West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 (#88) with standard 5 speed manual transmission and factory air conditioning ,a new soft top, new tires and comprehensive recent service history with only 73K miles!
The Defender 90 had been in production since 1991 and was first imported to the U.S and Canada in 1994. It has not met U.S safety requirements since 1998, when air bags and side door impact requirements sealed its fate. Land Rover did not consider it economically viable, due to the extremely low number of Defender's being exported to the U.S, to invest in the high cost of modifications required to meet new U.S standards, which in any case could not be practically fitted to this most classic and ultimate examples of military style off road sport utility vehicles.
For the 1994 and 1995 model year Land Rover then offered the 2 door Defender 90, fitted with the same 3.9-litre V8 engine and a manual transmission and which initially was only available as a soft-top, but a later version in 1997 was offered with a unique, removable, fibre-glass roof panel or a regular 4x4 hard-top. In the final year of US production the engine was improved to 4.0 and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. In 1998, regulations changed to require the fitting of airbags for both front seat passengers in all vehicles, as well as side door impact requirements. The Defender could not be fitted with these without major modifications, which given the small numbers of NAS vehicles sold in relation to Land Rover's global sales, were not economically viable. Land Rover retired its utility vehicles at the end of 1997 to focus on its more profitable and upmarket Discovery and Range Rover models, as well as the then newly launched Freelander. The next Defender reportedly may be sold in the US and Canadian markets again in 2019. There were no imports in the year 1996 and finally in 1997, the final year for U.S imports, the Defender 90 reached its ultimate incarnation with the more luxurious Hardtop models, with an improved 4.0L V8 engine mated to 4 speed automatic transmission, a sunroof and 4 rear 'Safari-style' rear jump seats, amongst other notable upgrades.
This 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 is one of the early imports and obviously an extremely well maintained and cared for example with no signs of any accidents of any kind and no rust with a clean Carfax report as confirmation of both it's mileage and maintenance history. It's original factory 'Alpine White' color paint is in exceptional condition and the original Land Rover 'Light Grey' fabric interior with factory Land Rover rubber mats is also in exceptionally clean condition throughout and the vehicle has a fairly new 'Rovers North' dealer-fitted soft top. The vehicle also has a lockable 'Tuffy' box.
Factory options include air conditioning, heavy duty tow package and running boards. It should be noted from looking over this magnificent example that although fully loaded for the purpose it would appear to have never been off road and has no rust whatsoever - obviously a cherished and babied model by it's previous owner's ready for it's ultimate destiny - you!
This vehicle truly has to be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - the vehicle drives as new, the temperature always remains cool and the transmission synchronization shifts smooth and precisely through the gears and without the excessive backlash that causes clunking noises - especially in stop and go traffic like so many used Defenders! The vehicle has recent service records showing no expense spared on this particular vehicles preventive maintenance which any serious buyer should take serious note of when comparing to other options in the marketplace; virtually every seriously important mechanical component has been replaced including the following; a new thermostat, fan clutch, and A/C service, new water pump, new head & valve gasket cylinder set with valve stem seals, new radiator, new clutch master cylinder, new tie rod ends, complete new 'Magnaflow' Performance stainless steel exhaust system with both catalytic convertors replaced to California EPA specs, new oxygen sensor, new engine mounts, all fluids and oils changed, and five new correct BF Goodrich all terrain tires mounted on custom wheels and it is also of note that the vehicle has a recent California smog certificate.
In summary this 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 3.9L V8 4WD is as fine and certainly as well and comprehensively recently maintained an example as you might hope to find - you will definitely look long and hard to find a finer or better maintained example available of this rare, one of only 3039 Defender 90 models imported as a low production vehicle to the U.S. in a two year period 1994-95 aimed at a select audience, and now legendary and unsurpassed SUV driving for rugged all terrain off-road capability available anywhere else!
