Built on the 16th November 1999 in Solihull, England as an export vehicle destined for Land Rover France, it was first registered on the 10th January which gave it its 2000 year registration. The Defender had change of owner early in its life in 2003, but it was the next owner that kept the vehicle up until 2022 accrued the vast majority of the mileage, selling it on at 108,000 kilometres. We purchased the Defender from the owner of a Land Rover franchise in Northern France, who kept the vehicle at his weekend house away from Paris. It has now covered just 117,000 km or around 72,500 miles.

Finished in Coniston Green with an Alpine White roof, it now features a set of colour-coded Wolf Steel wheels with a set of BF Goodrich AllTerrain KO2 tyres, our preferred all terrain tyre. Being a 2000MY vehicle it features a Techno Grey Cloth interior, which is one of our favourites. Having left the factory as a high specification, it featured colour-coded wheel arches, carpeting throughout the interior, tinted window glass and a sunroof. Externally the Defender is in superb condition benefiting from a complete body repaint. To ensure the best possible finish, the body was partially disassembled and the glass removed. The previous owner fitted a new later-style rear door, presumably as he owned the dealership accessing new parts was a very easy exercise! The earlier doors are notorious for corrosion and cracked frames, so this is a fantastic upgrade! It still has its original Wipac Quadopic Headlights, LEP side lights, brake lights and indicators, and Britax door mirrors. It features all the original factory-tinted window glass. The Defender was fitted from the factory with a folding rear step, which has been renewed, and a ‘Land Rover’ factory tow hook and mud flaps. As with all our Defenders the exterior hardware has been replaced with stainless steel variants where appropriate, and the wheel nuts are also now stainless steel.

The interior is in fabulous condition, and while it has only covered 72,000 miles, the condition of the interior would have you believe that it has covered just a fraction of that!  It features seating for seven people, with three seats in the front, and four individual rear seats. All seats have factory fitted seat belts. It was fitted with grey carpeting throughout, rather than the more utilitarian rubber mats, and these are all in lovely original condition. As one of its factory options, the Defender was fitted with the Land Rover branded cassette stereo system, which it still retains today. The original headlining was just starting to hang down, which at this age irrespective of mileage they all start to, so it was decided to retrim it in light Grey synthetic suede..

The engine bay, unsurprisingly, is in lovely original condition. Naturally, some components have been replaced over its 25 year life in line with regular maintenance, however, the condition is quite exceptional with most of the original stickers and plated metal finishes still in place. The chassis is in very good condition as might be expected, with all the original factory markings and stampings very clearly visible. It still has its original springs and ‘Land Rover’ shock absorbers. We have upgraded the steering arms for heavy duty versions and fitted a Bilstein steering damper.

Since entering our ownership the Defender has covered just shy of 600km, or around 350 miles and it drives beautifully with plenty of power! All the oils (engine, gearbox, transfer case and differentials) have been replaced, as well as the coolant and brake fluid. It has a great annual inspection history or Controle Technique back to 2003 when the system started, which also shows its mileage accrue throughout its life. It has its two original sets of keys including the factory immobiliser remotes, its original book pack, wheel brace and jack, and even its original tool kit with all the tools still in their original plastic packaging!!

Inquire today on Fourbie Exchange, or visit pangaeaclassics.com for more information