is witnessed by the engraved RC pictured
• The owner has painted the chassis black primarily to deter theft 
• Anti-roll bars have been fitted under here and polythene bushes are fitted
  
  

Summary