ECD Automotive Design’s latest build, Project Wrangler, is a Land Rover Defender 110 Soft Top with a refreshingly mechanical hook: a 6.2-liter LT1 V8, a six-speed manual, and the unmistakable personality of a classic Land Rover. Plenty of custom Defenders get modern engines, luxury interiors, and high-end finishes, but far fewer are built around the kind of driver involvement that comes from a clutch pedal and a naturally aspirated V8 soundtrack.
Built on the D110 platform, Project Wrangler blends classic Defender character with modern performance hardware, updated technology, and a fully reworked cabin. Polished and highly finished, it still puts the driving experience at the center of the build.
LT1 Power And A Six-Speed Manual
At the heart of Project Wrangler sits a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter GM LT1 V8, sending power through one of the most coveted gearboxes in the performance world: the close-ratio Magnum T56 six-speed manual transmission. It’s an increasingly rare combination, especially in today’s luxury SUV market, where automatic transmissions have become the norm. The custom eight-ball-style shifter knob is a small detail that elevates the tactile experience. The LT1 brings the power and sound, while the manual transmission keeps the driver connected to what the vehicle is doing.
Rather than relying solely on horsepower numbers, ECD focused on the interaction between driver and machine. ECD CEO Scott Wallace summed up the point of the build well: “Project Wrangler is about preserving the feeling of driving. The manual transmission, the open soft top, and the raw V8 power create a connection you don’t get in modern vehicles. It’s built for people who want to be part of the experience.”
Brembo brakes handle stopping duties, while ECD’s Air Ride suspension is designed to add stability and control without taking away the Defender’s character. A Borla stainless Sport Dual Plus exhaust with dual outlets gives the LT1 a voice to match the build’s mechanical feel.
Classic Defender Style, Updated For Adventure
Project Wrangler wears Arles Blue paint with Narvik Black accents, a combination that keeps the Defender’s heritage look intact while giving it a sharper modern presence. The exterior is clean, purposeful, and immediately recognizable as a D110.
The truck rides on satin black 18-inch Kahn 1983 wheels wrapped in BFG All-Terrain tires. Classic Defender bumpers, power folding side steps, a swing-away spare tire carrier, and an NAS-style rear bumper add to the adventure-ready look.
One of the more interesting details is the Safety Devices Explorer roof rack with an integrated rear ladder. ECD notes that the setup nods to the roof rack system Land Rover fitted to North American Specification Defender 90s, which is a nice heritage touch without feeling forced.
The soft top and multi-point roll cage also help define the build. This is not a sealed-up luxury SUV trying to hide its roots. Together, the exterior details give Project Wrangler an authentic expedition aesthetic that people expect from a classic Defender, while adding a much higher level of finish.
A Much More Comfortable Defender Cabin
ECD completely reworked the cabin with front and rear air conditioning, a newly wired electrical system, and a custom center console with rear climate control. The seating layout is 2+3+4, giving the D110 room for a full crew while maintaining the build’s classic utility feel.
Recaro Orthoped seats are wrapped in Spinneybeck Volo Sand leather with single vertical diamond stitching. Natural Sapele wood flooring adds warmth underfoot, while German square-weave carpeting and Brazilian Rosewood accents bring a more handcrafted feel to the interior.
The dashboard has also been transformed. Project Wrangler features a Puma-style leather-wrapped dash, classic white gauges, a Momo Indy wood steering wheel with silver spokes, and a touchscreen system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. A JL Audio system, an active-powered subwoofer, a backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, a digital rearview mirror, remote locking, and an alarm system add modern usability without overwhelming the classic look.
Hand-Built Without Compromise
Project Wrangler is a reminder of what ECD does best. The Kissimmee, Florida-based company builds fully bespoke vehicles, with each project shaped by the client’s choices in paint, powertrain, upholstery, materials, technology, and finishing details. ECD describes itself as the world’s largest Land Rover and Jaguar restoration company, and its work now extends well beyond classic Defenders. The company also builds Range Rovers, Jaguar E-Types, Ford Mustangs, Toyota FJs, INEOS Grenadiers, Defender IIs, and specialty vehicles through its Boutique Studio.
Each ECD vehicle is built as a one-off, and the company says its builds require roughly 2,200 hours from start to finish. That level of labor shows in Project Wrangler, especially in the way the rawness of the manual V8 drivetrain is balanced by the leather, wood, audio, climate control, and modern electronics inside.
Built To Be Shifted, Driven, And Enjoyed
The appeal of Project Wrangler is not hard to understand. The combination of an LT1 V8, a six-speed manual transmission, an open-air soft top, and a meticulously crafted interior creates an experience that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find in the modern automotive landscape. It is refined, but not sanitized. It is modernized, but not stripped of character. Most importantly, it makes the act of driving feel important again.
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