DEFENDER V8 BY WORKS BESPOKE
Pictures Courtesy of JLR
Words – LRLife
Land Rover Classic Works started life by carefully selecting several Series 1 Land Rovers and conducting a thorough factory restoration under the “Reborn” project, then selling them on to discerning customers. After this successful venture, Range Rover classics were also subject to such careful treatment.
Roll on to 2018, Land Rover were celebrating their 70th Anniversary and wanted to do something a little bit special to celebrate this. Cue the Defender Works V8 70th Anniversary. Up to 150 Defenders would be bought back by Land Rover where they would be completely rebuilt by Land Rover classic works. With a 5 litre V8 engine up front, mated to a 8 speed automatic gearbox, the performance was unlike any production Defender every made. Ok it is unfair to call this a production Defender, but it is factory. This was a successful venture for the team at Works, so a second variant was created called the Trophy. Then there was the trophy II. And finally, the Islay. Inspired by Maurice Wilks very own Series 2A.
With these recreations being very popular it was only a matter of time before Land Rover Works would do bespoke build and in August last year it did just that. Introducing Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke.
The recipe for these remains the same. Carefully selected late model Defenders (2012 to 2016) would be bought back and giving that special treatment. All would come with the same V8 petrol engine and 8 speed gearbox, and both 90 and 110 models were eligible. Braking and suspension upgrades would give the Defender the handling and stopping power needed for such a potent engine.
The client can choose from a large range of colours and finishes for their bespoke build. Wheel choice is either the traditional 16” steel wheel, the latest Wolf specification, or the popular 18” saw tooth style.
Additional lighting, roll cages and seats trimmed to your request. For those that wanted adventure roof tents could be added or even an internal bespoke living area called the Ply guys camper conversion.
The price isn’t cheap, starting at £190K + VAT but you will be getting something very special indeed.
