1986 Land Rover Defender Has 21st Century Luxury CarBuzz News Features New Cars Used Cars Sell My Car Shopping Tools Car Reviews Car Finder Compare Cars Best Cars Car Dealerships Used Car Reviews Car Advice Home News 1986 Land Rover Defender Has 21st Century Luxury
1986 Land Rover Defender Has 21st Century Luxury
Apr. 15, 2020 12:40 PM ET by Karl Furlong Classic Cars / 1 Comment Osprey Custom Cars deserves a round of applause for this one. Few owners of a car or SUV built within the last five years would complain about the astounding advances in quality, driver-assistance technologies, and infotainment convenience. What they may complain about is a certain charm and endearing simplicity found in older models that are often lacking in newer cars. Osprey Custom Cars have shown that both the old and new can be combined with its latest build, namely, a thoroughly modernized 1986 Land Rover Defender 110. It's not the first time that Osprey, a company based in North Carolina, has impressed us. Recently, it unveiled a pristine 1995 Land Rover Defender. Like that one, the '86 was - and still is - renowned for its remarkable off-road prowess, but the barebones interior has been a bit difficult to accept by deep-pocketed customers whom set their sights on these rugged utility vehicles. Osprey corrects this with a total makeover. As such, this '86 Defender was taken apart right down to the frame, which was then galvanized and powder-coated. Osprey Custom Cars Osprey Custom Cars Osprey Custom Cars New body panels, a revamped suspension, and upgraded Terrafirma shocks were added, too. While it still looks instantly identifiable as the original from the outside, Osprey elected to replace the original's drivetrain, fitting the refreshed 110 with GM's LS3 engine, producing 465 horsepower in this application. In fact, it would take much more than the space we have here to highlight all the mechanical upgrades, including a dual Magnaflow performance exhaust system. It wouldn't be a true Land Rover Defender if it couldn't handle the rough stuff, so the revived 110 also has heavy-duty front/rear axles, a Terrafirma front skid plate, and a Terrafirma stage 3 lift kit. Outside, the tough looks remain but the upgrade introduces a new hood and doors, an SVX-style front end, and rock sliders. Osprey Custom Cars Osprey Custom Cars The cabin is a big step forward over the original, with leather seating for seven, a custom center console, and new trim. Back in 1986, owners wouldn't have known what to do with features like the Kenwood audio system with DVD, Bluetooth, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. A backup camera has been added, too, with the latter being a requirement on all new vehicles sold in the US. Of course, there are some limits to what Osprey could do with such an old design, so the Defender still lacks airbags and modern driver aids, but it's an otherwise stunning update that will warm the hearts of older Land Rover owners while also impressing younger adventurers. "We've rebuilt this truck from the ground up with all the finest components and finishes," said a proud Aaron Richardet, the owner and co-founder of Osprey Custom Cars. While its $189,950 price tag is a lot of money, and could buy you an almost fully loaded 2020 Range Rover, it's hard to put a price on a classic that has been so tastefully and comprehensively whisked into the present day. Osprey Custom Cars Join The Discussion
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Land Rover Defender Land Rover Range Rover Sport Karl Furlong Senior Editor Sweaty-palmed hot laps are fun, but Karl is a gearhead cut from a different cloth - or is that finely stitched Nappa leather? An E23 BMW 7 Series was the first car he fell madly in love with three decades ago, and this affection for Autobahn-conquering luxury sedans has persisted. Following studies in copywriting and journalism, along with stints in TV scriptwriting and marketing that had far too little to do with cars, Karl kept the fire burning by writing for automotive websites on the side, including a Florida-based auto repair shop and another for Porsche enthusiasts. It all came together when he joined CarBuzz in 2019. He has penned some of the latest news, reviews, and features ever since. Contact Karl @FuelAffection LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top