Restomod classics continue to be all the rage. While it’s typically Ford’s Bronco from the 1960s that steals the show, Land Rover Defenders have been gaining popularity. Land Rover sold its Defender 90 and 110 SUVs in the United States from 1993 until 1997, when changing crash and emission regulations forced Land Rover to pull the Defender from the U.S. market. Land Rover sold fewer than 6,800 Defenders in North America during its short five-year run.

Rare Left-Hand Drive Defender

Most restored Defenders tend to be older right-hand-drive imports, as the ‘90s U.S. Defender proves less popular. Typically, these builds are frame-off and come repowered with burly LS-based V-8 engines. They also very often come with price tags north of a quarter-million dollars.

Naturally, our interests were piqued when we saw this immaculate 1999 Land Rover Defender 90 hit the auction block at Sotheby’s Motorsport. Being a 1999 meant that this Defender was not a NAS (North American Specification) model; finding a Euro-spec right-hand drive in the U.S. tends to be rare. Best of all, being Euro-spec also meant that this model came with its gloriously original 2.4-liter Td5 inline-five-cylinder turbodiesel engine and five-speed manual transmission.

The Restoration Process

This Defender 90’s frame-off restoration began with a full sandblasting and powder coating of the frame. The bodywork was fully stripped, epoxy coated, and refinished in a Clay Gray tone. Checked plate fender tops were added along with wide fender flares. The grille is gloss black and is complemented by a full LED lighting package. Heavy-duty side steps and a NAS-style rear bumper were added, along with a heavy-duty soft top frame.

The interior received vintage OEM tan leather upholstery, and the rear opposing jump seats received diamond-stitched center panels. A three-spoke steering wheel is trimmed with wood, as is the rear cargo compartment floor. Aluminum handles are found throughout. A new air conditioning system with digital control was installed, along with new body seals and windows for the utmost in comfort.

Suspending the Defender is a 2-inch ARB lift kit that features Old Man Emu shocks and springs. Rolling stock includes 16-inch Spectre wheels with 35-inch Maxxis Trepador tires. Brakes and steering gear have been replaced as well.

Full Engine Rebuild

The Defender’s Td5 diesel engine has undergone an extensive rebuild as well. The oil-burner received new valves, pistons, rings, bearings, timing chains, and glow plugs, along with having the cylinders honed and head planed. A new radiator was installed with upgraded silicon hoses and a fresh water pump. The original flywheel was replaced with a new dual-mass unit. The turbocharger was rebuilt, and the Defender received a new intercooler and stainless-steel exhaust system. Engine software was remapped for increased power and torque. When new, this engine produced about 135 hp with 220 lb-ft of torque. Not much of a sportscar, the diesel-powered Defender 90 would hit 60 mph in 14.2 seconds, which likely isn’t the case for this example on 35-inch tires. Max speed is set at 98 mph, and quite frankly that feels like plenty.

Quite A Bargain

While this Land Rover Defender 90 is a prime example of a restoration done right, it’s what it sold for that really surprised us. As we mentioned previously, restomod Defenders often fetch more than $250,000 for any of the numerous restorers across the U.S. When the gavel finally fell and the auction closed, one lucky bidder got an absolute steal at just $116,550. This makes us wonder: was this sale an anomaly, or is the bottom about to fall out of the restomod market? Only time will tell.