1988 Land Rover Defender 90
Every now and again, auto manufacturers-especially small-volume, boutique-type outfits making fewer than 325 units annually-bring to market significantly updated recreations of vehicles that were popular at some point in their history. The throwback rides retain their predecessors' physical traits through simple revival or replacement of sheet metal on original frames, or, in the case of the Land Rover Defenders, (90, 110 and 130), produced by Osprey Custom Cars of Wilmington, North Carolina, with all-new hardware from the bottom to the top. While the company does restore heretic Land Rovers, ground-up builds start with a brand-new, OEM-spec, hot-dip galvanized chassis that's made from 2.5mm mild-steel rails and 3mm S355 carbon-steel front, rear, and A-frame crossmembers. Then Osprey replicates, (near-exactly), the 1980's-1990's era Land Rover Defenders using new body parts throughout.
For consignment, a left hand drive Osprey built, 19,423 mile Land Rover Defender 90 which has undergone a full blown restoration and is now a fine tough vehicle for off roading anywhere, (literally), or just taking the kids to soccer practice, albeit quickly. It has become the ultimate status symbol for the soccer mom set to show up in a Rover, and this one is definitely an attention getter, and has built in reliability with the upgrades I've yet to tell you about...
Due to varying emissions control devices being removed, please check with your state, county, local or provincial motor vehicle department to verify the ability to legally register this vehicle in your area***
Exterior
All new Graphite Metallic paint now covers excellently minded gaps and straight steel/aluminum which is all new including the doors, bonnet and fenders. All this bodywork is squared off and has black accenting throughout. The 2 door version of the model, it sports tinted glass, and a glossy black painted roof with curved viewing glass allowing you to view the urban jungle but also photograph wildlife on the Serengeti Plains. LED lights occupy the flat noted fronted nose and are flanked on the sides by stacked LED signal/fog lamps. A black tough bumper adorns the front of this rig and supports a charcoal gray plastic surround that wraps around the heavy duty Warn winch that fronts the classic blacked out honeycomb grille. Resting between the diamond plated and louvered fender tops is a bulged hood that leads back to the ever so slightly rearward raked windshield. Gloss black flares are gracing the wheel arches front and rear and complimenting matte black tubular step bars and diamond plate rocker molding add to the tough allure. 18-inch black multi-spoke wheels are wrapped in 275/65R18 Cooper Discoverer AT3 all weather tires that also can dig through mud and sand, as well as water. Bringing up the tail end is a matching spare tire that is flanked on either side but multiple smoked LED lights including the tail lights. The spare is mounted to a swing away bracket allowing access to the rear man door with a black tubular step bumper below. I hear the call of the wild in someone's future..
Interior
Black leather with triangular and diamond stitched inserts in white thread and smooth black bolster buckets are in the front row and in between a short console races forward to meet the dash. A modern PCS GSM push button electronic shift selector resides here along with stainless steel cup holders and the transfer case shifter. The second row per say are jump seats lining either side of the rear area, sans headrests but in the same pattern. Under these seats are twin fingerprint actuated gun/rifle safes to safely store your valuables. Tough rubber mats cover the clean black carpeted floors, and the door panels have the niceties of utilitarianism in black molded plastic which will wipe any smudges right off. For the dash a Kenwood touch screen AM/FM radio is now installed and has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capabilities as well as XM radio, Navigation, and Bluetooth capabilities. Also, the controls for the heater/ac, power windows and seat heaters are noted here. Fronting the driver is an upgraded factory style dash with retro-modern analog/digital gauges and a leather wrapped Momo steering wheel. Noted is a nice dark charcoal suede headliner is installed.
Drivetrain
A lift of the hood and the hits keep coming in the form of a Corvette 6.2 Liter LS3 V8 capable of making 435hp. This mill is fed its fossils via EFI and the air comes in courtesy of a K&N air filter. Bolted to the back is a 6L80E 6-speed automatic transmission with new cooler lines and a LT280 transfer case to send power to the 3.54 geared front and rear differentials. All in clean condition and our consignor notes that an aluminum radiator and twin electric cooling fans are on. Keeping things heavy duty are Cardan driveshafts both front and rear along with heavy duty CV joints.
Undercarriage
A perfect fit for our lift even with the high stance, and underneath we find clean rust free metal structurally sound floor pans and rockers, and plenty of heavy duty suspension parts, which make up a radius arm/coil sprung front suspension, and a 4 link with coil spring arrangement for the back. Power disc brakes are on all corners and Hooker headers feed down to a single exhaust with a Cherrybomb muffler sans catalytic converter.
Drive-Ability
All worked very nicely, with the new A/C, high tech sound system, navigation, big screen display, and snappy seating. Plenty of room for passengers and their cargo. A good cruiser, and thanks to the Corvette powerplant it can also be used as a boulevard bruiser and excellent climber.
Grab your groover and head into the wilds of the country, 'cause this truck can definitely handle it. A nice restoration with some extras, beautiful paint, and big wheels, a soccer mom never looked so cool. Big mountains with rough trails and water everywhere...you got this covered!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
