Lot Ended
Description
1998 Land Rover Defender V8 50th Anniversary
Edition
Highly desirable and collectible UK market 4.0
V8 auto 50th Anniversary model; recent £11,000+ restorative
spend
Supplied new in August 1998 in Atlantis Blue (a flip
blue/green colour) with grey cloth, this very smart Defender 90 County model is
the 50th Anniversary Edition, specifically No. 225 of the UK allocation and
features the 190bhp 3.9 litre Rover V8 mated to four speed automatic
transmission. Boasting manual windows, air conditioning, sunroof, heated
rear window, 4x folding rear seats, tow bar, side steps, external and internal
Safety devices roll bar for front occupants and checker plating it’s got proper
road presence and rugged attitude.
Starting promptly and running as it
should as we manoeuvred it around for these images it looks every bit as good
underneath as it does atop. Given the recent £7,364 spend on mechanical works in
October 2020 and complete re-spray in December 2020 at a cost of £3,600 this
comes as no surprise!
This mammoth amount covers a complete engine rebuild and
replacement rear chassis and new outriggers. As part of these works, the rear
shockers were replaced along with new rear discs and pads, an old LPG system was
removed, new fuel pipes and fuel tank guard were fitted, the oils for front and
rear axles and transfer box were replaced, new anti-roll bar bushes and front
bumper installed, rear brake pipes repaired, new front callipers, discs and pads
fitted, major service, new coil pack, HT leads, AC condenser, radiator, AC pipes
and a re-gas were also carried out.
A further £302 was then spent in December 2020 on a full
underbody protection with Buzzweld War underbody paint – evident from a look
underneath, where it all looks ship-shape and impressive. In addition to these
invoices on file, we see the V5C showing just 4 previous keepers to the last of
some 16 years and current MOT valid until October 2021 with just 2 minor
advisories recorded for fraying seat belt edges – not uncommon given this 90 has
covered 140,157 miles – a walk in the park for these things, indeed
demonstrating just how usable they are even when some 23 years old
now.
One of just 1071 produced for the global market, and only 385 UK
market examples it is, as such, undoubtedly a rare beast and now highly
collectible. Given this, their values have continued to climb and look to
continue to do so as the American collector market comes calling when they hit
25 years old in 2023 we see them now infrequently. An exciting opportunity for
sure and given its in such sweet condition we expect the bidding to be
competitive.
For more information, contact - [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT