NINETY/ONE TEN

1983 TO 1990

DEFENDERS in all but name, the first coil-sprung utilities gave you the choice of a sluggish diesel or a thirsty petrol V8 until the unreliable 85 bhp turbodiesel arrived in 1986. Many – perhaps most – have now been retro-fitted with later Tdi engines, which makes sense if you wantto keep up with modern traffic. Good ones defy the years and there’s no shortage of spares. Prices are rising, not least because original examples over 25 years old can be exported to the USA.

BUYER’S TIP: Great value Defender precursors.

SPECIFICATIONS

1983-1985: Engines as Series III/ Stage One V8. LT77 five-speed fitted to four-cylinder models.

1985-1990: 2.5-litre petrol, 80 bhp, 129 lb-ft torque; 2.5 diesel, 68 bhp, 113 lb-ft; 3.5 V8 petrol, 113 bhp, 185 lb-ft, 134 bhp from 1986. LT85 five-speed fitted to V8 models.

PRICE GUIDE

Poor: £4000 – £5000

Average: £5000 – £6000

Good: £6000 – £7000

Excellent: £7000 – £12,000