By its very nature, a cult can’t be killed. And so it’s with the unique Land Rover Defender, a humble manufacturing automobile that survived to see its seventieth anniversary. Beloved by everybody from architects, rock stars, trend designers to long-term Wallpaper* staffers, customised by the likes of Paul Smith, Keith Haring and Studio Job, the Defender is regularly discovering contemporary followers.
(Picture credit score: Himalaya)
Regardless of being changed by the brand new Defender again in 2019, the unique automobile stays on the core of Land Rover’s iconography, in addition to inspiring new machines from Ineos’s well-regarded Grenadier and Fusilier to the extra esoteric Munro Mk1 and Fering Pioneer.
Traditional Sequence by Legend Motor Firm
(Picture credit score: Legend Motor Firm)
It is also a automobile that’s ripe for renovation, with a classless picture that permits ultra-high-end choices to mingle with stripped out, no-nonsense restorations. On the extremes, the Defender gives up a stable platform for limitless energy upgrades; JLR themselves have clearly taken discover, with the current announcement of the OCTA, a modern-era Defender outfitted with V8 Twin Turbo energy.
(Picture credit score: JLR)
We’ve rustled up plenty of workshops and specialists who can provide the unique mannequin an identical increase. In spite of everything, in the event you completely will need to have an overpowered SUV, reworking an unique mannequin has mildly much less environmental affect than constructing a brand new mannequin from scratch. Our information additionally takes you from classically minded specialists who prefer to hold issues pure and easy, via to the burgeoning artwork of electrification – huge within the UK, not a lot within the US, the place the attract of the large V8-engined fashions remains to be sturdy.
Heritage Pushed Limitless Sequence Defender 130
(Picture credit score: Heritage Pushed)
The next isn’t a definitive checklist, however the size and breadth of experience out there’s a sturdy indication that the cult of the Defender remains to be alive and properly. Must you need to present a Defender a second life, there are many specialists on the market decided to not let this mighty machine ever die out. Listed here are twenty-two methods to reinvent this evergreen traditional, nonetheless the right platform for upgrades, conversions and all-round basic enhancements.
Bahama Gold D90 by Bespoke Defenders
(Picture credit score: Bespoke Defenders)
Restoration specialists
Preserve it traditional: these nut and bolt restoration specialists will deliver your Defender again to concours situation, with delicate upgrades underneath the pores and skin
ECD Automotive Design, USA
(Picture credit score: ECD)
ECD works on a variety of JLR merchandise, in addition to classics like the unique Ford Mustang and Jaguar E-Sort. The Florida-based firm has a ‘Traditional’ mannequin, which takes the Defender 90 or 110 fashions (brief and long-wheelbase respectively) and overhauls every part to better-than-new situation, proper all the way down to the unique diesel engine. Upgrades embody extra luxurious ranges of trim and higher hi-fi, however there’s additionally the prospect to get a ‘base mannequin’, precisely matching the Defender’s unique spec.
Inside of the ECD Traditional Defender 110
(Picture credit score: ECD)
ECD Traditional from $149,995, ECDAutoDesign.com, @ECDAutoDesign
Himalaya, USA
(Picture credit score: Himalaya)
Primarily based in Charleston, South Carolina, Himalaya construct fearsome off-road machines but additionally lavish and punctiliously up to date old-fashioned Land Rovers, just like the Sequence 88 and Sequence 109 fashions, the Defender 90 and 110’s predecessors. This distinctive Sequence 88 Kai swaps out the unique engine for a 6.2-litre GM unit, uprates and updates suspension, wiring and instrumentation, and finishes off the entire ensemble with new leather-based upholstery and hardwood trim.
(Picture credit score: Himalaya)
Himalaya Sequence IIa, costs on utility, DriveHimalaya.com, @DriveHimalaya
John Brown 4×4, UK
(Picture credit score: John Brown 4×4)
John Brown 4×4 will service, refurbish and restore your traditional Land Rover. As one of many UK’s preeminent suppliers of the marque’s early fashions, it’s additionally grow to be an professional in upgrading and preserving a few of the earliest fashions. This 109 was a ground-up restoration, completed off with plenty of unique spec military-grade extras just like the radio aerials and instruments. The North Yorkshire-based firm can also be venturing into electrifying early Land Rovers.
John Brown 4×4, JohnBrown4x4.com, @JohnBrown4x4ltd
Legend Motor Firm, USA
Traditional Sequence by Legend Motor Firm
(Picture credit score: Legend Motor Firm)
Primarily based in Salt Lake Metropolis, Legend Motor Firm gives the ‘Traditional Sequence’, one other GM engine switch into an uprated and restored Defender physique. A lot has been manufactured from Land Rover’s unique choice to make the bodywork out of aluminium. Initially supposed as a strategy to get round metal shortages after WWII, Land Rovers have been related to the fabric ever since, benefitting from its lightness and sturdiness. Legend go additional, putting in a traditional physique on a model new chassis, suspension, engine and transmission, along with air-conditioning and a detachable Bluetooth stereo system.
Legend Traditional Sequence, from $189,000, LegendMotorCo.com, @LegendMotorCo
Overfinch Heritage, UK
Overfinch Heritage Defender 90 Traditional
(Picture credit score: Overfinch Heritage)
A protracted-standing unofficial associate, Overfinch Heritage revels in including ranges of luxurious finishes and equipment to what was as soon as a real utility automobile. Whereas sister firm – simply ‘Overfinch’ – is devoted to JLR’s up to date automobiles, the Heritage arm is not any much less obsessive about bringing particulars and options to the enduring Defender form, going above and past what the mum or dad firm might ever handle.
Overfinch Heritage Defender 90 Traditional
(Picture credit score: Overfinch Heritage)
This 2009 Defender 90 Traditional smooth high has a decidedly non-standard 6.2-litre GM V8, together with an non-obligatory picnic drawer within the hardwood rear deck.
Defender 90 Traditional by Overfinch Heritage, €299,990.00 plus tax, OverfinchHeritage.com, @Overfinch.com
Overfinch Heritage Defender 90 Traditional
(Picture credit score: Overfinch Heritage)
Wallis & Son Defenders, UK
(Picture credit score: Wallis & Son)
Cambridge-based Wallis & Son can hint its origins as engineering specialists again to earlier than the First World Warfare, beginning with an aeronautical focus. The trendy firm is a standard automobile restore outfit with a particular curiosity in delicate and delicate Defender upgrades. In the event you’re after a extra purist strategy to the Defender, that is one strategy to go.
Wallis & Son, WallisandSon.co.uk, @WallisandSon
Challenge Gulf Runner by Monarch Defender
(Picture credit score: Monarch Defender)
Bespoke alterations
Foot down. The unique Defender was by no means a lot of a mover, except it was a sluggish crawl over steep rocks. These consultants will unleash the automobile’s capabilities, off-road and on
Arkonik, UK
Arkonik Kraken Defender D110
(Picture credit score: Arkonik)
Primarily based in Somerset, with an outpost in Carolina, Arkonik likes to begin from scratch, taking as sound a donor automobile as it could possibly discover after which rebuilding it to the distinctive specs of a buyer. This Arkonik D110 is an uprated 8-seater 1992 Land Rover completed in unmissable Phoenix Orange, with new bodywork and a selection of unique and uprated engines (together with the ever-popular GM Chevrolet V8). The corporate additionally has a always up to date stocklist of pre-built automobiles.
Arkonik Kraken Defender D110
(Picture credit score: Arkonik)
Arkonik D110, from $145,000, Arkonik.com, @Arkonik
Bespoke Defenders, UK
Bahama Gold 90 by Bespoke Defenders
(Picture credit score: Bespoke Defenders)
This North Yorkshire-based firm specialises in reworking Defenders into individualised bespoke creations, swapping out engines, gearboxes, trim, with all method of non-obligatory extras. This Bahama Gold D90 was created for a shopper who retains the automobile in Spain for half the yr, and components just like the convertible canvas roof had been created particularly for its time within the solar.
Bahama Gold 90 by Bespoke Defenders
(Picture credit score: Bespoke Defenders)
Bespoke Defenders, BespokeDefenders.co.uk, @BespokeDefendersUK
Blackbridge, USA
Blackbridge Motors Mark IV
(Picture credit score: Blackbridge Motors)
Scott Gilbert’s Blackbridge Motors has created this ‘Seashore Cruiser’ mannequin from a Defender Mark IV. Describing the automobiles as ‘Defender-inspired’, Blackridge’s course of goes additional than most in that the automobile itself is a whole restmod, relatively than a restoration. Below the acquainted bodywork – right here in chop high convertible mode – the Mark IV follows the usual Blackridge route of utilizing an all-new chassis and Normal Motors engine, working gear and four-wheel-drive system. The consequence? Traditional British seems to be with dependable American muscle.
Blackbridge Motors Mark IV
(Picture credit score: Blackbridge Motors)
Blackbridge Motors Defender Mark IV ‘Seashore Cruiser’, from $169,750, BlackbridgeMotors.com, @BlackBridgeMotors
Chelsea Truck Firm, UK
Flying Huntsman 6×6 by Chelsea Truck Firm
(Picture credit score: Chelsea Truck Firm)
Challenge Kahn has garnered a repute as a maverick outfit, unafraid to go to extremes when re-shaping and re-styling an enormous swathe of luxurious fashions. The corporate’s 4×4 specialist outpost, the Chelsea Truck Firm, is not going to solely widen and uprate any type of traditional Defender, however can even add an additional axle.
Flying Huntsman 6×6 by Chelsea Truck Firm
(Picture credit score: Chelsea Truck Firm)
The result’s the Flying Huntsman, a monumental, George Miller-style slice of automotive extra that might trigger Land Rover’s unique engineers to quake of their boots.
Land Rover Defender 110 XS Utility 6×6, £500,000, ChelseasTruckCompany.com, ProjectKahn.com, @afzalkahn
Heritage Pushed, USA
Heritage Pushed Keswick Inexperienced Defender 130
(Picture credit score: Heritage Pushed)
Combining extra conventional restorations and overland set-ups with radically overhauled fashions, New Mexico-based Heritage Pushed can take the Defender to new extremes. This bespoke lengthy wheelbase Defender 130 completed in Keswick Inexperienced set its proprietor again practically $300,000.
Heritage Pushed Limitless Sequence, value on utility, HeritageDriven.com, @HeritageDriven
Manz Motor Firm, USA
Manz Motor Firm Land Rover Seashore Runner
(Picture credit score: Manz Motor Firm)
The Defender 110 Seashore Runner is only one of plenty of customized choices from New Hampshire-based Manz Motor Firm. The open-topped seashore cruiser began life as a 1993 mannequin, earlier than being comprehensively rebuilt and kitted out in black paint and contrasting leather-based inside. Manz can even indulge those that need to add one other pair of wheels to their Land Rover.
Manz Motor Firm Land Rover Seashore Runner
(Picture credit score: Manz Motor Firm)
Manz Motor Firm, ManzMotorCompany.com, @ManzMotorCompany
Monarch Defender, USA
Gulf Runner by Monarch Defender
(Picture credit score: Monarch Defender)
So named for its use of the traditional Gulf Oil racing colors, Challenge Gulf Runner is a current providing from Iowa outfit Monarch Defender. The corporate is totally devoted to Defender restoration, with a wide-ranging stocklist of upmarket one-off builds, together with the classically styled Retroflux mannequin and the forthcoming Nomad EV mannequin. Uprated interiors, new engines (or battery packs) are simply the beginning of the accessible upgrades.
Gulf Runner by Monarch Defender
(Picture credit score: Monarch Defender)
Challenge Gulf Runner, Monarch Defender, from $239,000, MonarchDefender.com, @MonarchDefender
Transatlantic Buying and selling Firm Ltd, USA
(Picture credit score: Transatlantic Buying and selling Firm Ltd)
Based in Vermont by a few UK expats, TATC brings the glories of the varied Defender fashions to the American market. Providing a variety of upgraded fashions, together with swapping out the diesel engine for a V8, TATC’s meticulous overhaul of the traditional 110 mannequin can seat as much as 12 individuals and is proven right here with a Normal Motors V8 Conversion.
(Picture credit score: TATC Ltd)
TATC Defender 110, from $128,000, LandRoverDefenderUSA.com
Twisted Automotive, UK
(Picture credit score: Twisted Automotive)
A legendary identify in Land Rover efficiency, Twisted Automotive additionally supply their providers on the diminutive however competent Suzuki Jimny. Their core providing remains to be the enduring Defender, nonetheless, and many years of expertise makes them the go-to selection of significant drivers.
(Picture credit score: Twisted Automotive)
In addition to providing conversion kits to steadily uprate and rework your present Defender, Tornado additionally undertakes bespoke fee from its North Yorkshire base. A gross sales outpost in Tokyo hints on the international cult following of those excessive efficiency choices.
Twisted Automotive, TwistedAutomotive.com, @Twisted_Automotive
The Land Rovers Electrical undertaking
(Picture credit score: The Land Rovers)
Go electrical
Create a buzz. The rock-solid Defender platform has loads of house for batteries and loads of clients searching for bespoke zero emission rides. These corporations all create electrified traditional Defenders for the fashionable period
Bedeo, UK
Bedeo Reborn Electrical Defender
(Picture credit score: Bedeo)
UK-based specialists Bedeo dietary supplements its enterprise uprating and electrifying vans for small companies with a facet hustle creating EV ‘icons’. First up is that this Reborn Electrical Defender, which began life as a daily Land Rover Defender 110 and now has a 75kWh battery and 4 electrical motors to present a variety of round 150 miles.
Reborn Electrical Defender, enquiries to Bedeo.tech, @Bedeo_Tech
Everatti, UK
(Picture credit score: Everrati)
Everrati at the moment are a widely known amount within the area of interest world of traditional electrification. Well-known for his or her all-electric Porsches and the occasional Mercedes, the corporate can also be adept at changing traditional Vary Rovers and Defenders. That is the Everrati Land Rovers Sequence IIa, a lovingly restored early mannequin Land Rover that preserves its utilitarian simplicity, needing solely a 55kWh battery to exceed the unique efficiency and vary. Extras embody Bridge of Weir leather-based inside and teak decking.
Everrati Land Rovers Sequence IIa, extra data at Everrati.com, @EverratiCars
The Landrovers, Netherlands
The Landrovers Electrical undertaking
(Picture credit score: The Landrovers)
The Landrovers runs the complete gamut of restoration choices, nevertheless it’s the Dutch outfit’s new Electrical Defender that has caught our eye. Two fashions, the Panterra Lion and Panterra Cheetah supply completely different ranges of efficiency and vary, with a very revised touchscreen instrument set-up and a most vary of round 375 miles because of in-wheel motors.
Inside of The Landrovers Electrical undertaking
(Picture credit score: The Landrovers)
Panterra Lion, from €522,500, The Landrovers, The-Landrovers.com, @TheLandrovers
Raglan Motors, USA
Electrical undertaking by Raglan Motors
(Picture credit score: Raglan Motors)
North Carolina-based Raglan Motors construct superbly completed electrified Land Rovers, integrating tried and examined Tesla batteries into uprated and overhauled our bodies to create sturdy, silent machines. Beginning with both the shopper’s personal automobile or a specifically sourced donor automobile, the corporate is dedicated to holding the Land Rover’s legendary talents intact, albeit in zero emission kind.
Raglan Motors, Raglan.com, @RaglanMotors
Retro Defenders, UK
Retro Defenders Electrical 90
(Picture credit score: Retro Defenders)
British outfit Retro Defenders is branching out into electrification with its Defender 90 conversion. Taking a equipment from Electrogenic, the Challenge Privé EV is a 1997 mannequin Defender with Dolphin Gray paintwork that offers the boxy kind a recent high-tech look.
Defender 90 Electrical by Retro Defenders, value on utility, RetroDefenders.co.uk, @Retro_Defenders
Retro Electrical, UK
(Picture credit score: Retro Electrical)
British firm Retro Electrical has a broad portfolio of traditional conversions, starting from the Volkswagen Beetle and campervan to the Porsche 911 and Fiat 500. Their tackle a zero emission Land Rover began life as a 2004 Defender 90, and the automobile has weathered the addition of an 85 kWh battery pack and a Tesla motor with out dropping any of its agricultural appeal.
Electrical Land Rover Defender 90, from £100,000, RetroElectrics.co.uk, @RetroElectrics
Zero Labs, USA
Zero Labs Land Rover Sequence III 109
(Picture credit score: Zero Labs)
Los Angeles-based Zero Labs supply a number of tempting electrical restomods, specializing in traditional SUVs just like the Toyota FJ 60, Jeep Wagoneer, unique Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Blazer.
Inside of the Zero Labs Land Rover Sequence III 109
(Picture credit score: Zero Labs)
In amongst all this American and Japanese steel is that this electrical Land Rover Sequence II/III 109, a sublime proposal for reworking the classically handsome 60s and 70s period mannequin into a recent cruiser that’s been tastefully upgraded inside and outside.
Zero Labs Electrical Land Rover Sequence II/III 109, value on utility, ZeroLabs.com, @ZeroLabsAuto
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