1996 | Land Rover Defender 90

Specification

Chassis No: SALLDVAF8TA976345

Engine: 2.5 Litre 300 TDI Diesel 

Gearbox: R380 5-Speed Manual

In Short

• Supplied new to Provence, France

• Spent the last 17 years on a Vineyard

• Highly original and now cosmetically refreshed

• NAS styling cues throughout

History of the Land Rover

The Land Rover Series range was launched in 1948 and the model, now known as the Defender, was launched in 1983 and the continuous run finished in January 2016, after 67 years. Land Rovers were inspired by the US-built Willys Jeep immediately after the war and by 1992 they claimed that 70% of all the vehicles they had ever built were still in use. The Defender and Series ranges have had a unique international presence throughout the production run, having been exported, manufactured, and produced under license by a number of other manufacturers in a variety of markets, including Australia, Southern, and North Africa, Turkey, Brazil, Pakistan, and Malaysia, to name just a few.  In 1993 Land Rover decided to take the plunge into the US market after their successful launch of the Range Rover brand in 1987 in order to offer an upmarket alternative to the Jeep Wrangler targeted at adventurous buyers. Land Rover finally had to retract their offering from the North American and Canadian markets in 1997 due to economic viability. The Defenders offered in the US during the 90’s had to be significantly modified in comparison to Land Rover’s other export markets. Subsequent federal safety regulation amendments finally withdrew the Defender from the US market entirely in 1997, with Land Rover throwing their attention towards upmarket Discovery and Range Rover models that were being built from the ground up.

This Land Rover

 Built as a 1995 model year vehicle in Solihull, England, as an export market model and delivered to Land Rover France SAS, where it was first registered on the 22nd of February 1996. The vehicle was last registered to its most current and 3rd owner in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, located in southeastern France near the Italian border, on the 19th of December 2003. The vehicle has averaged just over 6000 km each year while in regular use up until 2017, at which point it was put into storage and did not re-emerge until earlier this year. 

We are fortunate enough to have a very comprehensive digital history far to come for a vehicle which documents change of ownership and annual French technical inspections. Below is a summary of the inspection history which aids to substantiating its low mileage:

11/17/2017 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 131,845 km

11/18/2016 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 129.477 km

11/20/2015 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 127.124 km

11/21/2014 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 123,766 km

11/22/2013 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 121,239 km

11/23/2012 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 118,661 km

11/25/2011 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 116,258 km

11/29/2010 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 113,009 km

11/27/2009 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 110,928 km

11/12/2008 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 108,661km

11/30/2007 – – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 106,748 km

11/24/2006 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 103,524 km

02/12/2005 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 98,828 km

15/12/2004 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 93,584 km

08/12/2003 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 88.127km

03/12/2003 – Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 87,842km

12/21/2002- Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 74,020 km

12/20/2001- Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 61,865 km

12/26/2000- Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 45,235km

03/10/2000- Periodic Technical Visit- Favourable Pass at 36,186km

Upon our acquisition, the vehicle was found in remarkably original condition. I would love to say we have carried out an extensive array of work; however, it just wasn’t required. The Portofino Red paintwork is entirely factory original, with evidence of localized touch-ups in

place and a smart repair carried out on the front right wing. Overall, it’s a delight to see original paint that has held up this well, certainly something harder to find in today’s Defender market.

Cosmetically, we have refreshed the vehicle by replacing any broken exterior trim items and replacing exterior hardware with stainless steel items. Additionally, a new front bumper with TD5 end caps has been fitted for practicality.

The interior has seen much the same approach. Overall, it was in very good condition, with exceptionally well-preserved front door cards and rubber matting. However, some items were letting it down. All the seats have been re-trimmed in black vinyl, and a new rear door card and handle have been fitted. As is typically the case with Defenders, the headlining was sagging badly, and this has been retrimmed in Black Alcantara. Lastly, we’ve fitted a premium chubby cubby box, which significantly improves the ergonomics for the driver.

Mechanically, we’ve been through the vehicle, replacing a variety of ball joints, drop radius, and arm bushes. There was a fueling issue, which was rectified by replacing the left pump. We’re also taking the opportunity to rebuild all the brake calipers and replace discs and pads all around. Given the vehicle had been stored for some time and not regularly used, we have fitted a timing chain kit and serviced the engine, along with changing axle oils.

Structurally, the vehicle’s body and chassis were in surprisingly solid condition. As is often the case with Defenders of this age, there was surface corrosion that needed addressing. It’s critical to keep on top of cleaning a Defender chassis and sealing it regularly for longevity. With this one, we have sandblasted the entire chassis and painted it with a proxy primer, applying Dinitrol 4941 as an underbody topcoat protection.

The vehicle is completed with a new set of 5 Land Rover Genuine Boost wheels fitted with a matching set of Continental Cross Contact AT tyres in the size of 235/85/R16. This was the preferred tyre of choice by JLR for late Puma vehicles that were to roll off the production line.