Status: SOLD
Make: Land Rover
Model: Defender 90
Year: 1992
VIN: SALLDVAF8JA918290
Title: Clean (MT)
Mileage: ~110,000 kilometers (68k miles)
Engine: 200TDi (4 cyl. turbo diesel)
Trans: 5sp w/ 2sp transfer, locking diff
Location: Bozeman
Shipping: Yes, Buyer's Expense
Revo Summary: A legendary Euro spec Defender, ready to use, refurbish, or restore.
Price: Sold
A Brief Explanation of Revolving Garage Listings: The following listing has been assembled by Revolving Garage at the request of the selling owner. The owner chose Revolving Garage to put together a higher quality, more informative and more transparent listing than can be found at traditional listing sites (i.e. Autotrader, Hemmings, or Craigslist). The Revo Listing gives enthusiast buyers the information they need to make an informed purchase.
If you have any questions, like what you see, or want to make an offer, contact Revolving Garage at info@revogarage.com, and we will put you in direct contact with the owner. All information and transactions will take place directly between the seller and prospective buyer. There are no additional fees to buyers, no middle man, and no catch. You are looking at a For Sale By Owner Listing, in an enhanced format. Thanks for looking, and enjoy!
- The Revolving Garage Team
My first sight of a Land Rover Defender in America was at a dealership in the mid 1990s. I came across a brochure for their commercial and military versions, the tagline was: “Land Rover Defender: Reliability, Supremacy, Lethality.” That description captivated me, and is something I still think about every time I see a Defender. I searched long and hard for a copy of that brochure when writing about the subject car here, but I couldn’t find one. I admit that time and imagination may have obscured my memory, and lethality may not even be a word, but one thing I am sure about: If Land Rover didn’t make that brochure, they should have. These trucks add up to so much more than the sum of their parts. They are legends, and there are few if any cars on the road that could legitimately own those three words.
In the 1980s to 90s, Americans only exposure to Land Rover Ltd.’s vehicular offerings was the Range Rover. While always extremely capable, they were highly optioned and sold here as luxury vehicles. They were favored by the only people who could both afford and garage them: uber preppy suburbanites rushing to the docks in time to catch the last ferry to Nantucket. While in America the Range Rover was owned by a decidedly narrow slice of the American consumer, in Europe the Land Rover picture was much more diverse. Kings and Queens, gentlemen farmers, real farmers, Southwest Londoners (the penchant of the wealthy of SW1 to drive Range Rovers in the city gave rise to the moniker "Chelsea Tractor"), and of course militaries, fire departments, and police forces across Europe have relied on Land Rovers for their lives (literally), for decades.
The truck for sale here is a 1992 Land Rover Defender 90. The “90” represents the shortest wheelbase on the platform, at 92.9 inches (can you imagine the Germans calling something “90” that is actually 92.9 inches?) The Defender was an evolution of the aptly yet less colorfully named “Land Rover Series I, II and III” and then “Land Rover 90.” The Defender was, however, one of the bigger jumps in the evolutionary ladder with all new power trains, including the 200TDi and 5 speed transmission with low speed transfer case seen here, as well as cosmetic changes. This example is a Spanish market truck that was formerly used by a Spanish fire department. It was legally imported to the United States by the current owner under EPA and US DOT exemptions for vehicles older than 25 years. The owner has full import documentation which will be provided to the buyer.
This truck currently has 110,411 Kilometers (about 68,000 miles) on the odometer. It is powered by the tried and true Land Rover 200TDi. It’s a 2.5L diesel inline four cylinder engine with cast iron block and aluminum head. It features direct injection, and a Garrett T2 turbocharger. This engine was fitted to the (at the time) new Land Rover Discovery, as well as Range Rovers. In Defender trim it was factory rated at 109 hp with 188 lb-ft of torque. This engine was fitted to vehicles across Land Rovers’ offerings for many years, and parts are affordable and not difficult to source from numerous sellers in European and other markets. Power travels through a 5 speed manual transmission, with 2 speed (low and high) transfer case and full mechanical differential lock. The four wheel drive system is fully operational. It is used as a daily driver without issue.
While serving in the New Zealand Army the seller drove Land Rover Defender 110's (a longer wheel base version of the same truck), and was drawn back to this platform. He has brought his experience in the military and as a commercial helicopter pilot to bear on this truck.
The body on this example was repainted sometime after its use as a fire truck. The prior red paint is visible in many places as detailed in the pictures. All body panels are present and complete. Many show wear consistent with age and use. Rust is visible in the door sills, and behind the door cards. Some rust is evident on the chassis as detailed in the pictures. It is fitted with the “wagon” body which has a full hard cover over the rear of the vehicle, with full rear door and rear door mounted spare. All glass is in-tact. The air vents under the windscreen are operational.
Suspension is a coil over shock setup. All shocks are intact with no visible leaks or seepage
Aftermarket wheels are fitted. The tires are Cooper Discoverer STT, 265/75 R16. Tread depth is shown in the pictures. No dry rot or other damage is visible. The spare wheel and tire are believed to be original specification.
The interior is as no nonsense as you would expect. The overall theme is functional and reliable. There is no radio or air conditioning. An aftermarket steering wheel and manual window cranks have been fitted. The seats have aftermarket covers. The upholstery underneath is a houndstooth fabric that appears to be in good shape. The rear has built in benches in the back without upholstery or seatbelts.
This is an opportunity to own a legend. One that epitomizes “Reliability, Supremacy, and Lethality” (even if Land Rover didn’t say those exact words). This vehicle is in very strong mechanical condition. The body and interior condition are consistent with age and use. While they have obvious cosmetic needs, they do not impair function, and perhaps even better will never cause you to think twice about using it as intended. While this truck still turns heads as fast as any Italian exotic, it is a solid platform for any level of refreshment or restoration.
If you would like more information or to make an offer on this truck, please contact us at info@revogarage.com, and we will put you in direct contact with the seller.