I challenge you to find a Land Rover Defender for sale on eBay that can legitimately state this in their auction: "Here is maybe the best thing about this Land Rover: It is original. By that I mean it is not a reworked, rebadged, revinned 2010 Puma engined Franken-Rover. The number on the chassis matches the number on the little chassis plate on the top of the brake booster, which matches the chassis number in the UK registration document. The engine is the engine that was put in at the factory." Believe it or not, importing old model Land Rover Defenders to the US is big business in the UK. Sellers can end up getting 2-3x the price they would regularly get, and if they have some newer "upgrades" they can easily fetch nearly 50 thousand..for a vehicle that would usually sell for the equivalent of 3-4 thousand in the U.S.
It's rare to find a Defender that is actually period correct with a numbers matching chassis, registration, and engine (all of the 200TDI Defenders you see don't have the original engine...which technically don't meet the EPA exemption...from what our research tells us...) Not that a 200/300TDI isn't worth bending some rules for...
Oh, and since we're being technical here, it's not really a Defender, it's a 110, they renamed them that in the late 80's.
Check it out here on eBay Motors. [link]
Here's what the seller has to say about the vehicle:
Probably one of the most original early Defenders here in the U.S., and one of those 'barn finds' car freaks dream about. This 110 County Station Wagon was purchased new by the National Heath Service in the UK, and was used as part of the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Worcester. It was not actually an ambulance, but rather as a utility vehicle for the staff, to ferry folks here and there. It is not a low mileage vehicle (140K), but was used regularly until it was sent to auction about three months ago. Here is the great part: it was garage kept, and the original paintwork and galvanized body cappings reflect this- shiny paint, and non-corroded galvanized trim. The body work is amazingly straight and true, some minor dissimilar metal corrosion on a few lower parts of the panels. Doors close tight, and are not sprung or otherwise out of true. Original chassis and bulkhead are amazingly solid and rot free, minor surface stuff wire brushed off. Hit the frame with a hammer anywhere and it rings. The drivetrain is also in very good condition, with solid prop shafts, shiny bright, corrosion free front axle swivels, and quiet differentials. Fitted with Michelin 7.50 (235/85/16) XZL's in the front, and 7.50 Michelin X's in the back, about 40% tread left. Shocks and springs are in good condition. Has side steps, which work but are a bit corroded. Rear tow hitch with electrics, mud flaps, newer fuel tank.
Completely original interior, in wonderful condition. This is the original "12-Seater" configuration, with the rearmost inward facing bench seats. Small tear on rear of middle rear seat, some tearing on rear door card, small tear on passenger front seat bottom, otherwise great. Dash is in excellent condition, Engine is the original Land Rover 2.5 normally aspirated (non-turbo) diesel engine, which fires up with a few seconds of glow plug, and runs beautifully. Gearbox is the LT77 five speed unit, which runs through the gears correctly and does not pop out. Has the bonnet mounted spare tire (spare not shown in photos but included in sale), and spot for rear mount in door, although the mount is no longer there. Electrics work correctly, power brakes are fantastic, and the clutch has smooth action with no judder on take up. Steering works as it should on an early Defender 110. Has the original British number plates.
Here is maybe the best thing about this Land Rover: It is original. By that I mean it is not a reworked, rebadged, revinned 2010 Puma engined Franken-Rover. The number on the chassis matches the number on the little chassis plate on the top of the brake booster, which matches the chassis number in the UK registration document. The engine is the engine that was put in at the factory. It is a documented ONE OWNER vehicle. You can feel safe insuring it as a classic or antique, and knowing that if you ever get into an accident, no keen eyed insurance adjuster is going to deny your claim because the Defender you are driving is some sort of amalgamation of a lot of different vehicles, or worse yet, one vehicle with an older VIN plate. You don't need to worry about U.S. Customs knocking on the door, or your state DMV asking a bunch of questions. It is what it is. Why take the risk, when you can own something special, original and true? The VIN number is SALLDHMC7BA230556, and it was first registered on February 14th, 1985. Call me for full details, 215-426-2748, and email me for additional photos. Has a Pennsylvania title, fly out and drive it home.
