The Land Rover Defender has returned to US soil looking a lot different than the last version of the tough off-roader to be sold here. But don't let the smoother aesthetics fool you - it's one of the best off-roaders in the business. There will still be Land Rover fans who hanker after the classics, though, and Osprey Custom Cars are known for its spectacular rebuilds of classic 4x4s.
The company's latest project is a custom Defender 90 painted in a gorgeous shade of Light Blue. The shorter, two-door 90 is naturally sportier than the 110, so is the perfect base for this rebuild.
An extraordinarily long list of custom upgrades has been applied to this custom Defender, starting with a Kahn wide body kit and a Kahn X-lander grille. The all-terrain tires contain 18-inch wheels and the front bumper houses LED lights. Contrasting perfectly with the blue paint is a soft convertible top in tan.
The tan color has been applied to the leather interior as well, which has heated diamond-stitched front seats, a far cry from the original's basic innards. An upgraded HVAC system is hidden by a leather-wrapped dashboard.
It's got plenty of tech on board, too, from Apple CarPlay to Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen interface, and a backup camera. But details like the thin-rimmed wooden steering wheel retain the charm of the original.
Under the hood rests an LS3 V8 engine straight from the Corvette. The 6.2-liter motor pushes out 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque, which should make for brilliant performance. A six-speed automatic is used.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Landy if it couldn't go off-road, so this Defender 90 has a two-inch Terrafirma suspension and a front skid plate to handle the rough stuff. The chassis is galvanized and powder-coated in black.
Along with the reborn Defender 110 that went under Osprey's magic wand earlier this year, these 4x4s are the perfect combination of new and old. If you have the means, then why not? "The owner wanted a classy classic, but modern, one-of-a-kind soft top. And we delivered," said Aaron Richardet, Osprey's owner and founder.