Hard top for Defender soft top?

[Tophatron]

Hi,

I'm on the lookout for a Defender, and one has popped up that seems really good price wise, but it's a (I think factory) soft top. Is there a hard top available or any similar option?

Also, does anyone know if the towing capacity is the same for the hard and soft tops? It's a 2007 year car if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

[anonymous-user]

The hardtop on a Defender is made up of side panels, a roof, and a rear door.
These can be found on ebay quite a lot either as individual panels or a complete item ready to bolt on.
Think you might need a revised windscreen surround to accept to the roof panel too.
Other option is to keep a very, very keen eye out for a used Wolf 90 GRP all-in-one hardtop but these are beyond rare on the used market, as there were never that many to start with.
Towing caps are the same for hard or soft top variants.

[phib]

Tophatron said:

Hi,

I'm on the lookout for a Defender, and one has popped up that seems really good price wise, but it's a (I think factory) soft top. Is there a hard top available or any similar option?

Also, does anyone know if the towing capacity is the same for the hard and soft tops? It's a 2007 year car if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

Is it metallic green with a roll cage ? If it's not then its probably not a factory one

Phib

[Tophatron]

phib said:

Is it metallic green with a roll cage ? If it's not then its probably not a factory one

Phib

The £17k one that's on Autotrader? It's not that one if so.

[phib]

Actually there were two original soft tops one was post 2007

The 90 svx

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...

And one was pre 90 sv ( green one)

http://www.defender90sv.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?...

Hope that helps a little, have you got a photo of the one your looking at ?

Phib

[Tophatron]

Cheers for the reply. I spoke to LR customer services and they confirmed it's a factory soft top.

Here's a pic:

[CAPP0]

All Defenders are soft tops, it's just that some have a hard top bolted on

[phib]

Thats a really interesting one !!

Its odd (in an interesting way !!) looks like an exmoor trim roof, then there is the fact its a new ish colour with none painted wheel arches ( very odd !!) and interesting light guards

I can only think its a special order or a factory trial car (I have a range rover whicch was a factory car which again is a good thing)

Be great to hear more about it if you buy it, could be an interesting story

Good luck

Phib

[Tophatron]

phib said:

Thats a really interesting one !!

Its odd (in an interesting way !!) looks like an exmoor trim roof, then there is the fact its a new ish colour with none painted wheel arches ( very odd !!) and interesting light guards

I can only think its a special order or a factory trial car (I have a range rover whicch was a factory car which again is a good thing)

Be great to hear more about it if you buy it, could be an interesting story

Good luck

Phib

Cheers. It's actually in Cyprus and according to LR a Cypriot market car. I don't know too much else apart from that it's a 2006 MY TD5, low mileage and is totally mint underneath (thank you Mediterranean weather).

Anything it would be good to ask/check out that would reveal any clues to it's origin?

[phib]

Ah ... The Cyprus connection, so it's either a knock down kit (ckd) or a special order vehicle.

Now from very vague memory there is another one if these for sale in limassol was about 17k euro from memory.

Will be in cyprus very soon as we have family there

Are you getting a chance to drive / inspect it ? If so look for rust in bottom of bulkhead ( even if it's dry) check for oil in the wiring loom.

I am sure the td5 guys will be along soon to help more

Phib

[Bobhon]

Soft top even with a black hood was a standard line built spec for Cyprus. Not a special as far as I know.
If it went through the Special Vehicles workshop then it will have a commission plate riveted onto the seat base or the bonnet slam panel.

Bob