1996 Land Rover Defender 110

Description

If you really need to go to the deepest, darkest parts of the world, there aren't many vehicles more capable than this frame-off, nut-and-bolt restored 1996 Land Rover Defender 110. Taking all they'd learned about off-roading over the past seven decades and cramming it into a truck-shaped box, Land Rover built a truck they knew most Americans wouldn't understand, let alone buy. But if you're one of the lucky few, then you know that there really is no place this awesome Defender can't go. With a 2.5L Turbo Diesel powering this low-wheelbase brute, a very fresh and super-slick Coris Grey Metallic paintjob wrapped around it's muscular exterior, and bespoke Camel Brown leather cabin, this Landy is an absolute STUNNER that's ready to traverse the world in style.

You've seen the familiar shape on the plains of Africa, the swamps of South America, and slogging across the tundra in Antarctica; just about the only place this truck doesn't belong is on pavement. However, that's a big part of its appeal, because this is one butch truck that absolutely kills out on the street, obliterating all the Mommy-Wagons that dare challenge it. NOBODY kicks sand in the Defender's face, and especially not after the makeover this one received. It wears several very recent coats of custom Coris Grey Metallic paint (which was the base, and then darkened into the bespoke paint you see today), and we love it as a modern take on a traditional Landie hue, and it also gives this beast an industrial strength look that's outrageously appealing. The aluminum bodywork is light but strong, and all those right angles and sharp corners were designed to make it easy to service in the field. Finish quality is now much better than what you got from the Brits thanks to a comprehensive restoration completed by the pros at 34 North Defenders to the tune of over $70K. It's not perfect, because this was a truck never meant to be living a sheltered life, but it's about as nice as you'll ever see in a vintage Landie. Add-on goodies include blacked-out bumpers fore and aft, a front skid plate, upgraded HID and LED lighting throughout, heavy-duty stepbars, and color-matched fender flares that make room for the oversized rolling stock. And with the Safari roof rack holding up a removeable softop, along with the matching swing-away spare, you have a truck that's ready for just about anything. Of course, it's so clean that looking good is probably the only challenge it's ever faced, because this truck sure doesn't look like it's ever left the asphalt.

Thanks to a full makeover that stuffed the cabin full of high-end materials, the spacious interior is remarkably civilized and looks deliciously opulent. With great-looking Camel leather buckets up front, a split bench with room for four in the middle, and a set of side-facing benches in the very back, you could take the whole neighborhood on Safari. The high-end upholstery features diamond-cut inserts in all the seats, beautifully tailored door panels to match, and heavy-duty, indoor/outdoor carpeting lines the floors and is further protected by thick, rubber floormats. So yeah, despite the luxurious look, this interior can handle the tough-and-dirty in stride. There's a meaty, leather-wrapped steering wheel exactly where it's supposed to be (unless you're a subject of the Royal Family), big, bold gauges, simple controls for the HVAC that blows ice cold through the multiple vents below, and plenty of storage cubbies for your gear. The builder added a couple USB chargers and a JVC multi-media screen in the center stack, so modern entertainment is definitely on the menu, and the front buckets are both power-actuated and heated. Tell me that won't come in handy out on the trail or when you're driving from mall-to-mall at Christmas time. The wide center console was stitched to match the seats and offers extra storage and cup holders, while the shifters for the transmission and transfer case are both topped with polished knobs and outfitted with leather skirts. And even with the extra benches out back, there's still plenty of storage and a gorgeous teak-wood floor that really dresses things up.

Power comes from Land Rover's long-running 2.5-liter I4 Turbo Diesel, which will run on just about any combustible liquid you can find out in the middle of nowhere. Reliable and torquey, the fuel-injected powerplant serves the Defender quite well and with proven durability in the most remote areas of the globe, you should have no worries about getting to your destination. It's been fully rebuilt, properly maintained, and remains relatively stock with signs of recent service throughout. It's very clean and detailed under the hood as well, showing no sign of abuse or negligence from its past, so pop the hood and show it off with great pride. The 5-speed manual transmission and 2-speed transfer case permit decent highway cruising and low-speed crawling with equal success, and the upgraded suspension was designed to crawl over boulders the size of Volkswagens without damage. Gorgeosu late-model Land Rover 16-inch wheels are durable and wear 235/85/16 Cooper off-road tires that look exactly right on this chiseled bruiser.

Go anywhere, do anything, and do it in style and comfort, that's the Land Rover way. This is a very impressive, 100% restored machine that can handle any challenge, even if you never set tire off pavement. Call today!