Spec & equipment

Having morphed from the 110 and 90 (from 1983 and 1984 respectively; the numbers referred to their wheelbases), early Defenders made from September 1990 were offered with the first-generation 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine, featuring an alloy cylinderhead, mechanical direct-injection and an intercooler – the same 200Tdi unit used in the Discovery. You might find some ex-military vehicles with the old naturally-aspirated 2.5 diesel engine, which is strong but will feel very slow.

The station-wagon County model was reintroduced in 1992 and the first special edition – the 90SV – arrived with a revised soft-top arrangement, metallic paint and alloys, as well as the Range Rover’s rear axle with disc brakes. The last of these became standard with the arrival of the 300Tdi in 1993.

Despite offering similar performance to its predecessor, the 300Tdi boasted reduced emissions, more torque and increased refinement. A new five-speed gearbox replaced the old Leyland LT77 gearbox which first saw service in 1983. Both of these early units drive well, but being under-geared, they aren’t likely to be as comfortable as later models on motorway journeys. The fact that the interior is very basic and there’s little in the way of sound-deadening adds to the feeling of austerity.

The 300Tdi was replaced by the 122bhp Td5 in 1998. Featuring an all-new five-cylinder turbodiesel derived from the Rover L Series, it was the last Land Rover engine to power a Defender. Performance is superior to its Tdi predecessor and, overall, it feels more refined.