By Jeff Glucker
It’s Friday, which means it’s time to live out a bit of fantasy. Las week, I explored the part of my brain that desperately wants a rather impractical kit car. Today, I’m going a bit more practical… but only just so. This week I’m entertaining the lovely notion of a 1984 Land Rover Defender 90 Tdi.
The color is … different, but it works here just fine. The truly appealing bits are in regards to the fact that we’re dealing with a RHD, diesel-powered import.
There are quiet a handful of Defender 90 and 110 examples floating out there for sale on the Webs. Most, however, are priced in excess of $50,000 and $60,000. That’s serious coin for a tractor. This specific find though, is priced exceptionally well at just $26,000.
A Land Rover Defender remains painfully high on my must-own list. Seeing a version like this swings equally painfully close to the Oh-God-Go-Buy-It price range. No, I don’t have $30,000 to blow on a vehicle… but I’m not too far away, either.
The Defender sits in the excellent world of classically cool off-road luxury toy. You might not get it as dirty as you used to, but even just running down to get some coffee in the morning puts a smile on your face. The engine takes a second to settle into a solid idle, the gearbox is a bit cranky with the cold air, but once it’s rolling, it all comes together… and you’re happy.
Other vehicles in this space include older Mercedes G-wagens, original Ford Broncos, and the Toyota FJ40. I’d take anyone of them, and look forward to those morning coffee runs every time.
So that is my Fantasy Find for Friday… show me yours.
[Source: Craigslist]