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In a sea of ​​restomods, this Land Rover Defender V8 restored to perfection is the one we want.

Posted on by L. Dreeye
In a sea of ​​restomods, this Land Rover Defender V8 restored to perfection is the one we want.

Transformed into all-electric city slickers and six-wheeled desert sand scavengers, Land Rover Defenders are the perfect canvas for off-road tuning. But it’s this beautifully restored example, available in Solihull, that has us head over heels in love!

Whether you fall in love with their boxy yet handsome looks, marvel at their rugged reliability, or your heart skips a beat at the first turn of the key, a love for Land Rover is unlike any other automotive passion. Although it’s fair to say that you’re not alone in the world in your admiration for this box-shaped object of desire. Since its debut on the sand, Land Rover’s iconic shape and rugged technology that takes on any challenge has brought joy to millions of owners around the world for decades.

Saving lives with the help of firefighters, conquering mountain peaks and picking up children from school, the Defender has arguably become the most used car of all time, capable of transforming into the character its owner desires. Recently, however, finding an untouched example has become a real challenge. But if anyone can find them, it will be Solihull from Bahrain. Specializing in the sale and restoration of Land Rover and Range Rover Classic models from the brand’s greatest era, the team recently struck gold with the release of a completely unmodified Defender V8.

This example, which rolled off the production line in 1985, was one of the first to feature the updated Land Rover V8 engine after many years of running diesel engines and the original 1979 V8 engine in long wheelbase variants109. This newly updated and reliable new engine will be the first V8 engine to be fitted to the short wheelbase Defender 90, giving the vehicle a completely different set of performance and appeal. One of the few complaints Land Rover owners had before this V8 was a desire for more power. So the new 114 horsepower alloy 3.5-liter V8 engine offered the perfect balance of power and usability in such a small package. This V8-powered ’90s era would set the stage for future limited edition models such as the V8 Trophy and Defender Works Bespoke.

So what makes this example so special? In truth, what stands out to us is the complete lack of a roof, raised suspension and powerful mud-loving tires. Solihull has managed to find a timeless symbol of adventure and durability that has retained its original character and now, following a complete restoration, this ’90 looks better than ever. The talented team who restored it were borderline obsessive in maintaining its vintage charm and original appearance.

Finished in White Ivory with bold 1980s double blue graphics on the sides, its clean look is complemented by body-matching wheels on skinny, perfectly chunky tires. This is the type of rubber you’ll need to cover most off-road terrain, but not too thick to ruin the ride quality on smooth surfaces. Step inside and you’ll find a beautifully restored interior with two front seats as well as comfortable outboard crew seats in the back, upholstered in rich brown leather with textured fabrics.

This Defender’s simplistic yet undeniably cool looks, coupled with the roar of the powerful and reliable V8 engine under the hood, make it the perfect companion for both city and off-road adventures. With so many examples of past Land Rover’s being given a whole new personality, finding one that is finished perhaps better than when it came off the production line is a true rarity!

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