1996 Land Rover Defender

Stored in our Aiken, South Carolina climate-controlled showroom. To see more pictures, video, information, and our full inventory, visit us online at www.carcaveusa.com or call us at (803) 262 4742!

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With knowledgeable teams that understand the value of your unique vehicle, an accessible online form that helps you find the best terms, and a quick response time, classic car lenders can help you drive off in your dream vehicle.

Highlights

All-mechanical 300Tdi
Warn 8000-pound winch
Five-speed manual

This particular Masai Red unit came out of the Occitanie region of France. It’s said that this was used by a local fire department, and there’s some marks in the body that suggest it may have had lights or a PA system at one point too. What it does come with is a fair amount of service records from France, and even includes the original license plates. Thanks to Southern France's dry climate, this Defender comes to us with no major corrosion or rust.

Land-Rovers are known for their mechanical resilience in the harshest conditions, and this 300Tdi-powered unit is one of the main reasons why. Derived from decades of development in Land Rover diesels, the 300Tdi was polished, but still all-mechanical, no computer or other nonsense to go wrong. So much so that when the modernized TD5 diesel came out – despite all of its advancements – British Special Forces asked the Ministry of Defense to mandate that Land Rover to keep pumping out these 2.5L four-cylinder diesels for several more years, into 2006 even, because they understood that the 300Tdi was a stalwart.

Naturally, a five-speed manual sits behind it, the venerable R380 transmission. It shifts like a Lee-Endfield bolt-action chambers, with a smooth but solid action between gears, and it’s also free of any electronics to go wrong.

Apocalypse-proof Defender 90? Absolutely.

Inside the seats have been recovered with Exmoor Trim’s diamond pleated, perforated vinyl material, along with the center console. The dash and interior is in otherwise good shape after a mild refurbishment here at Car Cave. No air-conditioning from the factory, but, it does have the iconic windshield vents that blow directly through the dash. It's a straight forward interior with subtle upgrades to combat wear and tear.

We handled the bulk of the work done to this Defender 90 when it was imported and sold back in 2024. The owner wanted to trade-up to a Defender with more options instead of paying for parts and labor on upgrading this current one, so we allowed him to trade-up and bring this one back to market.

Upgrades and Features

Warn 8000-pound winch
235/85R16 BFG K02 all-terrains
Diamond plate body protection
Diamond-pleated Exmoor seat covers

Car Cave Service History

Valve adjustment
Valve cover gasket resealed
Door lock replacement
Fluids flush and filters replaced in all systems
Serpentine belt replaced
Exmoor seats installed
USB power outlet installed
Windows adjusted and lubed
Various interior trim replaced or restored