Now, I must confess that an Alpine White Defender with decals down the side is probably my favourite Defender specification. It’s probably as they first captured my interest when seeing photos plastered across the pages of National Geographic of an Alpine White Defender crossing vast expanses of Africa, or the jungles of South America. They were always white as the majority of vehicles lacked air conditioning and the light colour kept the vehicles coolest in the blazing sun. Back in the 80s’ and 90’s it was the vehicle that had a reputation across the world, for not only getting you out into extreme environments, but also getting you home.
The story of this vehicle is much like all the others at Pangaea. We identified a very original car which, for the vast majority of its life, had been under one ownership. So naturally, we packed our bags and after a very early flight we found ourselves in Florence, Italy.
Finished in iconic Alpine White, this Defender was first registered on the 5th of April 1995. The first owner kept the car for less than a year, before it passed to its previous owner who had owned it as his only car until he sold it to us earlier this year, keeping it for over 26 years.
This Land Rover has been kept beautifully original through care and attention. In its early life the rear benches were removed and the back was meticulously fitted with layers of sound deadening and a vinyl cover which has kept the inside very well protected and preserved. The vehicle lived undercover which kept it out of the worst of the weather and of course the Tuscan summer sun. Like most vehicles from Tuscany, the absence of rain and cold winters have been very kind to this Defender. The bodywork is very straight and the paintwork, which is mostly original, is in wonderful condition. It still has the original Defender side graphics which present very well.
The chassis is wonderfully original having never needed repairs and still with zero corrosion. It has now benefitted from a repaint in Satin Black and looks like it has just left the factory. At the same time, the axles were repainted and the suspension refreshed with new factory springs, Bilstein shock absorbers and poly bushes fitted.
The front brake discs and pads have been replaced and new braided brake lines have been fitted. The previous owner recently replaced the rear discs and pads, so we have left these in place. All the wheel bearings were removed, inspected for wear, cleaned and re-greased with new oil seals fitted. As well as this, heavy duty steering rods with new track rod ends and a Bilstein steering damper have also been fitted. As is often the case on pre-2002 Defenders, which are renowned for the inherently weak rear doors, a crack was found in the frame. We decided to fit a new stronger door which was colour matched to the original paint. The rear door hinges were rebuilt whilst retaining the nice patina they gained over the past 28 years. The original Land Rover exhaust has been refinished in Silver ceramic paint, ensuring it will look fresh for years to come.
The Defender retains its original plastic headlight surrounds, Britax side mirrors and front grill, which are made of far superior materials to the modern replacements. It still has its original Wipac Quadopic headlights fitted. At the rear of the car, the rectangular fog and reverse lights have been replaced with the sealed and higher performance, later-style round lights. At the sides, minimalist rock sliders finished in Satin Black have been fitted in place of the side sills, to tie the look of the Defender together. A fold down rear step had also been fitted to make accessing the back much easier. The front door hinges have been replaced with the stronger, later style, which again have been colour matched to the original paint.
A new set of Wolf Wheels have been fitted, finished in gloss black and combined with a new set of Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tyres in the size 238/85R16. These are our preferred Mud Terrain tyre and one that Land Rover fitted to Defender in the latter stages of production. To complete the look stainless steel wheel nuts have been fitted. The spare wheel is fitted to a swing away wheel carrier which takes the weight off the door, and onto the chassis and body, something that’s rather essential with the heavier Wolf wheels.
Inside, the front seats, central cubby box and rear two person bench seats have all been retrimmed in Black leather. An Exmoor Trim heavy-duty matting system has been fitted in the front which, and along with the sound deadening fitted under the floor panels, greatly reduces the sound level whilst driving. In the back, a genuine Land Rover mat is fitted. The headlining has been reupholstered in Light Grey Alcantara, whilst the side panels are in a Darker Grey, echoing the original two-tone colour palette but with the enhanced alcantara finish. Sound deadening has been applied to the roof and sides, with an additional layer of closed cell foam on the roof to reduce the sound level inside whilst driving. A later leather bound Land Rover steering wheel has been fitted. This adds a much needed touch of comfort for longer journeys and city manoeuvring.
This matching-numbers Defender is the perfect blend of originality and sympathetic restoration. Having started with a very well maintained and cared for vehicle, it is now refreshed and ready for the next chapter of its life.
Located in the UK, and EU registered
