1993 Land Rover Defender 110 Diesel

Description

If you have somewhere remote to go, this 1993 Land Rover Defender 110 Diesel is the perfect tool for the job. Beautifully finished in classic Grasmere Green paint, this long wheelbase rig features an upgraded leather interior, a full removable soft-top, oversized modern alloys, and a bulletproof 2.5L Inline-4 diesel powerplant mated to a smooth-shifting 5-speed gearbox. Fully sorted and looking like a million bucks (or maybe British pounds – but then again it's a LHD Landy, so dollars it is), this ultimate 4x4 is ready to be enjoyed, both on the asphalt and off.

The Defender 110 was the first ever Defender (followed by the Defender 90, and then the 127/130), introduced in 1983 as a replacement to the Series vehicles from decades prior, and it was instant hit that still represents British motoring excellence today. Sure, the Brits have their Jags, their Rolls Royces, and their McLarens among several other excellent makes to boast about, but the Land Rovers are regarded by most as the quintessential example of British prowess, and the Defender 110s are at the top of the heap. Looking at the classic lines of the 110, you know it was built for a purpose, not to be beautiful. That's not to say that there isn't beauty in the functionality of this heavy-duty hauler, because nobody has yet come up with anything that goes through the brush any better. There are Landies in every corner of the globe doing unbelievable things, and this one seems eager to join them. The Grasmere Green paint has a traditional look, although when stretched over the laser-straight sheetmetal and atop the lifted body of this giant 110, it looks more like a modern SUV than a vintage bruiser. The sheer quality of the finish has a lot to do with that, way smoother, deeper, and glossier than what you'd expect on a Defender straight from the factory, and by the glossy shine alone we can't imagine this paint job is older than just a handful of years. The wide, full-length hood, single-piece windscreen, and simple front grille are all classic Rover designs, but with the addition of modern LED lighting throughout, the heavy-duty skid-plate up front, custom bumpers fore and aft, and upgraded side-mirrors at the flanks, this '93 model looks decades younger. The aftermarket side-steps, modern alloys, and new tan soft top add to the modern curb appeal as well, and as you might expect, everything still looks incredibly fresh. That means it hasn't been abused or bashed off-roading, even though you know it was incredibly hard to resist. The removable doors (complete with sliding windows) fit nicely and while the face has changed a bit since the early days, it's still undeniably a Land Rover. Big paint-matched flares cover the oversized off-road tires, and who doesn't love the adventurous look of the tire mounted out back on the swing-away tailgate?

Inside it's not at all as plain inside as you might expect, with twin leather bucket seats up front, another row of the same in the back, and a set of equally upholstered jump seats in the waaaaay back. Diamond-cut patterns make the interior feel more like a Mercedes G-Wagon than a rough-and-tumble Landie inside, and the elegant upholstery is continued on the center console and the leather shift skirts that spiff-up the 5-speed manual and differential lock shifters, which also come topped with gorgeous aluminum knobs. Gorgeous tan carpeting covers the floors and side panels inside the cabin and storage area (although the door panels are simple steel), and thick, rubber mats and marine floor coverings were added to protect them and remind us that this is still a truck that likes to put in a hard day's work. A stock steering wheel on the left-hand side means this British beauty was meant for the Americas, and the stock dash features original gauges, switches, and controls that cover all the Defender's vitals – specifically designed to be interpreted by people all over the world.

For reliability in the harshest conditions, there's simply nothing that can beat a diesel, and the Defender featured a progressively more powerful and modern 2.5L Inline-4 Diesel than what was offered in the Series. It fires right up and runs superbly, and with a revised cylinder head and a longer stroke than the legendary 2.25-litre unit it replaced – along with modern fuel-injection – it's quitter, smoother, more efficient, and definitively more reliable. There's a reason you see these Defenders out on Safari, exploring remote areas of the globe, and traversing through wars and embattled conflicts – it's because they can be relied upon regardless of the task. Sure, it still clatters and shakes a bit like a diesel, but the big hit of low-end torque and tall gears in the axles make it feel lively around town, if not necessarily fast. Row the 5-speed manual properly and it has no problem running through traffic and it cruises easily at modern highway speeds, and with coil springs offering a more complaint ride and improved axle articulation, you'll want to drive it every day. It's not detailed for show under the hood, but it's very neat and clean and doesn't show any signs of neglect, and that's really what matters in a truck like this. Shift action is light, the clutch take-up is clean, and with a giant radiator, power front disc brakes, and a permanent 4x4 system derived from the Range Rover (featuring a 2-speed transfer case and lockable differential), it feels quite competent on or off the pavement. Blacked-out 18-inch alloys borrowed from a late-model Land Rover come wrapped with rugged 305/70/18 Cooper Discover off-road radials that give it an updated look and improved rock-climbing capabilities.

Beautifully restored and ready for an adventure, this Defender 110 is the truck you need if you really and truly want to live the lifestyle. Call today!