- The Land Rover Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top pays homage to previous generations, including the 1990s NAS 90
- The model is available on a made-to-order basis and built by Land Rover Classic engineers
- It’s based on an original Solihull-built Defender and powered by a 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine with 405 bhp and 380 ft lb of torque
- The Land Rover Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top is priced from £195,000 (approx. $403,000AUD) before ORC
Proving old school cool never dies, Land Rover has brought back an icon with the announcement of the new Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke Soft Top. Available through the British marque’s Land Rover Classic’s (LRC) Works Bespoke service—which debuted last year—the newcomer is exclusively available on the short-wheelbase ‘90’ chassis, which rolled off the production line for the last time in 2016.
Each example is built using a carefully selected donor model from 2012 to 2016, with Land Rover Classic’s Works Bespoke department stripping and reengineering each to exacting standards which respect the original production run while drawing inspiration from models like the NAS (North American Specification) 90 produced during the 1990s.
Built on a made-to-order basis, each example sees a bespoke canvas hood—available in Black, Sand, Dark Khaki, or Navy—which is inspired by the hood fitted to the last production model in 2016, and is fitted with authentic tie downs and webbing. The side and rear sections can be unzipped and rolled-up for open air driving while retaining some protection from the elements, and the addition of extra tie down points ensure everything stays put at fast speeds.
While the canvas hood has more recent inspiration, the hood frame itself throws it back to the 1990s; designed specifically for the new model, it features bracing that takes its cues from the NAS 90.
The opportunity for customisation extends onto the exterior body, with 49 paint finishes available. Should one of those not take your fancy, Land Rover Classic also offers a match-to-sample colour service for a truly bespoke finish.
There’s a slew of other personalisation details available, including the grille, door handles, and bonnet script, as well as the choice between 16-inch Wolf wheels or 18-inch Sawtooth alloys. On the inside, there are five single-tone and eight two-tone leather options available, with colours including Caraway, Liberty Blue, and Garnet. Add-on accessories include an onboard wine cooler or a custom surfboard rack (perhaps both!), designed to suit multivarious lifestyle needs.
The Land Rover Classic Defender V8 Soft Top is priced from £195,000 (approx. $403,000AUD) before ORC.
Words by Henry Blake
