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- Chassis # SALDH1289PA920368
- Engine # 29G00294A
- Desirable North American Specification No. 259 of 500
- Tastefully Modified Throughout
- Factory 5-Speed Manual Example
- Offered With BMIHT Certificate, Spare & Tools
This car is currently located in: Philadelphia, PA
The Overview
History
The iconic Land Rover legacy, spanning seven decades, began in 1948 with the Series 1. This continued until 1983 when a new concept was launched, the Land Rover 110. A model that brought more modern accouterments and more in the way of comfort. While a refined design, the 110 never sacrificed that rugged off-road capability and continues into the present day with the introduction of the 2020 model year Land Rover Defender. Albeit not quite the same, but perhaps a nod to the example that started a new legacy within Land Rover.
1990 marked a turning point in the model’s history, as it gained the Defender name with the introduction of its sibling, the Discovery. Over the years, the Defender offered a diverse range of engine options tailored to different regions, like the 2.8 L BMW M52 I6, the 3.9 L Rover V8, and various turbodiesel engines. The Defender also maintained its predecessor’s naming convention, with models like the Defender 110 denoting a 110-inch wheelbase and the smaller Defender 90 indicating a shorter wheelbase of around 93 inches. When the Defender 110 was discontinued in 2016, it had retained the same overall design since its introduction in 1983.
This Car
This particular example, Chassis # SALDH1289PA920368, is a North American Specification Defender 110 equipped with a 3.9 L V8 engine and a five-speed manual transmission. According to its British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate it was built on October 5, 1992, as a North American export in Alpine White with a Gray cloth interior. Soon after it was imported by Ascot Imported Cars, Inc. in Sewickley, PA, before being sold through Goodwin Motor Group in Brunswick, ME, to its first owner in April 1994. While this Land Rover is unfortunately missing its detailed service records, the CARFAX on file does allow us to trace its general history. The initial owner kept the car for eight years until August 2002, during which time they put 56,407 miles on the odometer, with one accident reported in August 2001. Of which we have found no evidence of.
The Land Rover was sold to its second owner, an Alabama resident, in October 2002 with 57,173 miles on the odometer. It exchanged hands again in November 2004 with 64,783 miles on the odometer and traveled west to California. The third owner enjoyed the Land Rover until February 2006 when a fourth owner briefly enjoyed it before selling it onward in November 2007, with 67,624 miles. A fifth owner acquired this Defender 110 in December 2007 and sold it in January 2010 to the sixth owner with 77,650 miles on the odometer. This owner held onto the Land Rover for the second longest time, next to its original owner, regularly servicing it at Fairway Auto Center in Tyler, TX, and Land Rover Dallas in Dallas, TX. During their ownership, they also had a few modifications performed to the exterior and interior.
The work completed was very high quality, but no service provider is noted nor are there any receipts present. The exterior modifications seem to include only a new exhaust tip. The Cabin modifications appear to include new, heated leather seats, a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, a revised air conditioning system, a redesigned center console with cupholders, and a modified passenger-side dashboard featuring auxiliary gauges.
Six years later, the Land Rover moved on to its seventh and current owner in July 2017. A Philadelphia based enthusiast with an extensive and diverse collection. The odometer or cluster was likely replaced sometime during the sixth owner’s modifications, and as such, only reads 659 miles as of the time of writing this. Looking at the last reported mileage of 81,433 in March 2015, it’s likely this Land Rover has somewhere close to or just over 90,000 actual miles. It will however be sold as “mileage exempt” due to this discrepancy.
As it sits, this is a tastefully modified example of what is often considered the most valuable variant of the Defender 110 – the NAS. While modified, it has clearly been cared for and provides subtle comforts in the way of heated seats, a larger rollcage, and a roof rack, making off-roading adventures more convenient and comfortable while retaining the classic boxy Land Rover style that helped the Defender retain its popularity through the decades.
The Market
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The body shows well overall, straight down the sides with no obvious issues in the panels. This vehicle is no longer 100% original paint, as we do see paintwork on a few panels here or there given away by the texture of the finish which upon close inspection an educated eye can tell there has been paintwork. However, the paint and body remains thin as it should be, with the factory spot welds still showing as they did on day one. A very presentable and respectable presentation overall that does not warrant any attention.
glass and trim
The glass app appears to be original and beyond the tinted film is in good original condition. All of the rubber trim around the glass, door seals, emblems, racks/roll bar, all of the plastic, the bumpers etc… everything in black essentially is in good condition showing little-to-no fading on the plastic as can be common. The presentation is very complete and in good overall condition.
wheels
The wheels are the correct 110 wheels though they are all chipped or scratched upon close inspection. They could be refinished but in keeping with the rest of the car they do not stand out and could also be left as is.
notable flaws
Given the mileage and nature of these Defenders, it is not surprising that there are chips, scratches, and slight oxidation around some bolts/hardware. For the age and miles it is excellent overall, but not without flaws. Please see the photos to review any areas that one might find substandard.
interior
seats and surfaces
The interior on this example is very fresh, likely with little to no use since its refurbishment and updates. Opening the doors reveals a mixture of new/refurbished and original features but the overall assessment is that it is in excellent condition down to the new leather smell. All of the factory plastic remains in good unfaded condition with no cracks noted during our inspection. The carpets, headliner, kick panels and seat covers are all new, even the roll bar covers. The driver's door panel does show a small seam coming undone but this is the extent of any real issues found. The rubber mats, dash fascia, knobs, pulls and switches are all in good condition.
functionality and accessories
The interior functionality is quite basic, but everything appears to be in correct working order overall. All lighting, HVAC, gauges, switches etc… all work as intended. We have noticed an electrical draw that occurs, even with the kill switch turned off. It seems to be our only real complaint regarding the functionality of the interior/electrics. As such it does require a battery tender until further sorting is completed.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay is reflective of the mileage, but also the care this Defender has received. Inspecting the engine bay shows the correct clamps, new hoses, and a generally maintained engine bay that has seen attention as needed. It is clean for the mileage, stock overall, free of any rust issues and in line with the rest of the vehicle’s condition.
trunk area
The trunk or rear seating area on this Defender is in line with the description of the interior. Well tended to during the refurbishment and no needs or issues noted.
Underside
The underside appears to be straight and serviceable with various components greased, minor leaks here or there, but all in line with what one would expect for a vehicle of this age. There is oxidation to be found, but nothing one would consider rust. A solid and reliable underside that appears to be ready for duty.
mechanicals
engine
The engine starts easily once warm, though when cold it takes a few extra seconds. It settles into a nice idle and per our test holds temperature and oil pressure within the recommended ranges. There are no unwanted noises, it doesn’t smoke, and generally feels reliable and ready for use.
transmission
The transmission shifts smoothly with the feeling of ample clutch life left, no chattering or grinding to note.
brakes and suspension
The brakes and suspensions are commensurate with what one expects in an off-roader. The suspension is stiff, but with a lot of travel and movement, though nothing sounds loose or in need of addressing. The brakes work as they should with no pulling noted.
tires
The Tires are BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A 265/75/R16 with 2011 date codes on all 4 corners + the spare. They appear to be nearly new and are still supple with good tread life.
driving experience
In all fairness we were unable to use this Defender in the environment it is intended for, thus it is hard to accurately describe the experience of driving it beyond normal road use. It seems to operate as intended and has all of the characteristics of a vehicle intended for off-road use. It could just as easily be an easy island cruiser with occasional beach access or perhaps ideal for more extreme environments. Overall this is a well tended to NAS defender that is in need of a home that will give it proper use.
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