Introducing Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke

Clients can now specify a fully restored Classic Defender V8 to reflect their personality, with an extended choice of materials, colour combinations, finishes and accessories

Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke is the next chapter in the Classic Defender story
Unique new commissioning service represents the pinnacle of personalisation and restoration offered by Land Rover Classic Works Bespoke
Clients can specify a fully restored Classic Defender V8 to reflect their personality, with an extended choice of materials, interior and exterior colour combinations, finishes, accessories, and upgrades
Remastered by hand in the UK by our expert Land Rover Classic engineers, each vehicle is fitted with a genuine Land Rover 405hp OEM 5.0 litre petrol V8 engine, producing 515Nm of torque, mated to an eight‑speed ZF automatic transmission
Available in iconic 90 and 110 body designs, priced from £190,000 plus applicable local taxes
Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke will make its debut at Goodwood Revival in September 2024

[source: JLR, Land Rover Classic]

The next chapter in the Land Rover Classic story has arrived, with the launch of the Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke. Expanding Land Rover Classic’s range of restoration services to deliver totally unique vehicles, Works Bespoke allows individuals to bring their Classic Defender vision to life and represents the pinnacle of personalisation.

With 90 and 110 body designs to choose from, clients can specify the Classic Defender V8 of their dreams using the new digital Land Rover Classic configurator tool, as well as receiving dedicated personalised support from the specialist teams at Classic Works in Coventry, UK and Essen, Germany.

Each Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke is the product of hundreds of hours of painstaking work by our expert Land Rover Classic engineers. Every example, sourced by our team of specialists, utilises donor vehicles originally produced between 2012‑2016, before being fully remastered from the ground up to the finest possible detail, re‑engineered and upgraded, so that clients can be confident in the vehicle’s longevity, strength, and enduring quality.

Blending luxury, capability and modern usability, the Classic Defender V8 is powered by a genuine Land Rover 405hp 5.0‑litre petrol V8 engine. Giving these exclusive vehicles the power of a V8 with the authenticity of a Classic Defender.

Following the same mechanical formula as Land Rover Classic Islay Edition and Trophy vehicles, the powerful V8 engine is mated to an eight‑speed ZF automatic transmission for effortless performance underpinned by our in‑house suspension set up, developed for optimal road holding and ride comfort.

“With Works Bespoke, we are giving clients the opportunity to create their perfect Classic Defender V8, a vehicle that will suit their exact lifestyle. Every vehicle is lovingly crafted, with creativity the only limit when it comes to personalising each vehicle to the owner’s desired specification. From start to finish, clients of Works Bespoke will be given an experience like no other, creating their ultimate Classic Defender V8.” – Paul Barritt, Director of Land Rover Classic

Every step in the Works Bespoke design process is personalised with a range of colours and finishes available to fit every lifestyle inside and out. When it comes to exterior paint finishes clients can select the colour of their dreams for the timeless bodywork, whether it is from one of the defined Heritage, Contemporary, Premium or SV Metallic palettes, or a truly bespoke option with our match to sample service.

The SV Metallic palette provides the most exclusive colour spectrum ever offered, with dramatic depth and impeccable hand‑finished quality, including colours such as Sunset Gold or Sunrise Copper. Heritage options include Balmoral Green and Marine Blue, while Contemporary offers Corinthian Bronze and Firenze Red, among others. The roof can be in body colour or completed with a contrasting finish, such as Limestone – the roof colour of the recent Islay Edition.

Customisation extends far beyond body colours, with the ability to refine a multitude of exterior details, ensuring each commission perfectly matches the client and their needs. Choose between a Heritage, Standard or Adventure grille, with bonnet script, door handles and fixings in either silver or black as part of the Silver or Black Packs.

A choice of 16‑inch Wolf wheels or 18‑inch Sawtooth alloys are available, the former finished in either black or Limestone. Additionally, side steps are available alongside accessories including a roof rack, expedition cage, ladder, and winch, for those venturing further off‑road. Atop the Classic Defender V8, clients can also select a set of classic‑style roof‑mounted spotlights, or a full roof‑mounted LED light bar.

As with previous Classic Defender V8 models, every Works Bespoke vehicle is fitted with modern LED headlights as standard for enhanced visibility in all conditions, paired with either the Heritage Lighting Pack or the Crystal Lighting Pack, lending distinctly classic or modern details to the vehicle’s bodywork.

The interior is recognisably Classic Defender, revitalised and crafted in line with the client’s desired specification, with carefully chosen modern features designed to make the Classic Defender as user‑friendly as possible.

A tactile and intuitive pistol shifter gear selector controls the automatic transmission, while luxurious leather can be found on the seats, side trim, doors, roof lining and dashboard, finished in one of five monotone or eight duotone options with colours such as Caraway, Liberty Blue, and Garnet.

Prominent in the gloss black centre console is the Land Rover Classic Infotainment System, which incorporates modern functionality such as satellite navigation, DAB radio and Bluetooth thanks to a 3.5‑inch touchscreen, with an original display and facia.

Clients are encouraged to utilise the new Classic Defender V8 configurator to explore a broad range of options, before consulting Land Rover Classic product experts to personalise their vehicle to an even greater degree. Clients are also able to look beyond this specific set of colours should they wish, discussing their desires with an expert member of the Land Rover Classic team.

For individuals who want to keep their options open when out on or off‑road, the Adventure Pack includes a roof‑mounted tent box and ladder, while a Ply Guys Camper Conversion is also available, turning the rear space of the cabin into a bespoke living quarters.

Carefully selected donor vehicles date from 2012‑2016, with every example fitted with a naturally aspirated 5.0‑litre V8 providing 405hp and 515Nm of torque as part of the Works Bespoke process. Power is transmitted to the wheels via an eight‑speed ZF automatic transmission and All‑Wheel Drive system, providing everyday drivability and exceptional capability.

All Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke vehicles benefit from a curated selection of high‑quality parts, such as performance‑focussed four‑piston Alcon brakes, the front discs measuring 335mm and 300mm at the rear. These offer excellent braking performance to match the vehicle’s straight‑line pace – whilst, in unison, the Defender Suspension Upgrade Kit ensures excellent on and off‑road comfort and performance, with revised Eibach coil spring rates and anti‑roll bars and Bilstein dampers.

Perfect for adventurers, enthusiasts and collectors, prices for the Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke start from £190,000 + VAT for the four‑seat 90 Station Wagon and £199,000 + VAT for the five‑seat 110 Station Wagon. A seven‑seat 110 Station Wagon is available from £204,000 + VAT.

The Classic Defender V8 by Works Bespoke will make its debut at the 2024 Goodwood Revival from 6‑8 September, giving prospective clients and keen Classic Defender fans the opportunity to see the vehicle and meet members of the Land Rover Classic team.

V8 DEFENDER HISTORY

V8 powertrains in the Land Rover Defender and its production predecessors started with the Series III Stage 1 V8 of 1979. The carburetted 3.5‑litre Rover V8 produced 90bhp.

The Land Rover 110 from 1983, and 90 from 1984, used the same 3.5‑litre Rover V8 engine as the Series III Stage 1 V8, but in 113bhp form, uprated to 135bhp from 1987.

For North American Specification (NAS), Defender 90s and 110s only, from 1992, a 182bhp fuel‑injected 3.9‑litre version of the Rover V8 was fitted, along with a four‑speed automatic transmission.

In 1998, the fuel‑injected 190bhp 4.0‑litre V8 from the second‑generation Range Rover was fitted to a limited run of 50th Anniversary Defender 90s, with a four‑speed automatic transmission.

5.0‑litre naturally‑aspirated 2018 Defender Works V8 became the first official V8‑powered Land Rover Defender to be introduced since 1998.

Other editions of the Land Rover Classic Defender V8 include the Islay, Trophy and Trophy II variants.

About Land Rover Classic

Land Rover Classic is the official source of authentic cars, expert services, genuine parts, and unforgettable experiences for classic Land Rover enthusiasts worldwide. Our team of highly skilled engineers at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in Coventry specialises in outstanding Land Rover Series I and Range Rover Reborn restorations and building the Defender Works V8.

All enquiries from prospective Land Rover Classic customers should be directed to:
sales@classic‑jaguarlandrover.com/ +44 (0) 2476 566 600 / www.landrover.com/classic

Important notice
JLR is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, parts and accessories and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up‑to‑date literature, this document should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications or availability, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle, part, or accessory. All figures are manufacturer’s estimates.