Defender 90 V8 Conversions - advice please.

[Pugsey]

My girlfriend has a five year old Def 90. Loves it to bits but because of a weak left arm - old gun shot wound, yes really - is finding the gearchange literally a pain. Loves the idea of an auto V8 and has got the chance of an immaculate Anniv.50. However she hates "that yukey blue green colour" and would have it resprayed which seems the wrong thing to do as we understand these cars are regarded as 'collectable' and she'll be modding something that she'll probably have paid a premium for. Therefore would it be possible to have her existing car modded -to V8 auto - and if so who would do it. Any advice much appreciated.

[greenlandy]

Loads of companies specialise in doing this a few even convert Tdi's to auto If you want something really special try this guy.
www.foleyspecialistvehicles.co.uk/index2.htm

[church]

Converting your Defedner Td5 to auto is very tricky as you have to use a Discovery Td5 gearbox and try and get the Discovery gearbox ECU to talk to the Defender engine ECU which is the difficulty. It can be done and costs somewhere around £6,000 from memory. Tdi to auto is easier. There are plenty of V8 auto Defenders that have been built and so is cheaper to buy one of those. As you say it would be a shame to re-spray a 50th.