For more than 30 years, the good folks at Pannhorst Classics have lived and breathed classic cars, maintaining, restoring, and sourcing dream rides from all over the globe. Helmed by Dino Pannhorst, across over three decades of business they’ve found some incredible oddities — like a 928 disguised as a Volkswagen Golf — but, like all of us, they also have a deep passion for the classic icons we all know and love. In the spotlight today is a freshly-restored Land Rover Defender 90 from 2003, which you’ll soon discover has more than a few attributes that could turn the daily grind into a diesel-powered dream.
In production in more or less the same form for 67 years, starting with the Series 1 in 1948 and culminating in the last Defender to roll off the production line in January 2016, it’s safe to say Land Rover produced a fair few of these dependable off-roaders with over two million leaving the factory. However, between endurance events like the Camel Trophy, excursions deep into the world’s most remote jungles, and hard labour on farms and construction sites, very few Defenders enjoyed an easy life on the road, making the task of finding a decent example more difficult than one might think. Adding to this challenge is the wildly different new Defender, which for many doesn’t satisfy the same needs as the trusty original, making the classic version more sought-after with each passing day.
If a Defender is on your vehicular bucket list, then, it’s probably wise to waste as little time as possible in acquiring one, and luckily this freshly-overhauled example from 2003 is an absolute peach. Pannhorst Classics have treated this Defender to a full restoration and a host of optimisations to bring it in line with their exacting standards.
Completely disassembled and stripped before the body and frame were restored, this Defender now presents in the gorgeous yet understated shade of Belize Green with matching wheels, offset marvellously agains the custom-made cream soft top. Don’t think this is some overly-sanitised classic either, with the Defender’s classic charm still on full display in subtle undulations in the aluminium sheet work and handcrafted rivets.
Under the bonnet, you’ll find that the widely-revered 118 horsepower 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder diesel power plant has been treated to a full overhaul alongside the transmission and axles, ensuring reliability won’t be one of your concerns if you’re lucky enough to drive this Defender home. One other worry that might cross your mind after looking at these captivating images is that the luxurious retrimmed beige leather interior might prove tricky to keep clean during your next off-road outing. We’re pleased to report that you need fret not, because Pannhorst Classics have opted for synthetic leather that offers easy cleaning without sacrificing style or durability.
As we’re sure you can tell, Pannhorst Classics have left no stone unturned in their quest to transform this Defender, and everything from the snap fasteners holding down the custom soft top to the brass bolts appears absolutely immaculate. In its previous life, this Defender had covered an impressively low 135,053 kilometres, but the odometer may as well read zero based on this car’s sterling condition.
With summer upon us, now is the perfect time to add one of these ever more desirable off-road icons to your garage. Undeniably more appealing than the new Defender in Land Rover showrooms today and free from the connotations that rivals like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class carry, this 2003 Defender is ready to make your next camping excursion, trip to the beach, or run to the pub a cherished memory. Should you be in the market, this Defender is available to view by appointment at the Pannhorst Classics showroom in Gütersloh, Germany.
