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1993 NAS Defender 110 Station Wagon #132/500 Restoration
Project: No Apologies
From this: (NAS 110 #132 shown during tear down process)
To this: (NAS 110 #132 after ECR restoration)
How would you like to step back in time to the Fall of 1992 and be able to buy a new 1993 NAS Defender 110 Wagon? That might not be possible, but we have something even better! Here is the story of how this 110 (shown above) came to be.
Some time ago our friends at Copley Motor Cars called us with a challenge that was based on what their customers routinely ask for. "I would like a Defender 110 with no apologies" (meaning no flaws, no issues, no rust, no corrosion), their customers would say, but as all 1993 NAS Defender 110s are all getting on in years that is hardly possible today. They all have flaws, or corrosion, or rust, or poor paint work, so it isn't possible to get a "no apologies" NAS Defender 110... or is it?
Copley laid down the challenge to ECR, build a "no apologies Defender 110". That sounded pretty interesting to us, but if we were going to do this, we wanted to make it better, not just a repeat of the original. Some things would have to out do the stock NAS 110. Items like the air condition system would have to be better. The stock system was basically a joke, so we would want to update it to the better, newer system. The rear drum brakes would also have to go in favor of new 4 wheel power disc brakes and so on.
Copley agreed and gave us the ability to create the 110 with only one limitation, "keep it looking stock". So the 4 inch suspension lift and the AA yellow paint we wanted to do was put on the shelf for another day... but they didn't say we couldn't change what lies under the skin. They just said make it "stock looking", more on that later.
This project is unique because in all of ECR's projects we are always working for a customer. That customer has things he/she wants done, and things they don't mind leaving "as was". As nice as some of the 110s that have left ECR have been, some parts of them are always left untouched as per the owners request. In this project that would not be the case. Everything was to be new... "no apologies". To that end a 1993 Defender 110, #132/500, was purchased, and then taken apart to its smallest piece. Each piece was restored to new factory specs, and if it couldn't meet those specs, it was replaced with a brand new Genuine Land Rover part, a true restoration, with nothing left untouched. This 110 has truly been restored to new condition, from wheel bearings to wiring.
Now back to that "stock looking" business. We agreed that we would not mount all the winches, lights and lockers that we usually do to a 110 on this project, but that didn't mean we would not mess with what doesn't make it look different. So we tossed the gas eating, hot running, 3.9 EFI V8 and installed a 300 Tdi (turbo diesel) engine. The old LT77 gearbox was ditched in favor of a new R380. The troublesome old AC system was removed and a new AC system installed along with a new updated dash. 4 wheel disc brakes were added, new Michelin tires, updated door hinges and more. The frame was replaced, new doors, new headliners, new paint and we even powder coated the safari cage in satin black (just because we like that look better than the white cage). We even went as far as to think about all the small aspects of 110 ownership and installed 2 interior lights, and cup holders that actually work.
After all this time, this project is now complete. Every light bulb, every nut, every bolt has been replaced and we are now proud to show you the re-birth of NAS 110 #132/500.
It is by far the best 1993 NAS 110 in the USA. It has "no apologies" and is far superior to even the lowest mileage stock 110 in many, many ways.
At this stage the 110 is complete, but the new owners want some upgrades. So we will now modify the Defender 110 to better suite their needs. Go here for details of the upgrades.
Here are some photos of this amazing 110:
Front view
Rear view.
Rear view, other side.
Updated rear door and rear door panel.
3.9 EFI V8 removed, and a new 300 Tdi (turbo diesel) installed. All mechanical parts are new, not rebuilt.
Note: Diamond plate wing top guards are for fender protection while we work in the engine bay, to protect the new paint. They will not be on the completed Rover.
Underneath is as nice as the top.
Updated Air Conditioning and center radio mount.
All new wring and gauges and seating.
All new headliners and an added second interior light for more light in the cargo area and the factory self-dimming rear view mirror.
These 2 images are ones we took so you can compare the typical 110 that arrives at ECR with this 110. As you can see there is no rust, no corrosion anywhere.
Sills are rust free as are the doors. Compare these images with other NAS 110 we have worked on in the Defender 110 work section.
The ECR restoration of NAS 110 #132 is already sold. It now resides in Montana with Matt and Heather.
If you are looking for a "no apologies" Defender 110 of your own, there is only one way to get one... contact Copley Motor Cars to purchase the next available ECR restored NAS 110.
East Coast Rover Co.
21 Tolman Road
Warren, ME 04864
email: ecrover@midcoast.com