We have a deep admiration for the current Land Rover Defender, yet it undeniably pays homage to the iconic original. That classic Land Rover, with its distinctive square edges, graced the automotive scene in various iterations from 1948 to 2016. Today, we’re excited to showcase a gem on Bring a Trailer, a 1994 Defender 90 convertible in a striking yellow hue boasting a mere 38,000 miles.
The Defender brand was conceived specifically for the U.S., drawing inspiration from Land Rover’s esteemed reputation with the British military. It first gained prominence with the introduction of the coil-sprung model in 1990. Prior to that, the Land Rover models were designated solely by their wheelbase in inches—90, 110, or 130. While the Defender marked a significant advancement from the earlier leaf-sprung Land Rover, it retained a rugged simplicity, featuring live axles at both ends and permanent four-wheel drive through a two-speed transfer case.
Defenders destined for North America underwent substantial modifications to comply with rollover protection standards, including the addition of full external cages. Powering these vehicles was a 3.9-liter iteration of Rover’s enduring pushrod V-8, originally a Buick engine. In the 1994 Defender, this engine produced 182 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, delivering a sprightly zero-to-60mph time of 10.2 seconds in the five-speed manual version.
The Defender lineup in North America offered both hardtop and softtop variants. Our featured find on Bring a Trailer is a convertible, resplendent in AA Yellow—a color shared with the iconic breakdown service vans of the UK during that era. Despite subtle modifications like LED headlights and taillights, the vehicle maintains a largely standard appearance. Noteworthy imperfections include a missing speaker cover on the driver’s door, cracked trim around the hood release catch, and a fading rearview mirror.
It’s worth noting that this Defender lacks air conditioning, a consideration for potential buyers in warmer states. Currently located in Florida, retrofitting air conditioning is a viable option.
North America-spec Defenders, like the 1994 model in question, are a rare and sought-after breed. With just over 7,000 units sold between 1994 and 1997, sales ceased due to airbag regulations. While European-spec Defenders are increasingly making their way stateside under the 25-year rule, this particular Defender stands as a genuine original, embodying the essence of a bygone era.