1986 Land Rover Defender 110

1986 Land Rover Defender Description

Up for auction: My 1986 Land Rover Defender 110 Tithonus. This is a righthand-drive former British military (ex MOD) vehicle that was restored around 2008 by the British government as a part of the Tithonus program. I don't have paperwork on this restoration. But it definitely got a fresh coat of semi-gloss green paint on just about every surface. It also has pretty low miles (note that odometer in picture is in kilometers, not miles). So that, combined with its having undergone restoration, leaves it in pretty great shape.

In the restoration, it got new Exmoor front seats and jump seats, and a roll-bar system. I have removed the rear bars because they were too tall to fit in my garage. But I still have them and will include them with the sale. I have pics of it with all the bars on, if you want to see them.

I was told it was a radio truck for the British military. The previous owner removed the 24-volt alternator that came on the truck. It still retains a few features from that military life like auxiliary power hookup behind the front seats. But almost everything else has been removed. I have added things since I've owned it, like a Ships bull bars (from Ships Mechanical Services in Portland, Oregon), WARN ZEON Platinum Winch and auxiliary lights, new diamond plating on wing tops and at the rear, and canvas bikini top. I also have a set of mix-matched aluminum sides and an aluminum top (pictured in the last photo). They're in rough shape but will be included with the truck. I also have a full-size rear door that came with the truck when I bought it.

This is not a Michigan vehicle in the traditional sense and never driven in a Michigan winter. I just relocated in October to Michigan from Los Angeles, where I purchased this truck from the owner of a Land Rover shop where it had been regularly serviced. I've kept up on service as needed. However, it really hasn't needed much. I did have a new custom exhaust installed earlier this year along with softer rear springs (I still have the originals). It also got a new battery last week.

Everything seems to be in great working order. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine runs like a top, and is actually pretty peppy. It doesn't have a lot of power, but can easily do 65 mph on a straight freeway. I get about 29 MPG with it. The 5-speed manual gearbox is shifts relatively smoothly, though the clutch is a bit heavy. The high and low gearing for the 4x4 system work without issue. The brakes are strong and brake straight. The non-power steering is heavy when not moving, as you might expect, on asphalt. When it the truck starts rolling, the steering is light and manageable.

Aside from the winch that I added, the truck has essentially no accessories. It has headlights ... and that's about it. One high beam is burned out. I didn't address it, though, since I have the WARN aux lights that are infinitely brighter. While it's not a plush vehicle, it's simplicity makes it, as the previous owner described it, "dead reliable." And it has been for me. Being an '80s Land Rover, the engine does leak a bit of oil. It's really a small seepage, though, from what I can tell.

I am sad to see this one go, but last month I relocated from sunny L.A. to Michigan and I'd rather see this beauty go to a home where it can be driven rather than stored in a garage half the year. You might notice it's registered in Montana. That was a trick us Californians used to get around SMOG laws. I have a clear Montana title.

I have a lot more pictures that I'm happy to email along with a link to a YouTube video I shot today of the engine at idle. I am happy to shoot more photos and videos if you'd like. Just let me know and I'll do my best to accommodate any questions or requests you might have. Happy bidding!

Video:https://youtu.be/2FHecawl5YA

VIN: SALLDHAC7BA261556

On Nov-12-16 at 15:15:20 PST, seller added the following information:

I forgot to mention that the truck does have a working heater.