Limited edition of 450 units of this precious commemorative model

The Defender Collection Owners Meeting, held on 20 April 2024 at a special venue in Saiboku, Saitama Prefecture, brought together numerous new and old Defenders. We focus on one of the cars we saw at the event. This time we introduce the Land Rover Defender 90, a precious limited edition car that has been converted to military specifications.

Packed with equipment that makes it look like a military vehicle

One of the 50 or so new and old Defenders gathered here that caught our attention was the Defender 90, which looks like a military-spec vehicle. The owner, Mr. Shimomura, usually uses this vehicle to tow a military trailer and enjoy camping.

The Defender was available with three different wheelbases (90, 110, and 130 inches), each with body variations such as station wagon and pick-up. The shortest Defender 90 station wagon is presented here. Fitted with a pickaxe, shovel, and tow rope, its olive green exterior looks like a military vehicle. When we asked Mr Shimomura how he acquired it, he told us a surprising fact that we had never imagined.

The base was a limited edition V8-powered car

“To tell the truth, this car is based on a limited edition car with a V8 engine. All the military equipment was collected by myself.”

In 1998, Land Rover launched the Defender in Japan in a limited edition of 450 units to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its production. This limited edition car was right-hand drive and came with the same 4-litre petrol V8 engine as the Range Rover and a ZF four-speed automatic.

Mr. Shimomura bought such a precious limited edition model new in 1999 and has been driving it for 25 years since. And now, based on such a precious limited edition car, he has customized it with the motif of the ‘Wolf’ vehicle used by the British Army.

“The only thing that shows it’s a limited edition car anymore is the leather-wrapped steering wheel and a commemorative plate with a serial number behind the shifter. But it’s a V8 engine and automatic transmission, so it’s quite comfortable.”

Modification of each part in pursuit of details of military vehicles

After stripping all the insulation as well as the carpets, the car was painted olive green. In addition, the interior lining of the Wolf, a military vehicle, was obtained and replaced. Equipment such as pickaxes and shovels were added. The front bumper was also detailed with a hook in the center, in the style of a military vehicle.

In addition, although originally limited edition cars were to have exclusive aluminum wheels, steel wheels were chosen on a dare, and 7.50R16 Goodyear G90 tires with a characteristic old pattern were found and fitted.

“But the shape of the snorkel differs from that of a military vehicle, the bulbs in various parts are different from military specifications, and there are still a lot of details to be worked on. We plan to continue to have fun and improve the details.”

translated by DeepL