Description
15th Feb, 2025 11:00
The February 2025 Auction
1991 Land Rover Defender 90 2. 5 TDi
Galvanised chassis and lots of mechanical upgrades
Estimate
£9, 000 - £11, 000
Buyer's premium: 15. 00%
Lot details
Registration: J649CTU
Chassis: SALLDVAF7HA905031
Odometer: 78, 600 * See Text*
Transmission: Manual
MOT: December 2025
Galvanised chassis
Remap to 200 bhp
AP Racing brake upgrade
Twisted 18” wheels
Stainless steel exhaust
Bilstein B6 shocks and springs
The Land Rover Defender has a storied history that began in 1948 with the launch of the original Land Rover Series I, a rugged, utilitarian vehicle inspired by the Willys Jeep. Designed for agricultural and off-road use, it quickly became synonymous with durability and versatility. By the 1980s, the vehicle evolved into the Land Rover 90 and 110 models, named for their respective wheelbase lengths. In 1990, these models were rebranded as the Defender, solidifying its identity as a go-anywhere workhorse. Over the decades, the Defender gained legendary status for its use in expeditions, military operations, and rural industries worldwide. Production of the original Defender ceased in 2016 but it remains an icon of British engineering and off-road capability.
We are delighted to offer this 1991 Land Rover Defender 90 in Santorini Black metallic with black / grey interior. First registered in August 1991 and originally blue, the car had a massive upgrade / restoration around 10-15 years ago. The MOT history suggests that the Defender had come off the road some time around 2006 / 2007 with c. 105, 000 miles showing and then wasn’t MOT’d again until late 2012 when it was showing 45, 000 miles. Whilst we can’t confirm, this suggests a speedo change around the time it was refreshed and that the real mileage is probably around 139, 000 miles - still a pretty moderate mileage for a Defender. The following spec list has been kindly supplied by our vendor:-
“200 BHP / 516Nm Torque
Galvanised Chassis
Completely rebuilt, using the criteria of a J Reg Land Rover Defender and enhanced by previous owner / myself
Details of vehicle:
Santorini Black Metallic (full body respray in summer 2020)
Masai Panoramic Glass to both rear sides and back door sides with Limo Black (Factory) Privacy finish
Full LED Lighting Package to the whole vehicle including High Level Rear Brake Light
LED Daylight running lights in front bumper
KBX Aircon Front Grill, KBX Light Surrounds, KBX Air Intake Grills to Bonnet & Side Vents
Black Chequer Plate to wing tops / Door Sills / Rear Quarter Panels
Twisted 18 Inch Sport Alloy Wheels Powder Coated Satin Black (Five alloys total) - powder coated in summer 2020
All metal trims were blasted and powder coated in summer 2020
New door skins in summer 2020
BF Goodrich All Terrain 285 / 65 / 18 Tyres to each alloy wheel
Red AP Racing Brake Kit (6 Piston Callipers with 350 mm vented & grooved discs)
2005 TDS Engine
HYBRID Turbo
Ceramic Coated Manifold
Upgraded Large Intercooler
Stainless Steel 'Straight Through' Exhaust
Rolling Road Remap delivering - 200 BHP / 516Nm Torque Immobiliser fitted
New wing screen wiper motors fitted
K & N Air Filter / Housing Samco Silicone Hoses
New wheel hub to front right wheel
Red Booster Clutch Servo (makes the clutch softer)
AIX - Fully Soundproofed
MOMO Millenium Steering Wheel with additional Quick-Release-Boss
Bilstein B6 Shockers & Springs
Poly Bushed
Cobra Daytona Sport Driver & Passenger Seats
Under Steering Guard
NAS Side Steps, NAS Rear Step
Mantec Fold Away Spare Wheel Carrier
Rear Bench Seats with seat belts (Carries four people in the rear)
Pioneer Upgraded sound system - Very good quality - 180 Watts per channel (Four Speakers) - Bluetooth, USB ETC”
It’s also comforting to see that it had its security upgraded in 2019 to a Scorpion Cat 2 transponder immobiliser - always a good idea with such a desirable vehicle.
There’s no doubt that this Defender looks the part. The aesthetic very much follows the expensive “urban” Land Rover conversions by the likes of Twisted. The 90 is a chunky little thing as standard and the big alloys, serious-looking BF Goodrich tyres and suspension upgrade give it a great stance, which is sure to draw admiring glances around the city. Inside there are still a few finishing touches to be tackled, most obviously the roof needs lining and it needs carpeting. The rear seats / seatbelts also need fitting but do come with the car.
The car comes with V5C, a bundle of invoices, a collection of old MOTs, part of an old V5C and two sets of keys. There are also a set of mud flaps to be fitted.
A true motoring icon, the Defender comes in a multitude of different flavours running the full spectrum from the classic heritage look to this modern “urbanised” example. No way of doing things is right or wrong, just a matter of personal taste. We think this Defender looks fabulous and with a myriad of mechanical upgrades it should go faster, stop quicker and handle better than a more standard example. It needs a little finishing but these are relatively small jobs that the new owner could easily do before the start of this year’s show season. Definitely a car to turn some heads!
