By Kamil Kaluski
Seems like everyone wants a Land Rover Defender these days, despite that fact that the excellent Wrangler can be had brand new for less money. This goes further for the 110 Defender, of which less than a thousand were sold in the U.S. Asking prices for a mint U.S.-spec D110 can be higher than $200,000 which is just insane in my opinion. Once in a while, however, a hot Craigs List deal can be found even on a Defender 110.
From the ad:
1993 Defender 110 NAS number 229/500 BURNED $18,000 – $18000 (fairfield / vacaville)
This is a real 1993 Land Rover Defender 110″ 5-door, it is a real one of 500 that were imported that year, its number is 229/500. Land Rover only imported 500 of these Defender 110″ and there will never be any more. It suffered an engine fire and is being sold to someone that wants to rebuild it. If you check around you will find that a newly rebuilt from a salvage title 1993 Defender NAS one of five hundred often sell for over 150,000. Sold as-is with a California Salvage Title, which can be rebuilt, Please email with any questions. This defender is located in Montana, but it can be delivered to the Bay Area for $975.
Jeff Glucker 
William Byrd
I'll assume the seller intended to put in 18,000 Rubles but couldn't find the "Rubles" key and put in "$" instead. This is a pretty good example of Rare, Not Collectible (RNC) Syndrome.
This is quite possibly the craziest ad I have seen…eh…this year. Shouldn't it be possible to import more 110's legally soon?
Aaaaah, incinerated exotica. Puts me in mind of the Ferrari I almost bought for a thousand bucks.
Ashes to ashes.
Dust to dust.
If you had an extinguisher,
You might still be with us.
Looks like a good way to make an illegal one legal. I think you could get it shipped for $2 though. The VIN tag and title can ship via first class mail.
I knew Defender 90 prices in the USA were ridiculous. I didn't know that 110 prices were insane.
What's the price of crusher- prone gray (black) market euro- Defenders nowadays? If legal US versions are $150-200k then maybe 80k? Makes sense to spend, say, 15k to get your SUV legalized, it's probably possible in some states at least, based on V.I.S.I.T. series.
PS. frame could be salvageable, but new one costs only 4k: http://www.roversnorth.com/Land-Rover-Parts/171
That was one heck of an "engine fire". As a hoon of course I have had a couple myself, but they just resulted in a burned wiring harness, ignition wires, fuel line and a severly scorched hood. I would call this more of a it costs what to get it running, "insurance fire".
I guess it might start a subgenre of the rat rod movement: The dragon rod.
The 110 I saw catch on fire started with black smoke, then the entire engine compartment was engulfed in flames over six feet high. As I passed the 110 on the side of the road, the whole truck was en fuego.
I know it's being sold in Montana, but I think I actually saw this Defender 110 catch fire on 580 near the 680 interchange near Dublin, California, a few years ago. You don't forget a 110 on fire during your commute.
It's wearing California plates, so it's possible. I carry a five-pound extinguisher in my truck, but engine fires are a hassle, since you have to figure out how to get the hood up *while it's on fire*.
I'm recalling more. There was no one around when it was on fire. I guess it broke down, the owner walked away to get help, and the fire started on its own.
Who said aluminium doesn't rust? You just have to add temperature.
"Ran when parked"?
You can buy clean ones in Brazil for that money (Diesel powered)
<img src="http://mlb-s2-p.mlstatic.com/land-rover-defender-110-tdi-4×4-2001-16104-MLB20115887059_062014-F.jpg" width="600"> http://carro.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-614848492-la…
One of the Defenders for sale here is one of the Australian Army Perentie six wheeler. It's RHD but with 3.9 Isuzu diesel power perhaps there would be a market in the USA .These originally cost the Aussies $250 000. The same thinking gave us the Mercedes G-Wagen 6X6. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/land-ro…
<img src="http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/312200204.jpg" width="600">
With some parts shuffling and a toolset you could make this.
<img src="http://foleysv.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/6×6/p7110114.jpg" width="600">
And even keep the camouflage, though this one is Malaysian Jungle, not Gulf War Iraqi Desert.
<img src="http://www.roverparts.com/CommonImages/Image/Land_Rover_Defender_6X4_1.jpg"width="600">
Or for an even cheaper price there's this with a Nissan 4.2 repower. Engine parts off your IH dealer? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/land-ro…
<img src="http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/345346155.jpg" width="600">
Or you could buy near new, and with a pick-up tray. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/land-ro…
<img src="http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/352054396.jpg" width="600">
I never knew that I needed a 6×6 Defender.
Knowing how many hoops people jump through to build complying examples, $18,000 for a VIN and frame isn't inconceivable. Insane, perhaps, but not inconceivable.