1993 Land Rover Defender 110 NAS

Serial Number
SALDH1287PA919350
Paint Color
Alpine White
Engine
4.6L V8
Interior Color
Moorland Gray Cloth Interior
Transmission
Manual
Mileage
Price
$
POA

Among the most iconic vehicles ever made, the Land Rover Defender is a legend. Although it was not officially offered in the United States until 1993, the Defender’s story extends back to the early postwar years. At that time, Rover Cars needed steel to resume car production, which the government (still responsible for allocating raw materials) would allow only to companies with a proven record of exporting their goods. The United Kingdom was economically battered by the war, so the government placed the high priority on acquiring foreign currency by exporting British goods. Thus, Rover hastily designed a vehicle with the export markets in mind: a clever mostly aluminum utility vehicle inspired by the American military Jeeps that were common in England during and after World War II.

The new vehicle, called the Land Rover, was intended to be a stopgap to generate the exports that would get Rover the steel they needed to make cars, but by 1951, just three years after the Land Rover’s introduction, it was outselling Rover cars three to one. The Land Rover included a whole host of thoughtful features, earning it a deserved reputation for usefulness, durability, and unstoppability. They were sold around the globe, and legend had it that for a full third of the world’s population at one point, the first vehicle they ever saw was a Land Rover. It was slowly but continuously developed and remained in production until 2016, a shocking 68 years.

As times changed, so too did the Land Rover, with the 1984 revisions earning it a name beyond simply “Land Rover” for the first time. Called the Defender, it was an evolution of the Land Rovers made during the preceding decades, but did include meaningful improvements including coil springs for the first time. Introduced on the Range Rover, which arrived in 1970, coil springs dramatically improved the ride comfort while sacrificing none of the vehicle’s legendary off-road ability.

Although the Range Rover was designed with the US market in mind, the dysfunction of British Leyland, coupled with the massive demand for the vehicle in other markets, meant that it did not enter the US market until 1987 following a 15+ year absence of Land Rover from North America. The introduction of the Range Rover to America was massively successful and so for 1993, a limited run of Defenders was brought to the United States as well. Just 500 were sold, together with another 25 for the Canadian market. All were the same specification, which was quite a bit higher than was typical for the rest of the world. Each example was painted alpine white and trimmed with cloth houndstooth Moorland gray upholstery, and all were 110 (referring to the longer wheelbase four door model) hard top station wagons with external roll cages. They were powered by the fuel-injected 3.9 liter Rover V8 shared with the US Range Rover, although in the Defender 110, it was backed by a 5-speed manual transmission rather than the Range Rover’s automatic. It should also be noted that outside of North America, V8 Defenders displaced 3.5 rather than 3.9 liters (aside from the 50th Anniversary Edition produced for 1998 for Europe). Each had a numbered plaque indicating which of the 500 units imported it was, and although other North American Spec (NAS) Defenders came over, they were all 2 door Defender 90s, meaning that 1993’s limited edition ended up being the only 110s to be officially imported. NAS 110s are therefore very collectible.

This particular NAS Defender 110, #122 of the 500, is exceptional in nearly every respect. It has had two owners from new, both of whom were in the San Francisco Bay Area. This Defender was supplied new by San Jose British Motors on 9 December 1992 to an attorney who used it to commute and ultimately retained it for more than 25 years, selling it to the current owner in 2018.

He subsequently undertook an obsessive and comprehensive restoration which totaled approximately $123,000 and included every mechanical and cosmetic aspect. During the restoration, a rebuilt 4.6 liter engine was fitted (retaining the original ancillaries and fuel injection system), and the owner also set about expanding the already remarkable complement of original and rare OEM extras present with this particular D110. These include the original Land Rover camp chairs, waterproof seat covers and the factory under-bumper winch (with accompanying OEM bumper with cutout).

Cosmetically, the body was removed from the frame and both were completely restored. All four doors were replaced, as was all exterior rubber and plastic trim, including badges, the fender flares, grille, headlight bezels, door handles, exterior mirrors, and all lights. The front windscreen was also replaced. All black metal exterior trim was restored as well. The wheels were also refinished and new tires (T/A K-02) fitted. The rear door was also rebuilt and a stainless steel articulated and hinged rear tire carrier was fitted that mounts to the rear crossmember instead of the door to eliminate the possibility of metal fatigue that results from the OEM solution of bolting the spare directly to the rear door.

Inside, the interior door panels were replaced, as were the carpets, seat and headliner foam, seat upholstery, headliner, seatbelts, and various knobs, buttons etc. New correct decals and labels were also installed. An additional set of correct Moorland seat upholstery with houndstooth pattern was sourced as well.

Mechanically, the suspension was completely rebuilt, including new springs, shocks, drag link, steering damper, and all ball joints and bushings. The brakes were restored and a rear disc brake conversion also performed, which necessitated new rear axle shafts, flanges, and hubs. New exhaust shields were installed as well, as was a new stainless steel exhaust system. The engine was replaced with an overhauled 4.6 liter unit, and the transmission and transfer case also rebuilt and the flywheel resurfaced. Various ancillary systems were also renewed including the cooling system, and the air conditioning was converted to R134a at this time. Approximately 3,500 miles have been covered since the restoration, bringing the total indicated mileage to 258,000.

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The resulting Defender is stunning, displaying the obvious passion of its owner. This is also evidenced by the massive collection of accessories and extras he amassed. This includes the following items:

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-OEM Front Floor Mats

-OEM NAS D110 Mufflers/Pipe

-OEM Factory Mechanics Fender Protector Wraps (extremely difficult to find)

-OEM Full 24 Piece Set Moorland Cloth Covers (original to this D110)

-OEM Carpet Pieces (original to this D110)

-Rear Rubber Cargo Mat

-OEM Under Bumper Winch * Warn 8000 Set-Up

-OEM Land Rover Winching Accessory Bag

-OEM Tow Hitch Package

-OEM Promotional Folding Field Chairs & Carrying Bags

-OEM Land Rover Gun/Security Box