(2020) DEFENDER 90 vs LAND ROVER 90 (1988)
Rufty tufty, cool as you like, proper transport... 30 years apart
HOW FAR APART ARE THESE TWO?
Over 70 years would be stretching it, since the older one here only dates back to 1988, rather than 1948. As an original 90 V8, (OK, mostly original, it shouldn’t sport a Defender badge), it’s a fourthgen car, and even back then the worm was turning. All those who say the new Defender has lost the essence and authenticity of the original, need to have a proper delve into the back catalogue.
WHY’S THAT?
Land Rover has not switched from agricultural tool to recreational vehicle overnight. Thirty years ago, this 90 Station Wagon, with two rows of seats, was marketed as a family car. Remember the County versions? Softer trim, cassette players, headlamp wash/ wipe? They were aimed at a new audience. The difference back then was Land Rover had other versions: open back pickups, farm and fieldwork adapted models, to cater for all those rural needs. But the seeds had been sown.
IS THE NEW ONE AUTHENTIC, THEN?
In that it comes from the same company that developed and delivered the original, yes. But it needs to prove itself, and there’s now no longer any uncharted territory to discover, and very few farmers will be looking at it as a replacement for their Japanese pickups. Too much money, too precious. The car world has moved on and the new Defender, cool though it is, is in danger of looking flaky. One for Instagram explorers rather than Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
IS IT AS TOUGH AS THE OLD ONE UNDERNEATH?
Substantially tougher, if Land Rover is to be believed. It’s what the firm refers to as a category 4B vehicle, which means it’s been engineered to a higher level of robustness and durability than any production car the company has made before – including the old one. It’s only one notch down from full military specification.
BUT THE OLD ONE IS TOUGH, RIGHT?
It’s mainly tough on you, to be honest. You sit somehow twisted in the seat, contorted not only by your surroundings, but the stress of trying to get some feeling back into your buttocks. Then there’s the noise. The old Rover V8 sounds like a Cobra, and that’s aural bliss. For about a minute. Then it’s assault. The diesel is much worse. It’s also unsteady on its wheels and the cabin contains enough sharp, threatening, hard levers and edges to make you realise you’d be less at risk wearing a heavily magnetised jacket through Knives ’n’ Darts R Us during an earthquake. I suspect both will go where you need, but the old one is more customisable for bog-swampers, and will wear any scuffs, scars and knocks with pride, while the new one will do its best to isolate and soothe you. For what it’s worth, I love the old one, but I want to own a new one.