There are a few off-road-ready SUVs out there, but very few are as iconically designed and well-versed as the Land Rover Defender. A car that has been driven by farmers and royalty alike and served numerous military purposes, while also making for one of the best overland camping build platforms.
The Defender is a uniting piece of British culture. And unfortunately for US customers, they are restricted to a few types of Defenders to choose from. If you want to buy a USA-spec Defender, they were officially sold up to 1997. And if you want a later model, then you have to import one from the UK, but for which again you'll have to wait for it to be 25 years old.
The Defender's reincarnation has been an instant hit, with thousands of orders coming in worldwide, especially from the US, where the previous one was so rare. Let's take a look at some Land Rover history and decipher why the defender stopped being built stateside, and what your options are if you want a later car.
Updated August 2022: We have updated this article with more information regarding the hurdles of importing and buying a Land Rover Defender made after 1997. We also give you the good news on the 1998 Defender soon getting exempted and legal to import, as it will be 25 years old in 2023!
Buying/Importing A Classic Defender In The USA
So, now you know the rich history of the Defender, you know that there are only 4 years to choose from if you want one. However, as is the case with any imported vehicle, as soon as they turn 25 years old, they're ready to come to the states. So if you want an early defender you're in luck, you can import them no problem. Although it must be said that prices are going up due to the collectability value of these, so best to act fast if you want an early car.
However, if you're looking for a Defender to daily drive and keep as a forever car, which they are all quite capable of handling, you'll want a car post-2007 and ideally post-2012. These cars benefit from a host of cosmetic and engine features that make them miles easier to live with than their older brothers. If you're serious about importing one then there's a great guide found here with all you need to know.
Also, with 2023 around the corner, we can now finally import the 1998 Defender legally. The Defender is an icon. And it's a lovable one at that, from the deepest mud on British farms to the glimmering lights of central London, it's a stylish yet practical workhorse that has one of the toughest reputations in the motoring world.
When the time comes that the newer cars can be imported, you can expect values to skyrocket, so best to be early to the party. As of now, the 1997 Land Rover Defenders are fetching a lot of money, with average selling prices well over $70,000. Classic.com sold a '97 Defender for $165,200, their highest sale value for the SUV.
History Of The Land Rover Defender
During the aftermath of World War 2, the Rover Car Company had problems. The whole of Europe was recovering and there wasn't any demand for the sort of luxury cars Rover had been known for making in the past. Instead, they developed the first Land Rover.
A vehicle with a focus on agriculture and utility, a four-wheel-drive truck with a steel frame and an aluminum body. It went into production in 1948 and what would come to be known as the Land Rover Series I was born. It was offered in various configurations that differed in wheelbase, door count, and body style to suit as many needs as possible.
A Series II Land Rover made its debut 10 years after in 1958. Its exterior design remained much the same and featured the same inboard headlights and boxy profile as the Series I but added a pronounced shoulder line running the length of the vehicle.
For the first time, luxury options like door cards and side mirrors were available. It wasn't until 1971 that Land Rover released the Series III. Headlights were moved away from the grille out to the fenders, which is an easy way of telling the Series III apart from its predecessors.
In 1979, a V-8-powered model was introduced and due to the V-8's size, Land Rover was forced to push the grille forward and flush with the front fenders to accommodate it, accidentally giving the SUV's front end the boxy shape that would become synonymous with the Defender for the next 35 years.
Distinguishing Itself From The Others
That iconic design carried over to the Land Rover One-Ten and Land Rover Ninety (badged later than 110 and 90) introduced in 1983.
This marked the first time a Land Rover utilized coil-spring suspension taken from the Range Rover as a much-needed replacement for the old car's ancient leaf-spring design.
To compliment several luxury improvements came along, like a more comfortable interior and modernized engine selection meant that the car was more livable during on-road driving too.
Dawn Of The Iconic Name
The Defender name officially came to life in 1990, after the introduction of the Land Rover Discovery in 1989. The Defender was sold in the U.S. for just four years from 1993 to 1997.
It was effectively the same vehicle as the 110 and the 90 and remained largely unchanged apart from a few updated powertrains and special edition models until 2007, at which point it received an interior redesign.
In 2012, it received its final engine updates to coincide with new emissions regulations. And then, the last Defender rolled off the Gaydon production line in January 2016.
Sources: Land Rover, Bring a Trailer, Collecting Cars