LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90, PROFESSIONALLY REBUILT

[Richard180]

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90, PROFESSIONALLY REBUILT TO HOW LAND ROVER SHOULD HAVE MADE THESE

I collect and appreciate classic cars. My neighbour Nick, (not only lives in London, but on his farmland in Germany too) had this one recently built by specialist ‘Masai’ for his 2 sons (27 & 23). One of the sons, an engineering apprentice, lives in Germany and the other son, an apprentice glass blower, lives in Switzerland. Nick’s idea was that both sons could use the Defender, when at his farm and for travelling through the Swiss Alps and during fierce German winters, in complete safety and comfort. There then ensued a long painstaking search to find a 1 owner vehicle, with fairly low mileage that had been regularly serviced, which was robust and solid and also at the right price point. Something very rare, but was eventually achieved!

Nick’s sons did not like the idea of sharing the Defender and they both would have preferred a highly luxurious Range Rover, so Nick gave me the opportunity to purchase this from him to add to my car collection.

Nick is obsessed with attention to detail and had enough money to make this project happen, without cutting corners. Even the hinges and screws for this car have been custom made from 316 billet steel. The invoice for that alone was ridiculously huge.
Of course when Nick had the rear seat conversion, he had the arches fabricated for the job, so the flooring is clean and flat when the seats are raised.
The LED lights are so bright, specifically custom designed to provide clear guidance and views, in awful weather and terrain conditions.
The Alacantra headlining would be much more likely to be found more in the likes of a Bentley than a Land Rover.
These type of cars usually suffer with leaks and noise, but not this one! It was totally rebuilt, so the cabin sound is more like a car and well insulated from draughts, sound and water leaks!
Heated rear and front screens are very unusual, but this is a unique car.

After seeing the car, then getting the following email description, I purchased the car:

Landrover Defender - We decided to iron out any known design faults by a specialist to achieve a sealed car that is also more comfortable to drive.

History:

I bought this 90 from Ireland 18 months ago when prices were high plus it was the only 90 i could find anywhere with one owner from new together with rust free chassis and bulkhead. One lady owner, who I met. She owned the vehicle purely to move her horse between 2 fields for grazing. I met the mechanic in the village who serviced the car from new. The car was and is a totally straight vehicle, no knocks and the engine is truly fabulous. So i guess that is why enthusiasts make a B line for the TD5 model; coupled with the fact that it has the best design for the modern era. And NO leaks.

All in all good starting point prior to all the work carried out.
As you can see from the small selection of photos, (i have a complete set), the car was stripped.

Here is a list of all the items replaced - i have receipts for everything and Masai will happily provide confirmation for everything i have stated:

Front & Rear Doors (complete new genuine panels).
New (Masai) side windows together with betterment seals and gaskets (please view and as per Masai Website).
New Front and rear bumpers (see photos) - bumpers now have LED running lights for daytime.
New LED headlights and all lights in LED throughout (see photos)
New Spare Wheel arch bracket support to rear door.
New Tow Bar & rear foot step
New Hinges (throughout/everywhere) produced from billet stainless steel grade 316 and milled to match existing. Produced by YRM of Birmingham.
New front seats and (front facing rear seats) Genuine Land Rover Heritage (see photos)
New Alacantra interior lined roof with sun visors
New wing mirrors
New carpeting throughout
New front windscreen and rear window (both now heated)
New gearshift/brake/drive gear (in leather will billet aluminium milled knobs)
New Momoto sterling wheel
Stainless steel grade 316 edge strips and threshold(s) strips throughout.
Dynamat of USA insulation and sound deadening material throughout. 100% throughout since car was totally stripped.
New doors cards, where required
4 new winter tyres
Wheels stripped and newly alloyed
New windscreen wipers & blades throughout
New front grille (made in Germany would you believe - well made and subtle in appearance)
Rear seat conversion (done correctly at the arches) so flooring clean and flat when seats are raised.
Genuine LR rear seat belts fitted correctly for front facing rear seats.
New rear interior side panels to match and accept front facing rear seats (when raised).

I’m not into bling in any shape or form. What i tried to achieve is; remove ALL possible rust areas from developing in the future. Dealing with all known faults 100%. Bring the vehicle to a safety standard commensurate with 2018 and beyond. Make it totally legal to have 4 persons in the vehicle for motorway driving, whilst also (sitting comfortably for long journeys in correct seating and correct 3 point safety belt system). Able to see well at night (it was intended to go the the Alps, no street lights in the alps or autobahns). Completely seal the vehicle from external noise, so that the cabin sound is more like a car and well insulated from draughts, sound and water leaks!.

This car has been built to 2018 standards and with the attention of being future proof. Nick had this built no expense spared for his sons and has not scrimped in the slightest.

Land Rover have just built 150 cars that are similar to this. They have all been sold for £150,000 and I am led to believe that there were queues for those vehicles and they aren’t making more.

[Scrump]

Any pictures?