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1997 Land Rover Defender

The 1997 Land Rover Devender 90 was powered by a 4-liter V8 engine developing 182 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a 4-speed ZF automatic transmission and had a Land Rover 2-speed LT 230 Transfer Box with a manually lockable center differential. The chassis was comprised of a 14-gauge boxed steel ladder frame with ten rubber body mounts. The body was a steel bulkhead with aluminum body panels and a standard full safari cage. Upfront there is a solid axle with coil springs, a Panhard rod, radius arms, telescoping shocks, and an anti-sway bar. The rear had a similar setup, except an 'A-frame' unit replaced the Panhard rod. The steering was a power-assisted Worm and Roller with 3.75 turns lock-to-lock and a 40 feet turning circle radius.

In the front, there were vented disc brakes measuring 11.75 inches. The back had solid discs that were 11.42 inches. There was also a parking brake drum on the transfer box output shaft.

All the vehicles were sold with 'optional' 7 x 16 alloy wheels, B.F. Goodrich 265/75R16 all-terrain tires. The audio system was a cubby-box mounted 72-watt Clarion AM/FM stereo cassette with four weather-resistant speakers.

The Defender had a 92.9-inch wheelbase and a 15.6-gallon fuel tank.

by Dan Vaughan

SUV
Chassis number: SALDV3249VA106154

Land Rover introduced the Defender in 1983 and endowed it with many modern features, including coil-spring suspension, full-time four-wheel-drive borrowed from the Range Rover, an updated interior, a one-piece windscreen, and a new series of more powerful engines.

This particular NAS Defender 90 is equipped with a 3,950cc V-8 engine with Bosch Fuel Injection and delivers 182 horsepower at 4,750 RPM. There is a four-speed ZF automatic transmission and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes.

This Defender 90 was originally sold by Willow Grove Land Rover to its first owner in Pennsylvania, who retained it until 2021, using it sparingly and adding just 27,500 miles to the odometer. This final-year North American specification example is finished in Coniston Green and remains in spectacular condition throughout.

by Dan Vaughan