Land Rover Defenders
 

Rather than jack another thread thought I start a new one. Just wondered how many Defenders were around, plenty of Range Rovers and Discos I know just wondered how many 90/110/130 models were around. I bought a 110 in the Oman but that was a one off.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Well I bought a NAS spec 110 couple of years ago here in the US. I looked into getting a contemporary D110 from the UK to the US but after years of research I came to the conclusion that it is cheaper and definitely far less hassle to just buy a NAS spec one.

The D90 and especially the D110 have a yuppie image here, with the assumtion that is something dentists/doctors drive to the country club. They command silly resale prices. A low mileage mint condition one with around 35k miles recently sold for $80,000.

1993 was the only year they were imported into the US, with 500 for the US and 25 for Canada. They came from LR with a 6 point external rollcage, to comply with DOT specs. Owing to the lethargic nature of the diesels LR offered elsewhere, they went with a V8 for the US market. The V8 itself was a rover redesign of a Buick V8. D90 did not come with a Salisbury rear axle, but D110s did. The Salisbury is LR's liscenced version of the rugged American DANA 60.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

needs upgraded ashcroft drive shafts to be the same strength though

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

I have only seen 6 in Bahrain

110 SW with 2.5 petrol early 90's model for sale 1900 bd ono

110 SW bright orange for sale 3000 bd

unknown age air portable

6 wheel conversion fire tender with defender cab

unknown age 110 rag top Tomb raider look alike driven by a Philipino at speed with V8

130 twin cab for sale that I need to rescue

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

I can think of a Defender - Titus Bramble - who is about as mobile as a Land Rover.....

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

They are an exceedingly rare beast , rarely saw them in the 80s and 90s. Only time I think was it being used by municpality and police/defense forces.

It's just a very bad choice as a daily driver in extreme climates. Your bones get rattled, the AC is crap, it is noisy, slow, cornering at speed is iffy, very utiliatarian and lacks a smooth ride. So it's no wonder that I rarely saw them in AD.

'Course when I bought mine, I already knew the above but still wanted one cause it suits me and my needs. I wouldn't use it to transport my parents / other elderly fok though.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

There's quite a few here, a lot of Jap imports and a local has just bought a 1951S1 from the UK here. Mainly petrol, but a few diesels if you look hard enough.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Not Defender related, but Land Rover related, not the less; I recommend a film (if you can find it) called "The Gods Must Be Crazy." Fun and games with a winch-equipped Series One and a carelessly disposed of Coke bottle...:D

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

The gate opening
The army guy with machine gun
the winch scene

:rofl:

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

"Where's the Land Rover?":lol:

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Oh love the Gods must be crazy 1 and 2, got both on DVD.
Part 2 is the better one of the two. Dam fine films, very witty humour and superbly executed direction. One of the best movies of all time and shames 99% of Hollywood flicks.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

bazooka and machine gun clip

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Only Afs normally know the Gods films....

Next it will be "Jock of the Bushveld". Now lets see if we can find a link to LRs.

Well he was a Staffy and south Staffs is near to Solihul, anyone do better ?

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

For KSA personages:

The last time i checked with the LR dealer in Riyadh, they had no plans to sell Defenders in KSA bercause the cost of getting regional type approval outweighed likely sales.

However, top of the range Range Rovers were selling like Jonny Walker Black

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

I have a 110 TD-5 Expedition package (2005) here in AD. Diesel. It purrs like a big cat, and I love it. I am starting to refurbish a 1983 series 3 also (locally called the Den-Den. My husband tracks all the Defenders, we have seen quite a few around including lots of ex-Police models and some Omani Army ones too.

He estimates in Abu Dhabi there are ten newer 110s which he tracks regularly for an article he is writing for Land Rover Monthly. D90s are LOTS more popular. He says they sell new at LR, full package for about 200,000 AED. The D90 for less, about 160,000 AED. The few we see are the posh 2010 models in black/silver and the occassional older ones. None of the older NAF spec ones here or we'd ship it home, all Gulf Specs. Some completely museum quality Series I & II are around in Dubai for sale at 100,000 AED. Occassionally Japanese spec D90s, fully auto come to Dubai or Sharjah.

There was a Left hand drive Tomb Raider (2000 year model) for sale last year for just 60,000 AED. Its still around. Mussafah, Al Ain and Sharjah are where there are some ex-military ones around but need full refurbbishment. Let me know if you need more info.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

The Tomb Raider, is that a 90 or 110, and if the latter, is it a double cab? I assume it is a British spech model?

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

The cars for sale to the general public were either 90 station wagons or 110 double cabs. To be honest I have only ever seen the 110's

Nice but prefer the 50th and 60th anniversary models. I wonder if any of the 50th models came to the ME as they had the 4.0L V8 and auto boxes ?


Message to self: do not buy a third landrover

I cannot convince the Mrs that we need the orange 130 twin cab pick up that is for sale here.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

The Tomb Raider is a 110 Salisbury build double cab with brown leather lining. We have pictures somewhere.

We have seen two 50th anniversary 110 models. One in Dubai and one in UAE. They are the super luxury models.

Whats that in Bahrain? an Orange 130? My DH may have to take a trip! We love our two but a 130 can always be squeezed in ... none of those in the UAE!

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Don't you find the Defenders rather uncomfortable in that climate?

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Not really. We use our truck as the daily runner and it has a dual aircon system installed. One under the front dash and a separate adjustable one in the rear that fits just behind the rear seat and the blower takes the spot of one of the rear folding seats. It about 45 degrees on average this month but we are fine once we start the A/C and get moving. In fact when its not humid we never turn the blower past medium. Some days the heat will radiate off the front windshield and will overpower any A/C in any car. My husband's rebuild of the Series 3 for me will have the advanced A/C (both front and rear) thats used in the 2011 models. I don''t think they sell any Defenders without A/C here anyways ... only the full package models are sold here.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Posh accent, I couldnt possibly tell you the whereabouts of the 130 double cab until I have exhausted all possible routes of convincing the Mrs however as she is due to give birth in ten days; I am hoping to wear her down

If that fails then I will give you the contact details. Its a bit rough and in need of a little TLC but arent we all. My mrs tells me its not quite orange and more a sandy orange ( I am colour blind and it looks "orangey" to me). Strange colour actually and maybe similar to camel LR but it isnt camel spec before hubby gets all excited
Am sure LR made 90 tomb raiders as well as I remember seeing the shots of them at the time.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Defenders are very very rare, thats what I noticed when I lived in AS. Range Rovers and Discos otoh weren't rare. Does anyone else think that apart from reliability issues which would be similar across the LR range? , that the vast majority of Arabs and others just don't like the Defender because it doesn't coddle the occupants?

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

LR's aren't unreliable; they just need love and attention :D

I guess LR lost its market share of the Utility truck market when the japs brought out more comfortable vehicles with AC that also required less love. circa early series 3 onwards

90 & 110s and defenders are only relatively-recently lifestyle and recreational vehicles for those who want something different or for those with a little taste. Before that they generally had to work for a living and we know our friends in the sand dont like to do that either

Plus they are slower than japs, not as comfy as japs, a little noisier than japs

I guess the Defender just didnt suit the market in any way except for those who like the exotic

Would love to know if the ME is LR's biggest market for supercharged RR sports

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Defenders are probably quite rare due to the fact they are expensive, and, going back a bit to Series models, were hopelessly underpowered compared to the first Toyota Land-Cruisers (Land Rover=2.25 litre, Land-Cruiser =3.8 Litre 6 cylinder) That and the fact that a Toyota of the time (seventies) versus a British Leyland era Land Rover was a world apart in reliability, and if you find something which works, well, you tend to stick with it.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Difficult to argue with the fact that the LC70 series cruisers are reliable great trucks and the fact they are still made today for the ME and Australia says something. Difficult to love the bloated things they have become though in later generations

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

When you say expensive, I assume you are comparing Defenders to the utilitarian Land Cruisers Toyota offers? And not to Range Rovers, G-Wagons,luxo LandCruisers and Nissan Patrols.

The Defenders LR exported to the US in the early to late 90s had shoddy panel fit. I don't know if they ever sorted that out, but I think it might have something to do with Defenders being largely hand assembled

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Yes.:)

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Oh you men! Well hubby is already excited and hopes you get twins!! :fingerscrossed: That Organe color would make it a G4 model. Any idea as to the year? Whats all this about a 6 wheel fire tender? :D

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Let's see some pics:

Aftermath of sandstorm out in the Dahna dunes

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...h%20300/28.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC06387.jpg

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Sweeping on the Rally. Andrews old V8 Defender:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...0the20dune.jpg

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One of these is a Range Rover:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC06468.jpg

Rest in peace, Roger.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Has no connection whatsoever but I like the photo:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...x/DSC06220.jpg

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irich, Is that your RR? looks great, any more pics?

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

lol, definitely not a G4. Think more of a cross between orange and the Camel LRs. My mrs despairs of my colour blindness especially when dressing the two year old. What I think looks fine, apparently isnt :(

No idea on age, I just saw her sat on the side of the road and was asked if I wanted to buy it. Was the day after I had bought the RR so the Mrs wasnt exactly enthusiastic even though she loves all LR's especially series 3's.

The 6 wheel fire tender was observed driving through the middle of Manama about 3 weeks ago. In fantastic condition and looked relatively new as had late model defender cab and white wolf wheels. Havent seen any 6 wheel fire tenders based on defenders before but do remember the old 6 wheel RR classic tenders at some shows in the UK.

On a different note, I love the pics of the Stage 1 in the dessert. Very envious of the owner. Great truck and so glad to see there are quite a few series 3's floating about.

Your husband sounds like a bit of a LR genius by the way

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Not mine. I was on first refusal but lost contact with the guy. I've got a Patrol with a bleeding clutch.

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

The blue Land Rover is a 110-look at the door handles and the wheel arches.(and the windscreen surrounds and....) It LOOKS like a Stage One though, and that's what I thought it was. Just someone with good taste who's got rid of the nasty plastic 110 grille and swapped it for a Stage One front and dumped the light surrounds too.:)

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Eish I stand corrected. Didnt get past the front end. Lack of split windscreen should have given it away. Apologies. Does look nice all the same

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Sorry about that. Being an anorak is deadly dull....:)

It's not a Defender, but (I think) a Series 1 107 (might be a 109). Photo was taken in Qatar some years back. I tried to find the owner, but got nowhere.
(the SIII I had at the time wasn't much better.)

Re: Land Rover Defenders
 

Well heres my landy, pic is couple of years old. Previous owner swapped factory plain jane steel wheels for the alloys found on D90s and painted roof a very dark green (almost black).
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...b/d959a0f5.jpg