A few months ago, a wealthy individual with a head full of champagne bubbles—and possibly not much else—decided that $430,000 was a perfectly reasonable sum to pay for a nuts-and-bolts rebuild of a 1980s Santana Land Rover. The irresistible Spanish-built Land Rover (arguably the least desirable flavor) even came with a cute little camper trailer and a few Jurassic Park T. rex stickers. Take my money!
Had our well-heeled friend been a true classic Land Rover fan, they might have known that for significantly less cheddar, they could have ordered a nuts-and-bolts rebuilt Classic Defender directly from Land Rover itself. That would mean all-genuine parts, a factory-backed rebuild, and—now—styling that neatly bridges the gap between the old Defender and the new Defender, or the “Pretender,” if you happen to be a dyed-in-the-wool, stubborn old Defender loyalist.
Land Rover Classic has announced a new bespoke program that allows customers to commission a Classic Defender V8 finished in the full range of colors and trim combinations offered on the latest Defender Octa. Revealed on December 10, 2025, the initiative expands the customization options available for the Classic Defender V8, a carefully re-engineered interpretation of the original Defender that has found increasing favor among enthusiasts and collectors. While the model remains firmly rooted in the classic Defender’s shape and character, it is fitted with a Puma-era interior, introducing a welcome degree of modernity and comfort compared with earlier Tdi and Td5 cabins, without straying far from the vehicle’s utilitarian origins.
The extended palette draws direct inspiration from the Defender Octa, the high-performance variant of the current Defender lineup. Previously, Classic Defender V8 builds were available in a more limited set of hues, but the new program adds five additional exterior colors. These include Octa-exclusive Petra Copper, Faroe Green, and Sargasso Blue, alongside Narvik Black taken from the luxury-oriented Octa Black and Patagonia White. The longstanding options of Borasco Grey, Carpathian Grey, and Charente Grey are still available. All available finishes can be applied with either a traditional gloss or a newly developed satin finish, designed to visually align with the Defender Octa’s optional matte protective film.
Land Rover Classic’s Works Bespoke team carries out each Classic Defender V8 build, which begins with a donor vehicle produced between 2012 and 2016 (which, thanks to the 25-year rule, means these vehicles are not available in the US). These donor vehicles are fully restored and re-engineered at the company’s specialist facility in the United Kingdom. As part of the process, each vehicle typically spends around 300 hours in the paint shop, a period that includes careful surface preparation, precise color matching, and a final polish to achieve a high-quality finish.
Clients can specify lightweight Ultrafabrics polyurethane in Khaki Green, Light Cloud, and Lunar, alongside Burnt Sienna semi-aniline leather. To align with the darker theme of the Octa Black model, Ebony leather is also offered. Customers working with the design team can influence the placement of trim colors across the steering wheel, transmission levers, dashboard, headlining, and door panels, allowing for an interior that mirrors the aesthetic of the contemporary Octa model. Hand-trimmed heated Recaro sports seats are among the premium options available.
Beyond paint and upholstery, additional bespoke elements have been developed exclusively for these Classic Defender V8 commissions. A gloss-black radiator grille, inspired by the Defender Octa’s design, is offered to increase the open area for improved cooling. Chopped carbon fiber bonnet script is another option that aims to visually tie the classic silhouette to the modern Octa’s detailing cues.
According to statements from the Director of Land Rover Classic, Dominic Elms, the initiative responds to client demand that emerged following the launch of the Defender Octa in 2024. Elms noted that while the Defender Octa represents the most dynamically accomplished and robust Defender ever produced, the Classic Defender V8 retains a distinct character and appeal that continues to draw interest from enthusiasts. The opportunity to create a Classic Defender V8 that visually complements a new Octa model has been a frequent customer request, prompting the bespoke team to develop these additional customization offerings.
The Classic Defender V8 itself is a thoroughly re-engineered version of the original Defender. Each build incorporates a 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering performance markedly different from the donor vehicles’ original specifications, unless you drive a mapped Td5.
With pricing expected to be north of $250,000 and, as the model is unavailable in the United States, prospective buyers now have a ready-made excuse to invest in a château in Southern France, where the Classic Defender can assume its rightful role as the most impressive baguette-collecting vehicle in the village. Lord knows we would love to see one of these vehicles break the mold and find its way to an adventure in the Sahara.
Read More: Buyers Guide :: Off-Grid, Off-Road Trailers
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