By Christopher Tracy
I know in my bones that I’m a Toyota guy. There’s something about my Midwest roots where I’m going to make a reliable, practical choice. But there will forever be something about the shape of a Land Rover Defender 110. Expedition Portal has this particular model listed for sale.
This 5 door County Station Wagon originally lived in France and then with a German couple was converted for overland travel and had a Dormobile conversion added in the UK. After touring Europe it was sold to an importer in the U.S.
Engine Swap
The original 2.5 diesel engine was swapped out for a 300Tdi. The seller says that you will see 22 mpg and the larger tanks give it a range of 600+ miles. The engine has 38,000 miles on it since the swap.
Interior
The German couple added maple wood cabinets with plenty of storage. There is also a secret compartment that if we showed you now wouldn’t make it secret. there is an electric fridge/freezer that can be converted to the full freezer if needed. A diesel stove and heater use a separate 2.6-gallon diesel tank are also installed but haven’t been used yet.
The Dormobile deploys in seconds. It creates nine feet of standing room and the sleeping area features twin bunks that can accommodate a person up to 6’4″ & 250 lbs. I’d fit.
This truck also has an aftermarket air conditioning system from Rovers North. There’s also a Momo steering wheel. Scheel-mann seats are there too. I’ve never sat in one, but they seem to be the seat of choice for those that can afford them.
Exterior
The Defender was revitalized when it was imported in the U.S. There is a solar panel located on top of the lockable and removable aluminum storage box on top. It even has a winch.
I’ve never driven a 110 and from what I have heard they don’t drive like they look. But golly, they look fantastic. when I get some extra space, I might need to pick up a project Defender just to ogle. Maybe even go test drive the new Defender.
Jeff Glucker
There are a lot of things prettier than a Defender 110. Wildflowers, Abyssinian cats, the Horsehaed Nebula…
But closer to home, the Land Rover 109. (Which, thank you for reminding me first thing Monday morning that I had to sell mine for rent money before I got to really enjoy it.)
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I always liked the recessed grille on those. My former boss kept an old pickup version like that (in same color) at his home in South Africa.
Yes, “pretty’ and “Land Rover” don’t belong in the same sentence.
Both these vehicles remind me of a 70/80s LR I saw years ago that was very similar in concept to these, it had been owned for 20+ years and was immaculate, and the owner was finally going to the dark side and buying a Toyota 70 series Troopie.
That is indeed a sweet build. Old Defenders always turn my head, but I think I’m partial to the Toyota FJ55, and I’m not even a “Toyota guy”.
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The “Iron Pig” as they are affectionately known.
The maple wood cabinets look like badly applied veneer?
As an automobile cubist, I understand the aesthetic appeal of the Landrover. But before falling for a tipsy-turvy offroader, I would prefer any of these comfy roadrunners first:
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Have your Volvo and play in the Defender’s sandbox.
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I gotta tell you, I sincerely like this.
I think it is just lifting lacquer/varnish. Most likely maple faced ply.
I had a Discovery, and I think it ruined me for all Land Rovers. Objectively it wasn’t a bad car, other than the perpetual oil leaks despite the sub 100,000 mile engine. But it was just… there. I couldn’t get excited about it. The longer it’s been since I’ve had it the more I’ve come to despise it.
I know that the Defender is not a Discovery. But I have a hard time keeping that attitude from boiling over. I would definitely consider an old Series, but I don’t see myself ever buying a Defender.