1996 Land Rover Defender 110

If you really need to go to the deepest, darkest parts of the world, there arent many vehicles more capable than this frame-off, nut-and-bolt restored 1996 Land Rover Defender 110. Taking all theyd 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 wouldnt understand, let alone buy. But if youre one of the lucky few, then you know that there really is no place this awesome Defender cant go. With a 2.5L Turbo Diesel powering this low-wheelbase brute, a very fresh and super-slick Coris Grey Metallic paintjob wrapped around its muscular exterior, and bespoke Camel Brown leather cabin, this Landy is an absolute STUNNER thats ready to traverse the world in style. Youve 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 doesnt belong is on pavement. However, thats 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 Defenders 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 thats 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. Its not perfect, because this was a truck never meant to be living a sheltered life, but its about as nice as youll 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 thats ready for just about anything. Of course, its so clean that looking good is probably the only challenge its ever faced, because this truck sure doesnt look like its 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. Theres a meaty, leather-wrapped steering wheel exactly where its supposed to be (unless youre 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 wont come in handy out on the trail or when youre 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, theres still plenty of storage and a gorgeous teak-wood floor that really dresses things up. Power comes from Land Rovers 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. Its been fully rebuilt, properly maintained, and remains relatively stock with signs of recent service throughout. Its 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, thats 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!