1994 Land Rover Defender 90 NAS #1837

Model History

In 1994 Land Rover North America imported approximately 1,943 Defender 90’s into the U.S (another 87 went to our Canadian friends). The majority were soft top versions, in either a full soft top or a “fastback” half soft top configuration. These stateside trucks were quite different from their European cousins (collectively called ROW trucks for “rest of world”).

In addition to all being left-hand drive, the U.S. version Defender 90 had added safety equipment and a different powertrain option, a 3.9L fuel injected V8 for 1994 and 1995 and a 4.0 EFI V8 for 1997 rather than a diesel engine.  Those 7000 or so U.S. legal Defenders became known as the North American Specification (NAS) trucks, each badged and numbered on the right rear panels. They were outfitted with additional safety features to meet U.S. restrictions such as an internal roll cage and 4-wheel disc brakes. It is for these reasons, mainly the limited entry, that NAS trucks bring a market premium above a comparable ROW truck. They may look identical even to the well-trained eye, but the NAS trucks will always hold a special place in Land Rover history.

Car History

Today we present to you #1837 of the very first NAS stateside Defenders. This 1994 Defender 90 is technically a three-owner Texas truck with 87k miles. We say technically because that’s how it will show on a VIN lookup. The original purchaser bought it from the dealer and returned it within a short period of time. It was then purchased by a long-time resident of New Mexico, where it stayed until 2010. The current owner purchased this D90 in 2010 with 72k miles and it has remained in Texas since. He is an active member on the Defender forums and true Rover enthusiast.

This Defender is located in the upper reaches of northern Texas, far from any impacts of the recent hurricanes. It has been regularly maintained throughout the ownership and the seller can share all paperwork. A NICB VIN check states this Defender was not identified as a vehicle listed in the Theft Records nor Total Loss Records.

Exterior / Interior

Body check

The AA Yellow paint is original from the factory, as are the interior grey fabric seats. The body is straight all around. There are two small paint/body blemishes on the upper panel of the passenger door captured in the images. Many of the Defenders on the market have either been resprayed at some prior point, heavily modified for off-road use or used as a winter commuter in the salty north.  This one has seen none of that.

A few nicks and scratches present as would be expected on a 23 year-old vehicle but far less than what you would expect on a 23-year old Defender.  The body and paint are amazingly clean and all the panels present straight. The Rovers North soft top is without apologies and can be easily removed for warmer climate/days. The seller is also including a like-new Surrey-style top for warmer days. The original Tornado alloy wheels retain their original center caps, and were wrapped in Goodyear Duratracs only 6k miles ago (spare included). This D90 has a rare dealer installed air-conditioning though is reportedly not cold and has never been looked into by the current owner (Remember, this is a Defender…that’s what windows and vents and a soft top are for). All marker lights appear to be intact and free of cracks.

Seat check

The front driver seat shows wear and has separated at the side bolster shown in the images. There is also a small tear in the upper seating cloth. The passenger seat rear vinyl is torn, and the rear bench seat shows wear/vinyl separation in the front bolster area.

Rust check

The truck is reported to be and appears to be rust free with the exception of the upper part of the third brake light bar and the removeable gas tank skid plate. Neither of those are structural components to the truck, and the skidplate can be easily replaced with a stainless steel one from Rovers North. Some minor surface spotting can be seen in the front floor pan, but underneath is completely solid, solid bulkhead, and the door bottoms are reportedly rust free.

Modifications from original

The truck presents mostly original, with the addition of a snorkel, brush guard mounted lights and the ARB front bumper housing the SuperwinchTalon 9.5iSR.  The owner does have the original bumper and the snorkel can be easily removed without issue (the piping routes through the removable panels on the left front wing).  The stock springs have been replaced with Old Man Emu Heavy Duty springs. A Tuffy Security Center Console was added, along with an Alpine Stereo with Polk Audio Speakers. The full-cage roof rack and rear step bar is a must have on these, and is typically about a $4000 upgrade with installation.

Maintenance

If you know Land Rovers, you know the words “head gaskets”. You’re in luck with this one, the seller had them done in 2013 at just over 12k miles ago.  In addition, the following was also replaced: Oil pan gasket, intake/exhaust manifold gaskets, valve cover gaskets, head bolts, new belts, power steering gear box, pitman arm, and the transfer case seal. At 76k miles a radiator leak was repaired, then cleaned and flushed. At 77k miles the clutch master cylinder was replaced. The speedometer cable was replaced 2 years ago and the battery last year. The cable was replaced immediately upon breaking and no mileage was lost minus the trip to the shop.  All mileage is verifiable. Lastly, the owner has just recently had new front wheel bearings and U-joints installed, along with a full service oil change.

Maintenance Summary:

• Inner and outer front wheel bearings, replace and balance U joints, oil and filter change – 9/2017 – 87330 mi
• Interstate battery – 12/2016 – 84027 mi
• Speedometer cable – 6/2015 – 82510 mi
• Clutch master cylinder – 1/2014 – 77733 mi
• Radiator leak repaired, cleaned and flushed – 12/2013 – 76915 mi
• Oil pan gasket, head gasket, intake/exhaust manifold gaskets, valve cover gaskets, head bolts, new belts, power steering gear box, pitman arm, transfer case seal – 12/2013 – 76735 mi

Estimated Value

As with many of the cars we feature, proper valuing is difficult given the low production volume and the rarity of examples going to market, compounded by the wide-range of examples and conditions you may find. Most confusing to buyers in this market is the difference between a NAS and a ROW import.

Recent Market:

• NAS 1997 Defender 90 – Sold $70,000 (36k miles)
• NAS 1997 Defender 90 – Sold $65,000 (all-original)
• NAS 1994 Defender 90 – Sold $51,000 (paint respray, no full cage rack)
• NAS 1994 Defender 90 – For Sale $54,000 (81k miles, no rack)
• NAS 1994 Defender 90 – For Sale $57,000 (78k miles)
• NAS 1994 Defender 90 – For Sale 69,000 (96k miles)
• NAS 1994 Defender 90 – For Sale $66,500 (98k miles)
• NAS 1994 Defender 90 – For Sale $65,500 (98k miles)

Final Thoughts

The general public typically views Defenders as the “cool truck they’d love to have” but write it off as either a maintenance nightmare or simply too expensive. They can have their quirks, but remember, these trucks are utilitarian by design. They don’t carry most of the electrical headaches that many might think. The windows aren’t driven by regulators but rather your elbows as you slide them back. And who needs air conditioning when you have a pull cable to open up bulkhead vents? The reason these and any other older car might be expensive to maintain is rust repair and neglected maintenance. This Defender has no rust concerns and many of the big ticket maintenance items have already been covered. NAS trucks in this condition with less than 90k miles are very far and few between. Limited not only in production, but simply limited in how many retain their originality and remain rust free makes this one a great find. If you’ve been considering a Defender, your search just ended.

Bid Now and Drive Fun Daily.