1986 Land Rover Defender 90, Legally Imported Rhd With Full Documentation 300tdi on 2040-cars

Please read entire auction, and then send questions if not answered.  This is a personal vehicle, and the fifth I have sold on eBay all with great reviews.  I over describe so the winner is fully informed and happy with the transaction.  If additional pictures are needed please ask and I will accommodate the request as best as I can.  If you are truly interested email me and I will provide my phone number if someone wants to talk about this Defender.

Fellow Rover Enthusiast!  For sale is my baby, a one of a kind and FULLY LEGAL IMPORTED Land Rover Defender 90 Right Hand Drive (RHD).  I am wired into the Land Rover scene extensively and can say without a doubt that this Defender is mechanically one of the best, with the most desirable drive train.

For those of us in the community we are aware of the crackdown on importing these vehicles.  Additionally, as of late the Department of Homeland Security recently obtained a warrant to confiscate 53 improperly imported Defenders.  The worst part of this scenario is that the true victims are the owners, not the importer because they are out their rides and money.  So, there are even less of these vehicles legally in the U.S., and there is no reason to believe the laws would change in the future allowing for importing to resume and increase the domestic population.

My Defender was “born” on 8 April 1986 (see the report provided by Land Rover) and imported to the U.S. in October 2012 making it 26.5 years old (less than the required 25 yr safety, 21yr EPA cut-offs).  Furthermore, once it arrived in the U.S. and passed on import inspections, it was subject to the state of Colorado inspection laws where a VIN verification was completed.  This vehicle has a clean Colorado title with no restrictions, and passed all emissions requirements.

General Mechanics and Upgrades

When I purchased this Rover it was already solid, with no rust expect for the rear cross-member.  Since I planned on making this Rover perfect and a daily driver I had it taken down to the frame by a Land Rover specialty shop, treated with a rust inhibitor and then sealed to prevent corrosion.  Next, a low mileage 300 TDI, 5-speed manual gear box and new radiator and battery were installed providing awesome torque and 25 plus miles per gallon that starts right up first time every time.  The disc brakes were inspected and new pads, rotors and calipers were installed on all four tires to stop this beast.  A brand new powder coated cross-member was installed, and modern suspension was put in to mirror the NAS Defender 90.  All fluids were changed approx 1500 miles ago.  The clutch master cylinder, water pump and fan clutch are also brand new, and the heater was inspected and blows hot.  Finally, the axles were inspected and the swivel balls, hub seals, axel bearings and carriers were replaced.  I have receipts for the vast majority of the aforementioned parts, and everything mentioned were replaced with new parts supplied by RoversNorth (minus the TDI and transmission which had less than 30,000 miles).  The total parts plus labor here is in excess of $12,000.

As far as drivability this thing is done and better than new with many modern upgrades.

Internal Upgrades

To make this nice the interior received as much attention as the mechanics.  The few pieces of missing trim were replaced minus one that still needs to be ordered.  The seat frames were striped and repainted and a new hood cable was installed.  All gauges and lights work as they should.  The entire interior passenger section was stripped, sealed and Rhino Lined to reduce noise and prevent corrosion.  To assist in additional noise reduction a front seat insulated pad costing (520.00), insulted tunnels cover costing (260.00), and a center insulated dash cover (549.00) was installed.  The entire bed and inside of the three doors were fitted with diamond plate steel to protect the box.  There is also an anti-theft system installed as well as the working factory radio and modern seat/shoulder belts.  The center console was removed but one can be easily installed.  The wiper pump cover ($250) and a piece of finishing trim ($10) need to be replaced, that’s it.  Finally, a solid roll bar was installed internally to provide additional protections and vehicle rigidity.  Approximate $6000 in parts plus labor.

External Description

The paint is not the original color and there are some scratches and minor dents.  My focus was on mechanics, not making a show truck, but it is not ugly and could be made show quality with a new coat of paint.  The paint is not perfect, but it is not an old repaint either (the added black is only four months old).  There is also some very minor rust on the outer bottom of the driver’s door (common as we all know with the doors design).  I paid about $1500 to have the doors stripped, grinded, and repainted but as with these doors there is minor rust.  Since it is cosmetic only, and only noticeable if you know where to look I could not see the justification to replace the doors.  I would suggest keeping your eyes open for a set of used outer doors, or just do what I did and rock it as is.  If you are a local buyer, the shop that did the work offered to do it again for free since the rust returned.  The top is faded as they do, but there are no rips, tears, or missing tie downs.  There are also little things like new wipers, knobs, new sun visors, and performance induction wing intakes, plus other parts I am sure I am missing.

The doors do have brand new galvanized hinges and are painted to match.  As mentioned, the rear cross-member is brand new and powder coated to last forever.  I also have about $2800 in top of the line Rockware accessories.  If you know Defenders you know Rockware.  In total there is a Rockware front pumper, frame sliders, off-set tie rod, and rock sliders.  External upgrades are approx $6000.

Warranty and Shipping

On top of the purchase price there is at least $24,000 invested in this vehicle and is a tough looking off road beast that is updated to drive at 75 all day long and handle/stop safely.  The vehicle is 28 years old, but mechanically much newer and fully legal since all restoration work was completed after import.  When it’s all said and done the consensus amongst three separate land rover specialty authorizes told me they would sell this Defender for nothing less than $40,000 and that was before 53 were taken off the market by the DHS.  There is a Reserve but it is much less than $40,000, I want my Defender to go to a good home but I am not going to give it away either.  This Defender does not come with a warranty, except the documentation ensuring its legality and right to ownership, and if you are in the CO Springs area the guys that did the work for me stand by it as to its quality and will be introduced to the new owner.

Shipping

Since this vehicle is so rare in U.S. I would not export it.  North American buyers only.  I will assist in the shipping process but the final arrangements are to be made and paid for by the buyer.  A deposit of $500 is required within 24 hours of closing through PayPal with the remainder due via wire transfer or cashier’s check within 7 days.  A bill of sale will be provided and the title in hand signed over once all funds clear.  I will keep insurance on the vehicle through transport just to save you hassle. 

Thanks for the interest and good luck, you