The need for speed

This hard top ex-military Defender 90 underwent a night-and-day transformation from being a tired workhorse into a sleek modern powerhouse. With a racing-inspired vision in mind, the car was upgraded with a new GM LS3 6.2L V8 good for 450 hp mated to a 5-speed NV4500 manual gearbox. To accommodate the muscle-car power, the transfer case was upgraded to a sleeved casing with heavy duty internals, including torque biasing center differential as well as limited slip diff differentials, heavy duty half shafts, heavy duty suspension and sway bars and Wilwood disc brake upgrade with six calipers front and four rear to provide for improved stopping performance.

The foundation of the car was made to last by having the chassis and components throughout hot dip galvanized. The exhaust system was custom built with selected muffler to allow for an increasable soundtrack; the sound off the start line is a deep rumbly roar and the crackling and pop when you lift off is simply something else.

Sharp enhancements

Finished in glossy Quantum Gray, black and silver accents offset the gray to make for an aggressive and strong presence. The Defender received a couple of tweaks externally to further sharpening the look, including Heritage grille and lamp bezels, ebony black side runners, lower body diamond plating, Puma hood, and rear NAS bumper step. Tack sharp looks hint at the power of this unique Defender. The front doors were kept as the original military style with sliding windows.

On the inside, the front seats were changed to genuine early-1980s Porsche 911 Carrera bucket seats front and four foldable jump seats rear. The upholstery build on the Porsche heritage with a 1980s period correct Porsche Pasha blue on silver pattern, accented with blue leather dash board and trim throughout. The floor is covered in German square weave carpet with walls and roof in charcoal suede. The steering wheel is a Momo Indy wood rim steering wheel, accompanied by billet aluminum stalk tips, center console with a Sony Apple Car Play ready entertainment center.

Some of the highlights include:

  • GM LS3 6.2L V8 new crate engine

  • NV4500 5-speed manual gearbox

  • Sleeved LT230 transfer case with torque biasing center diff

  • Limited slip differential

  • Heavy duty half shafts

  • Wilwood big brake disc upgrade with 6-pot calipers front and 4-pot rear

  • Power steering

  • Custom fabricated exhaust system

  • Galvanized chassis

  • NAS style rear bumper step

  • Galvanized steering guard

  • Galvanized front bumper

  • Galvanized front bumper tow hooks

  • Billet aluminum stalk tips

  • Custom Legacy Overland red face gauges

  • Center console with Carling switches

  • Sony double DIN media receiver with Apple Car Play

  • Six speakers including two tweeters on dash two under dash mounted speakers and two rear mounted speakers

  • USB charger with red rim

  • Momo Heritage Indy wood steering wheel

  • German square weave carpet with blue edge trim

  • Interior upholstered in Porsche Pasha fabric and blue leather

  • 1980s Porsche 911 Carrera bucket seats

  • Center cubby box

  • Rear foldable jump seats with lap belts

  • Walls and roof upholstered in charcoal alcantara type material

  • Bulkhead removal bar

  • Military style front doors with sliding windows

  • Sun roof

  • Rear spare wheel mount on door

  • Seat heat warmers

  • Heated front windshield

  • Heated rear window

  • Puma fiberglass hood

  • Custom installed air conditioning system (hot and cold)

  • LED head lamps

  • Clear round LED lamps front and rear

  • Rear LED utility work lamp

  • 16x8” modular steel wheels

  • BF Goodrich All/Terrain 285/75r16 tires

  • Wheel eyebrows painted in the car color

  • Rear back up camera connected to media unit


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