This 1985 Land Rover Defender 110 is like no other you’ve seen before. It started as a two-door hardtop and was converted into a single-cab, two-seater pickup truck by 3R Automotive in the US. This is a no-expense-spared build that stands apart thanks to the supercharged 6.2 liter LS3 V8 engine under the hood mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which allows it to drive as strong as it looks.
The original long-wheelbase two-door model was acquired in 2017 by the current owner, who churned out no less than $350,000 to turn it into arguably one of the most powerful Defender builds.
The Land Rover Defender is an iconic off-roader with a rich heritage. It was originally introduced as the “Land Rover 110 / One Ten” in 1983, denoting the wheelbase length, and it quickly won the hearts of many with its versatility, robustness, and ability to conquer any terrain. The vehicle was built on the foundation laid by the earlier Series Land Rovers but also introduced some subtle yet important changes, such as a full-length hood, revised grille, wheel arch extensions, improved suspension and brakes, and progressively more powerful engines.
The original Defender 110 of 1983 was offered with the same engine options as the Series III vehicles before it, namely 2.25-liter engines and a 3.5-liter alloy V8 that was later updated to the 3.9-liter version of the mill.
Photo: Mecum Auctions
So, 1983 marked the birth of one of the most loved 4×4 vehicles of all time, and according to the British car maker, three-quarters of the basic, original models are still in existence today, a testament to their sturdiness and durability. As many Landy enthusiasts will tell you, recycling or dumping a Defender would be a sacrilege. Instead, people are fixing them or even rebuilding and reimagining them.
The custom build in question here looks nothing like the standard Defender that rolled out of the factory in 1985. 3R Automotive (also known as 3R Racing), a Colorado-based premium classic car restoration and repair workshop founded by racing driver Robert Raub, is responsible for the modifications, and by the looks of things, they did a really good job at turning a humble Landy into a beast.
The most obvious modification relates to the vehicle’s body, which was modified to be a single-cab pickup. It was reassembled with a slew of new performance parts and a beefy engine. Finished in Pearl White with black accents, the vehicle now rides on 35×12.50″ Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires with black-finished 15″ wheels, has a black roof, a white hood with black vents, checker-plated bed flooring, and black wheel arches and bumpers.
A Warn winch up front, an alloy bash plate, and a tubular steel radiator protector complete the exterior design.
Photo: Mecum Auctions
The heart of this beast is a mighty 6.2 liter LS3 V8 crate engine from GM Performance Parts fitted with a 2.9 liter Whipple supercharger, an LS Hot camshaft, custom exhaust manifolds, and custom 3-inch exhaust. It is capable of unleashing 650 horsepower (659 ps) and helps the vehicle perform the 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) sprint in as little as 5.3 seconds. For comparison’s sake, the standard 1985 Defender delivered 113 hp (115 ps) at best, which makes this full custom build almost six times more powerful.
The LS3 V8 sends power to all four wheels through a 6L80E 6-speed automatic transmission, also sourced from GM Performance Parts, and a dual-range transfer case.
Such a powerful engine had to be paired with upgraded brakes and suspension, so 3R Automotive fitted the vehicle with TeraFlex lifted suspension front and back and Land Rover Discovery disc brakes.
Photo: Mecum Auctions
The modifications continue inside the cab, where you’ll find two Recaro bucket seats with black upholstery and houndstooth inserts. An aftermarket console with cupholders and a Powertrain Control Solutions push-button shifter on the armrest separates the driver and passenger seats.
A Puma dashboard wrapped in black leather hosts controls for the heater and Vintage Air climate control system, an Alpine double DIN stereo system, a keyless starter, and USB plugs. Also part of the interior are a Momo three-spoke steering wheel and a configurable MoTeC engine management system.
The digital odometer currently shows 2,609 miles (nearly 4,200 km), but that’s just the mileage added since completion of the project, and the actual chassis mileage is unknown.
Robust, powerful, and beautiful, this custom 1985 Land Rover Defender is a truck built to be driven, but you can also take it to a car show and win. It is what many Defender enthusiasts would consider the perfect Landy and is set to go under the hammer with Mecum at their Glendale Auction in early March, with a price guide of $140,000 – $150,000. It is offered with its refurbishment records and receipts, a dyno sheet, and a clean Colorado title.
About the Author: Ronnie Kyazze
