R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
You mean buy a 110 here new, now? No, not at all. I had the pleasure of doing some development work on an 07 here, but it was on loan from Bovingdon and we had to send it back when we were done, where it got crushed. 
Post pictures of your Land Rover.
- Thread starter Winky
- Start date
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
What do you mean by US Defenders? New ones? There are none. Completely impossible.
TeriAnn
Explorer
500 US spec D110s were built in the UK then imported to the US for model year 1993. That's all there is. Nice examples can sell today for more than their new price.
On the other hand some gray market 110s were brought over before by individuals before the feds changed their regulations. Current regulations allow for vehicles 25 years or older to be imported. So the first of the One Tens can now be brought in. However since States set their own registration regulations it is possible to legally import a vehicle that you can not legally register in a given state.
NOTE: There are a number of Defenders, mostly 110's or 130's in the US under false registration papers. They are registered at '74 or older Series Land Rovers. Be real cautious about spending $$ for such a vehicle. It can be seized at any time the government notices the papers are bogus and you will be out every penny you spent on it. If someone says it is a Series LR rebuilt to Defender specs, don't believe it without convincing rebuild documentation.
tacomadave
Adventurer
Well, if you want a 70 series Land Cruiser you'd be out of luck there too! haha.
Snagger
Explorer
We get some of that in the UK, where defenders or RR hybrids with Series body shells are illegally given pre 1973 registrations to avoid road tax. It's easy to spot - any vehicle with a modified chassis loses its original identity, so all hybrids are out for a start. As for the idea of building a Defender to series spec, that's plain ridiculous when people make that claim - there are a handful of shared components, like the front diff carrier, wheel bearings (on post 1980 SIIIs) and light units, but that about all - the only matching body panels are the rear quarter panels of the hard tops (with the small windows) and the tub panels directly below them (1983 88s only, due to the light positions), the front panels in the wings and the bulkhead vent flaps. Everything else is different. Structurally and mechanically, they are very different indeed, and almost nothing Defender will fit a Series.
The big problem with a vehicle on false registration is not what happens if the authorities find out (confiscation would probably only be the start), but what happens in an accident. Your insurance will most certainly be void, so anyone you hurt won't be covered by your insurance for medical care, any third party property damaged or destroyed won't be covered, and the insurers will have you prosecuted for fraud.
Even if a fraud prosecution fails, you'll end up on an insurance black list, unable to insure anything, including your house, health or life except by specialist and expensive companies that deal specifically with fraud convicts, and you'll be on a credit blacklist, unable to get loans, mortgages and so on.
In all, it's just not worth the risk.
TeriAnn
Explorer
I have to disagree there. I've found Defenders to be a great parts resource.
Right now my 1960 109 has:
- Early Euro spec One Ten front outer wing panels
- Defender anti burst door latches
- Defender one piece door seals
- Defender tail gate
- Defender rear fog lamp
- Defender 2 speed windscreen wiper motor
- Range Rover Classic differential carrier up front
I know some people who have installed entire Defender front clips on their Series or Defender inner wing panels to get additional space for an engine conversion.
If Defender seats were cheaper in the US, I would likely have installed Defender front seats.
I've found Defenders to be excellent parts sources. Which is becoming increasingly important as Series parts are being discontinued.
RoverMack
Adventurer
Not accurate
see attached photo of a TD5 defender at the local dog park in Santa Monica this afternoon, currently listed on ebay, and i know of at least one other black 110 TD5 in ca
michaels
Explorer
impossibly by LRNA, but i have driven 1998+ trucks several times. they are here and they are awesome. the TD5 is a GREAT engine.
TeriAnn
Explorer
Being here and being here with honest clear accurate papers tend to be very different things. There are a lot of nice Defenders running around registered as Series trucks, & some US spec Defenders that have been upgraded to non US specs of D90's converted to D110's.
TeriAnn
michaels
Explorer
the ones i have driven are legally here with all the necessary paperwork. registered, titled, insured, etc... and not as series trucks.
although i have seen a couple vin swaps before...they're sketchy at best.
TeriAnn
Explorer
Being here and being here with honest clear accurate papers tend to be very different things. There are a lot of nice Defenders running around registered as Series trucks, & some US spec Defenders that have been upgraded to non US specs of D90's converted to D110's.
This thread is supposed to be about LR pictures, so more pictures & less talk!
Below, 24 hours earlier:
TeriAnn
Right on! Sorry about the drive way pics but I just got the RTT mounted up and thought I'd post up a few pics. Its an OasisII but it has the weather cover on it.
http://s490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/mnfeo2/
Hope it works because I couldn't upload for some reason.
