For Sale: 1997 Land Rover Defender in Lavergne, Tennessee

If you're supposed to go on safari tomorrow, but forgot to pick up a vehicle, this 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 has you covered. Not only is it worthy of its go-anywhere lineage, but it has all the right off-road upgrades. And you can enjoy the best of this tough 4x4 in complete air-conditioned comfort.


The Land Rover is often the first to reach the developing countries. And that's because no other 4x4 can reach the remote places that that these tough machines can. And the Defender 90 is clearly part of that series. This one looks ready to take on the toughest terrain with the exterior roll cage, steel plated fenders, and tubular side steps. Even in the deepest wilderness, lighting will ever be a problem thanks to four massive Hella mounted on the top rack, and even a large spotlight out the rear door. There's even a Warn winch on the front, but we bet that's more for getting other people out of trouble. But even with all this 4x4 prowess, you can tell it's still a premium Land Rover, and that's apparent on places like the full set of 16-inch alloys that were shared with the Range Rover of the time.


The Defender 90 might have a timeless appeal, but because it has been the most recent chapter in this globetrotting book, you get the traditional robustness with some of the best upgrades. And you can really see that inside. Leather bucket seats, a comfortable center console, an AM/FM/CD stereo with aux input, and a sunroof offer some nice creature comforts. You even have ice-cold modern R134a air conditioning to make sure you never break a sweat even when in the backwoods. But don't thinks this Land Rover has gone soft. The interior has been Rhino lined for toughness, the roll cage continues inside, and there is even a locking Job Box mounted across from the rear jump seats.


1997 was the final year for the U.S-spec Defender 90, and they saved the best for last. It was outfitted with the 4.0-liter V8 motor. This original fuel-injected powerplant is a strong runner that was born in the USA and honed for generations at Land Rover. And because it has been around for decades, parts accessibility is as globally available as this 4x4. This motor looks like it has been well maintained, so it's ready for its next adventure. Plus, the high ground clearance, the two-speed transfer case, and Toyo Open Country tires makes sure that you can keep going even when the trail ends. But there's more to this Defender. The later U.S. vehicles also received a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Add in the power steering and four-wheel disc brakes, and this one reminds you that go-anywhere also means being easy to drive down Main Street.


Complete with owner's manual, this is the legendary 4x4 that has all the right moves to back up its tough appearance. So if you want to go everywhere and look great doing it, call today!