Before Land Rover named it Defender, it was the Ninety. That’s where the heritage begins. Our 1988 Ninety is in the final stages of a nut-and-bolt restoration in our workshop. It will be finished in about three months: a soft top, ready for spring.
A Defender restored to this standard usually comes with a waiting list measured in years, and a price to match. This one is already well over 1,000 hours into its build, and it’s offered at a fraction of that. Its original chassis has been hot-dip galvanized with the VIN preserved, the 200Tdi rebuilt with its Garrett turbo, the transfer case rebuilt with Ashcroft parts, and the body painted panel by panel in Polymetal Grey metallic. Inside, it’s finished in distressed brown leather with a teak cargo deck.
Details
| Price | €72,000 (USD and CAD quotes on request). How buying works → |
|---|---|
| Status | In final build. Completion early 2027, ready for spring |
| Model | Land Rover 90, soft top (Chocolate Thermoblock), full and half door sets |
| Build type | Nut-and-bolt restoration |
| Year | 1988 |
| Registration | EU registered |
| Engine | 2.5L 200Tdi diesel, rebuilt, Garrett turbo |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual; LT230 transfer case rebuilt with Ashcroft kit and heavy-duty cross-pin |
| Steering | Left-hand drive |
| Colour | Polymetal Grey metallic |
| Interior | Distressed brown leather, black leather dash, teak cargo deck |
| Air-conditioning | No |
| Chassis | Original chassis, hot-dip galvanized, VIN preserved |
| Mileage | TMU (true mileage unknown) |
| Labour | Over 1,000 hours |
| Import eligibility | Clears the US 25-year and Canada 15-year import rules |
Build Highlights
Chassis: Original chassis hot-dip galvanized, VIN preserved. Galvanized tub cappings and teak-tread side steps. Rebuilt axles and differentials, BOGE shocks, Geomet-coated discs. Cupronickel brake lines and braided stainless steel PTFE fuel lines.
Drivetrain: 200Tdi rebuilt with Garrett turbo and stainless exhaust. LT230 transfer case rebuilt with an Ashcroft kit and heavy-duty Ashcroft cross-pin. Hardy Spicer HD prop shafts.
Electrics: Original chassis loom tested and re-wrapped, with Lucas-style bullet connectors. Clear LED indicators. Genuine Land Rover front wing harnesses with sealed, OE-grade connectors.
Body: Painted panel by panel in Polymetal Grey metallic, inside and out. Galvanized door frames reskinned in aluminium. Wolf wheels, headlight surrounds and wheel arches all painted to match. Nakatanenga Heritage grille, Optimill billet vent grilles, natural aluminium bulkhead vent mesh, plated wheel nuts. Heavy-duty galvanized roll hoops under a chocolate Thermoblock soft top, secured with stainless sailboat rope cleats.
Interior: Seats in distressed brown leather, fluted and double-stitched, with hand-stitched visors and door cards to match. Dash and knee guard re-covered in genuine leather, replacing the original vinyl in its original black. Wool berber front floor mats with leather binding. Rear benches hot-dip galvanized. Teak cargo deck, built in-house. Original cubby box rebuilt with a dock for a Marshall Bluetooth speaker.
Design flaws we fixed
- Original chassis galvanized inside and out, VIN preserved
- Tub cappings replaced with galvanized caps
- Heavy-duty Ashcroft cross-pin in the transfer case
- Heavy-duty hood sticks
From the workshop
The build so far, from the original chassis, galvanized, up. Read the full build story →
Reserve it now
Reserve the Ninety today and it’s yours when the last bolt goes in, ready for the first warm days of spring. Book a live video walk-around and we’ll show you any part of the truck, underneath included, or have an independent inspector of your choice see it in person. See how buying works →
Even better than the pictures.
Book a walk-around on WhatsApp → or leave your details
Delivery
We deliver across Europe, North America and beyond. For the US and Canada, our partner Brad handles import and registration, and has brought Defenders into both countries. Quotes there include an estimate of import duties and taxes, and the truck ships insured for its full retail value at no charge. See how delivery to the US and Canada works →
Ask about the Ninety
Leave your name and email and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours, or message us on WhatsApp.