2012 LAND ROVER DEFENDER

2012 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Tech – Nene Overland Corvette LS3 6.2 V8 Automatic

One registered keeper from new | 48,500 miles | £64,737 in documented Nene Overland work | £80,000 agreed insurance value

A rather special and exceptionally unusual Defender 90 X-Tech Hard Top, which I have owned from new since September 2012.

Originally supplied by Pentland Land Rover in Edinburgh on 18 September 2012, the Defender is finished in metallic Orkney Grey with contrasting black X-Tech detailing and original dark interior upholstery.

In 2018, I commissioned Land Rover specialists Nene Overland to undertake an extensive conversion, replacing the original 2.2-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox with a Chevrolet Corvette LS3 6.2-litre V8 and automatic transmission.

The project commenced in July 2018 and was completed in late November 2018, at approximately 32,000 miles. The original conversion and refurbishment cost £56,768.74, with subsequent work by Nene bringing the total documented expenditure to£64,737.15.

The Defender has now covered approximately 16,500 miles with the V8 drivetrain.

Despite the substantial mechanical transformation, I've deliberately retained the original X-Tech exterior appearance, including the factory bonnet, grille, contrasting black roof, wheel arches and Sawtooth alloy wheels. From the outside, there's very little to suggest what's hiding beneath the bonnet.

The exhaust note, however, gives the game away immediately!

Engine and Drivetrain

• Chevrolet Corvette LS3 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, approximately 430 bhp
• Automatic transmission with bespoke mounting, electronics and controls
• Upgraded transfer-box gearing
• Rear limited-slip differential
• Uprated rear half-shafts and drivetrain components
• Bespoke stainless-steel sports exhaust system with catalytic converters
• Upgraded cooling system, radiators and induction pipework
• Professionally engineered and installed by Nene Overland

The V8 has a wonderfully distinctive soundtrack, and the automatic transmission makes the Defender surprisingly easy to drive despite its performance.

Suspension and Braking

The suspension, drivetrain and braking systems were extensively upgraded as part of the original Nene Overland conversion.

• FOX 2.0 Performance Series adjustable remote-reservoir suspension
• Upgraded front shock turrets
• Uprated rear anti-roll bar
• Upgraded braking system
• Replacement front vented brake discs, pads and calipers in 2025
• Replacement FOX rear shock absorbers in 2025
• Additional steering, swivel and suspension components renewed in 2025

The result is a substantially more extensively engineered vehicle than a simple V8 engine swap.

Bespoke Interior

Nene also carried out significant interior modifications to accommodate the automatic transmission while retaining the traditional Defender character.

These include a purpose-built centre console incorporating the automatic gear selector and a digital gear-position display mounted in the upper-right section of the console.

The custom central storage unit incorporates an Alpine active subwoofer and a practical cubby box with a padded lid that doubles as a comfortable centre armrest.

Additional equipment includes:

• MOMO steering wheel
• Original X-Tech seats with dark upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Pioneer DAB stereo
• Alpine active subwoofer and additional tweeters
• Bluetooth music streaming
• Hands-free mobile phone connectivity with dedicated microphone
• Owner-installed lowered bulkhead conversion behind the front seats, allowing significantly greater seat adjustment and a much more comfortable driving position for taller occupants, particularly anyone over 5'8".
• Two-seat hardtop with a Nene Overland soundproofed rear load floor, covered with a full rubber mat, plus an additional removable, moulded Land Rover load protector with raised edges

Original X-Tech Specification and Equipment

This is an original 2012 X-Tech Special Edition, retaining its distinctive factory appearance and equipment.

• Metallic Orkney Grey paintwork
• Contrasting Santorini Black roof and wheel arches
• Original factory bonnet and grille
• Black Sawtooth alloy wheels
• Distinctive X-Tech interior and exterior detailing
• Cold Climate Pack, including heated front seats and heated windscreen
• Convenience Pack, including electric front windows and remote central locking
• Air conditioning
• ABS and electronic traction control
• Upgraded exterior lighting specification

The original headlights were subsequently replaced with modern Truck-Lite LED units, fitted by Nene Overland in 2025.

Exterior and Additional Equipment

• BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres
• Full-size unused spare wheel
• Truck-Lite LED headlights
• Replacement black side bars/steps fitted by Nene Overland in 2024
• Towbar fitted by the owner
• Scorpion Automotive S5 VTS vehicle tracking system

The exterior remains deliberately understated rather than adopting the heavily modified appearance of many modern Defender restomods.

Ownership and Maintenance History

I purchased the Defender new from Pentland Land Rover, Edinburgh, on 18 September 2012 and have remained its only registered keeper.

The original purchase invoice is retained, showing the vehicle delivered new with just 20 miles recorded.

It has been maintained by Land Rover specialists throughout its life, principally White's Auto Services in Edinburgh and Nene Overland in Peterborough.

The service book contains stamps from White's through to 2020, supplemented by additional invoices.

Nene Overland undertook the extensive LS3 V8 conversion and refurbishment between July and November 2018, with further work documented in 2024 and 2025.

The original conversion is supported by a detailed eight-page invoice totalling £56,768.74.

Additional Nene Overland invoices include:

• September 2024: Further bodywork and cosmetic refurbishment, including replacement front bumper and paintwork.
• October 2024: Replacement side bars/steps, superseding those previously fitted by me, together with a replacement battery and additional work.
• September 2025: £6,189.77 of maintenance and upgrades at 47,249 miles, including replacement rear FOX shock absorbers, front brake discs, pads and calipers, Truck-Lite LED headlights, steering and suspension repairs, door seals, heated-seat repairs and other maintenance.

Total documented expenditure with Nene Overland is£64,737.15, excluding the original purchase price and maintenance undertaken by White's.

Full supporting invoices are available for inspection.

Insurance Valuation

The Defender is currently insured on an£80,000 agreed-value policy.

This valuation was originally approved in November 2025 following submission of supporting evidence to the insurer, and the policy was renewed in November 2026.

The agreed value reflects the specialist specification and potential replacement cost of a comparable vehicle, rather than its expected resale value.

Condition and MOT

The Defender has covered approximately 48,500 miles from new, with relatively little use in recent years.

The most recent MOT was completed in May 2026, with recorded mileage of 48,313.

MOT valid until 13 May 2027.

The MOT passed with advisories relating to corrosion on the rear brake discs and rear brake pipes. These have not yet been addressed and are disclosed for completeness.

The vehicle also passed its petrol emissions test in May 2026.

For completeness, the V5C still reflects the original diesel engine specification, despite previous notifications to DVLA. The Corvette LS3 petrol conversion is fully documented by Nene Overland.

Reason for Sale

Quite simply, I'm no longer using the Defender enough to justify keeping it.

Living beside the sea isn't particularly kind to vehicles that spend much of their time parked, and I'd rather see it enjoyed by someone who appreciates what it is.

This is a genuinely unusual opportunity to acquire aone-keeper, professionally converted Corvette V8 Defender 90 X-Tech, with extensive specialist maintenance, over £64,700 of documented Nene Overland expenditure and its original factory exterior appearance largely retained.

Private sale, Edinburgh. Serious enquiries welcome.