Land Rover is known the world over for its rugged, capable off-road vehicles. Production of the Series Land Rover and Defenders spans nearly 70 years, and the Land Rover Defender 110 can trace its roots to the original Land Rover produced in 1948. This 1996 Land Rover Defender 110 was imported from Great Britain to the United States by the owner in June of 2024 and is now for sale in Richmond, Virginia with a clean Virginia title.

Powered by the economical 300TDI diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, this right-hand drive Defender 110 was treated to a host of repairs and upgrades in 2021 and again just before its delivery to the US in 2024. The car has been a reliable occasional daily driver according to the current owner, and is offered for sale due to the seller’s repatriation to the UK.

The Land Rover Defender was originally introduced as the Land Rover One Ten in 1984, joined shortly after by the Ninety. The wheelbase (in inches) for each vehicle determined its moniker, and after 1990 the vehicle became known as the “Defender” to differentiate the car from the newly launched Discovery.

The Defender was an uncommon sight in North America until 1993, when Land Rover was able to produce a limited number of Defender 110 Hard Top models to meet North American vehicle requirements. These “NAS” or North American Specification Defenders are highly prized by collectors and the average price for 110 models is over $100,000 due to their rarity. The Defender was only officially sold in the US until 1997.

As a European-built model imported to the United States, this Land Rover Defender 110 300TDI presents an opportunity to enjoy the unique experience of Land Rover Defender ownership without the massive price tag. Thanks to the car’s diesel-powered engine, fuel economy is superior to the gas V8-powered NAS Defenders.

Included service documentation and a MOT test certificate indicate this Defender was an original UK-delivered vehicle with ownership history in England and Northern Island where it bore the number plate KAZ 4671. Numerous included records indicate MOT-related repairs and custom upgrades over time. The car was listed for sale by well-known 4×4 experts Nene Overland of Peterborough, England in March of 2024 and purchased by the seller during an overseas visit.

While currently finished in Montpelier Red, a stunning deep metallic red finish, it would appear that the car was originally Rioja Red based on the color revealed by various paint chips. The red bonnet, white roof and fender arches have been painted in Santorini black, increasing the car’s presence significantly. A host of repairs were made and parts replaced by well-known Land Rover restoration company Rivolve Motorworks in February of 2024 including mechanical fixes and rust repair to the body and bulkhead footwells. The rear door was replaced in 2022.

Exterior features added by previous owners include a full set of LED lighting, gloss black plastic headlight and turn signal bezels, 4-slat front grille, diamond plate sill guards, mud flaps, folding side steps for all entry portals, and a swing-away rear tire carrier.

The interior is finished in gray with black partial-leather upholstery in overall good condition. Modifications from stock include a Momo Jet-style steering wheel, center cubby with cupholders, Black Exmoor Trim carpets and rubber mats to provide additional weather protection during more adventurous use. A Kenwood bluetooth stereo allows for hands-free phone use. No air conditioning is fitted and the heater is said to be inoperable. Fortunately, the car’s front cowl vents and sliding windows provide plenty of ventilation on warmer days. With its rear jump seats folded down and restraints deployed, this Defender can seat 11 passengers.

A 2.5-liter turbocharged direct injection diesel engine puts out just 111 horsepower, but a very respectable 195 lb-ft of torque, making the car fairly sprightly around town. This Defender also cruises nicely at legal highway speeds. The Rover R380 5-speed manual transmission shifts well and service records show a new clutch was installed shortly after the car landed stateside. The car is leaking oil near the rear of the engine.

As a capable off-roader, the Defender features a boxed steel ladder frame chassis supporting solid front and rear axles with coil springs. A dual-range transfer case featured a locking center differential, and disc brakes were standard on all four corners. Braking performance was good on a test drive, and the parking brake functions normally. The undercarriage is peppered with surface corrosion, with some penetration in the frame ahead of the rear crossmember. The rear cross-beam, a common rust point, also has some surface corrosion but appears solid.

Sawtooth-style alloy wheels are mounted on all four corners and are in very nice condition with glossy paint. The tires are Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrains in size 7.50R16 and all have good tread remaining. Date codes indicate the tires were installed in 2019.

In addition to the clean Virginia title, the car includes a host of service records dating back several years and multiple spare keys and immobilizer key fobs.

If you’re looking for a family hauler or weekend adventure wagon, this Land Rover Defender 110 offers a dramatic alternative to a common SUV. The car’s utilitarian charm is a smile-inducing experience around town, and its tremendous off-road capability and spacious cargo area opens up the possibility of off-road touring and overlanding in remote, spectacular locales.

While the car remains in its right-hand drive configuration, acclimating is fairly painless and the position is quintessentially British. This 1996 Land Rover Defender would make an excellent camper conversion candidate or could continue to serve as a fun weekend toy.

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