Make: Land Rover
Model: Defender 90
Year: 1995
Color: Alpine White
Mileage: 129,000
 
EXTERIOR

Paint & Bodywork:
This example boasts “survivor” status, as it maintains its original factory Alpine White finish, superbly preserved and free of major corrosion, a near universal ailment for Defenders of this age. All hardware, steel brackets and supports were treated and refinished to prevent further corrosion.
The body panels remain remarkably straight. It retains its original graphics, original headlight surrounds, Britax mirrors, and Wipac Quadoptic headlights. A later-style rear door was fitted to replace the weak original and painted to match. Original-style TD5 hinges were replaced and reinstalled, with upgraded front hinges matched to the body.

POWERTRAIN

Engine:
This 90 features Land Rover’s beloved 300tdi Turbocharged, Fuel-Injected 4-Cylinder diesel motor. A fan favorite among explorers, global militaries, overlanders and safari-outfits, the 300tdi is widely accepted as the greatest motor Land Rover installed in these vehicles.
A matching-numbers example, this engine has been meticulously maintained and recently serviced. Originally registered in April 1995, the vehicle spent its life in Tuscany, Italy, a region whose dry climate has preserved the mechanicals remarkably well.

Transmission:
The 5-Speed manual R380 transmission and LT230 transfer-case also boast fan-favorite status as “bullet-proof” gearboxes, capable of withstanding heavy use off-road, and offering great driveability in town and on the motorways.

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

Chassis:
The original numbers-matching chassis is in outstanding condition, having never required any welding or structural repair. Benefiting from a dry Tuscan climate and careful long-term ownership, it remains corrosion-free and structurally original. As part of its recent refresh, the chassis was cleaned back and refinished in satin black, restoring a factory-fresh appearance without compromising originality.

Suspension & Underside:
The axles were removed, stripped, and repainted. The suspension has been fully overhauled with new factory Land Rover coil springs, Bilstein shock absorbers, and polyurethane bushes throughout.
Front brakes were upgraded with new discs, pads, and braided brake lines. Rear brakes, recently replaced by the previous owner, remain in excellent condition. All wheel bearings were removed, inspected, cleaned, and re-greased with new oil seals installed. A heavy-duty steering damper from Bilstein and uprated HD steering rods with new track rod ends complete the underbody mechanical work.

WHEELS & TIRES

We’ve installed a set of 5 heavy duty “wolf” steel wheels, used by the British Ministry of Defense of military vehicles. These are the toughest, most resilient wheels for off-road use, and are beloved for their utilitarian aesthetics.
Mounted with stainless-steel lugs and clad with fresh Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires (235/85R16), they are paired with heavy duty rock-sliders making this a very-capable trail-ready rig. A swing-away rear spare carrier ensures the upgraded wheel weight doesn’t burden the tailgate.

INTERIOR

The interior of this 90 was tastefully upgraded with custom Lucari Solutions leather front seats, center console and 4 x inward-facing safari-style rear jump-seats.

Exmoor Trim’s exceptional moulded matting system was installed. Covering the bulkhead/firewall, transmission tunnel, floors and seat box, this system offers superb noise-reduction, thermal insulative properties and a clean/sleek utilitarian feel. Widely preferred for its sleeker design, a later leather-upholstered Puma steering wheel was installed.

The original headliner and interior side panels/crash pads were reupholstered with alcantara/microsuede in light grey for the headliner and a darker tone for the sides, echoing the original palette while elevating the cabin finish. Additional sound deadening and closed-cell foam have been added beneath all surfaces, including the roof, for enhanced refinement.
The rear loadspace is covered with an original Land Rover cargo matting system which protects the floors and wheel-wells while offering good acoustic/insulative properties and well-equipped to handle mud/debris.

PROVENANCE & HISTORY

Registered on April 5, 1995, this Defender has had just two owners from new, with the second retaining it for 27 years as his only vehicle. Sourced directly from Florence, Italy, its dry-climate life and indoor storage have preserved its condition. With matching numbers, original paint, and a raft of mechanical and cosmetic upgrades, this 90 blends heritage with usability.

Location: Connecticut, USA
Title: Montana Title