1985 Land Rover Defender

Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1985 Land Rover Defender 110, initially built by Himalaya and subsequently upgraded by Monarch - two of the worlds premier Land Rover restoration shops. Himalaya 4x4 of South Carolina imported and restored this D110 in 2011; this was a frame off restoration built to last on a fully galvanized chassis - but as one of their early builds it was equipped with a TD5 turbo diesel and a five-speed manual transmission. Most high-end shops have since moved to LT or LS-based drivetrains for custom builds, including both Himalaya and Monarch. So in 2022 the present owner embarked on a complete driveline and interior upgrade at Monarch Defender of Iowa. The result is an LS3-powered, fully updated D110 with a six-speed automatic transmission and all of the creature comforts you would expect in a modern SUV.

Paint and body present to a very nicely restored standard. Indeed, this Defender looks fantastic finished in white with an NAS-style exterior roll cage plus a Safety Devices safari rack; 20-inch Land Rover alloy wheels are wearing brand new Goodyear Wrangler all terrain tires. Puma bonnet (hood), KBX grille, LED lighting. Running boards automatically extend and retract when the doors open and shut. The body is straight and solid with no corrosion present on the doors or bulkhead; the galvanized and painted frame underneath is completely solid with zero rot. A three-inch lift gives this Defender the perfect stance (and the automatic running boards make it very easy to get in and out).

In 2022-23 Monarch completely overhauled the interior with new seats, carpets, door cards, custom dashboard, headliner, chubby box, and front power windows. Sound-deadening Boom Mat insulation was installed in the floors, roof, doors and bulkhead. They also added a Dakota Digital HDX Instrument Cluster, and as part of the driveline upgrade installed an Extreme A/C & Heat Kit with Dakota Digital Controls (plus rear A/C to keep all passengers comfortable). Atop the center stack is an Alpine touch-screen head unit with nav, bluetooth, sat radio, backup camera, app integration, etc.

Monarch fitted a crate LS3 6.2 liter V8 engine mated to a 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission with a push-button dash interface. As anyone who has driven an LS-swapped Defender can attest, the performance difference over the original drivetrain is truly remarkable. The 465 horsepower fuel-injected V8, a modern six-speed automatic transmission, new transfer case, driveshafts, differentials and axles have accrued just under 2,000 miles - this build is just getting broken in. Other recent chassis upgrades include a new steering box, new sway bars, new front brakes and Fox shocks.

New builds from Himalaya, Monarch or Arkonik can easily easily reach $300k and take an average of two years from order to delivery. This bespoke Defender 110 represents an incredible value for its next owner - the opportunity to have a restored and upgraded LS-swapped D110 without the wait and for a substantial discount. Complete records documenting the work at Monarch under present ownership are included with the sale.

For more information about this LS3-powered Land Rover Defender 110 for sale at Motorcar Studio in Savannah, please call 912-235-0435.