1998 Land Rover Defender 90
Specification
In Short
The Land Rover Defender
The Defender that we know and love was effectively introduced in 1983, though the actual Defender name was introduced later on in 1991, when the Discovery was launched. The 110 was introduced first in 1983, with the 90 following a year later. Its history can be traced back to 1948 when the Series 1 was introduced. It took over from the Series 3 with multiple vast improvements, delivering a significantly more capable and refined vehicle. The Defender has been produced in a variety of body styles and sizes, and has become one of the most popular and iconic off-road vehicles in history. It was highly successful from the start and went on to become one of the most iconic and beloved 4x4 vehicles of all time.
Over the years the Defender evolved, though it maintained its core identity, introducing uprated brakes, improved engine and gearbox options, and refreshed interior features. It has been used by military, public, and private entities across the globe, and is famous for its durability, ruggedness, and capability in extreme off-road conditions. In 1993 Land Rover decided it was time to take the Defender to the US after the success of the Range Rover since 1987, they felt it could offer a more upmarket alternative to the popular Jeep Wrangler targeting adventurous buyers. It was eventually discontinued globally in 2016 after 33 years in production, and it’s claimed that more 75% of the Defender’s ever produced are still in action around the world.
This Land Rover
Built on the 8th of January 1998 in Solihull, England as an export model, destined for Land Rover France. This final year of production Land Rover Defender 90 300Tdi was ordered and purchased by Monsieur Astruc Alain on the 30th of March 1998. Finished in Caledonian Blue, this stunning Defender has covered just 26,000 km or around 16,150 miles from new. M. Alain would keep the Defender at his holiday home near Toulouse in the South of France, using it every single year, gently building the mileage. He kept the Defender until earlier this year, when it came to us via a French dealer, selling it after more than 25 years of ownership.
This is a true reference or survivor vehicle that has been consistently and religiously maintained throughout its life. This ‘6-point’ matching numbers vehicle (Chassis, Engine, Gearbox, Transfer Case, Front & Rear Axles) is a true collector-grade quality Defender.
As we often say, super low mileage vehicles aren’t always the preferred option, as much like any mechanical item it is important that bearings are regularly rotated, bushes move, and oil and fluids regularly flow to keep the vehicle in optimum condition. However, much like our previous super-low mileage Green Defender 90, another reference vehicle, this Defender has led the most perfect life. It has always been garaged when not in use and gently exercised every single year of its life.
To say this is probably one of the finest condition and best preserved 300Tdi Defender’s is probably an understatement. The vehicle has original paint throughout, which is in incredible condition. Being stored indoors when not in use, has ensured there has been limited exposure to the Southern French sun throughout its life. At some point early in its life, it was fitted with heavy duty side steps. This has ensured that the delicate aluminium panels remain perfectly straight and have not suffered from the usual dings and dents.
The interior of the vehicle is much like you would expect. There is minimal wear inside, with the only signs of any real use being on the original Land Rover floor mats, and the back of the seat bulkhead. The front seats have been retrimmed in Denim Twill Vinyl and a cubby box fitted in between. The paint on the floors is immaculate, with all the original plated hardware still in place. A new pair of NOS Land Rover overmat have been fitted to preserve the original mats underneath. No seating was ever fitted in the back, but we have installed a pair of matching 2-person benches which are fitted over the original Land Rover mat. The paintwork underneath the mat is in immaculate condition with no dents suggesting the Defender had a very comfortable life. A modern Blaupunkt bluetooth stereo has been fitted and interestingly had custom speaker panels made up beside the seats, rather than drilling holes in the immaculate dashboard. Something we’re now very grateful for!
The engine bay, unsurprisingly, is like opening the bonnet of a brand new Defender from 25 years ago! This car has been properly maintained throughout his life, so naturally some components have been replaced. However, the condition is phenomenal, with all the original plating still gleaming, the paint markers still visible and all the original stickers still in place. The Defender has loads of power, the gearbox is wonderfully tight, and it drives beautifully, which I guess you’d expect having barely been run-in…
The Defender sits on a set of Wolf Wheels colour coded in Caledonian Blue to match the body. A set of Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tyres are fitted, which are our favourite Mud Terrain tyre and one that Land Rover themselves fitted to late Defenders. A set of Stainless Steel wheel nuts are fitted and contrast well against the blue wheels. The vehicle came on its original Rostyle Steel wheels, which are in original Alpine White paint matching the roof. Another testament to its use and condition, is the fact that it still had its original tires with minimal wear and no cracking. These are date stamped 497, or in layman’s terms, early December 1997! These are available with the car if the next owner wishes to keep them.
The Defender was Undersealed very early in its life, which has kept the chassis and underbody in incredible condition. You can even still see where the chassis sticker once was! The vehicle still has its original ‘Land Rover’ stamped shock absorbers and steering damper, though we’ve removed the steering damper to fit a stronger Bilstein Damper which pairs well with the larger tyres. The original damper will come with the vehicle. It has its original stamped exhaust and a Land Rover towing hitch complete with two hitches. A set of Heavy Duty steering rods have been fitted.
In the past 12 months, the vehicle has been completely serviced throughout including all fluids, and it received a new Cambelt/Timing Belt. Since we took ownership of it, we have covered just shy of 900km or around 600 miles. It has a perfect annual inspection history, or Contrôle Technique, showing the mileage gently climbing throughout its life. The Defender has its original order form, and still carries the original spare wheel cover and rear sticker from the supplying dealer, Sterling Automobiles in Toulouse (which can easily be removed). It has its two sets of original numbered keys.
If you’ve got this far, you probably now realise how rare and exceptional this Defender is! It is without doubt the holy grail of all Defender 90 Tdi’s, from single ownership, exceptionally low mileage and original paint.
