Despite the vast numbers of classic Land Rover Defenders that have been coming in to the U.S., and the prices that they have been generating, the demand and the money being thrown at them does not seem to be abating. Instead, the Land Rover Defender Industrial Complex has only gained more shops specializing in Defender restoration and off-road gear installation, often to a money-no-object standard.
But even the Defenders that were offered in the U.S. officially are still generating plenty of interest from Land Rover enthusiasts, despite the availability of newly imported examples through the end of the 1995 production year.
In a few days, one of the earliest Defenders officially sold in the U.S. will cross the auction block when Bonhams offers a 1993 Land Rover Defender 110 NAS with just 80,000 miles on the clock at its Scottsdale sale.
Will this Defender reconfirm the values for North American models from the 1990s?
Bonhams
The 110 NAS, in case you're not familiar, was a special American-market model meant to whet the appetite of Land Rover buyers in the U.S. The 110 North American Specification model was effectively a fully loaded, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink, long-wheelbase, four-door Defender with an external roll cage, roof rack with basket, brush guards, and a 3.9-liter V8 paired with a five-speed manual transmission. It even has air conditioning, which was by no means a common option in the home country. Just 500 of these were sent to the U.S., and all were finished in a white exterior color, almost begging for UN letters on the doors. The NAS vehicles were also the first examples of the Defender model (after the Series Land Rovers) to be modified to U.S.-market specifications from the factory, which until that time had been left to various gray-market importers.
After the initial run of 110s in 1993, Land Rover introduced the Defender 90 in the States, now available in a greater variety of colors. But they were sold for just a few years, with Land Rover pulling them from sale in 1997. This meant that the total number of NAS Defenders in the U.S. (and Canada) was more or less locked for some time, until the earliest European-spec Defenders began hitting the 25-year mark and became eligible for importation. But this fact did not dilute the values and demand for NAS models, especially the white 110s.
Bonhams
The example that Bonhams will offer later this month is the 34th of that original run of 500, as its badge near its rear door shows, and it was built in June of 1992 as a 1993 model-year vehicle. The auction house informs that it was delivered new to Southern California and stayed with its original owner this whole time. So it'll be trading hands for the first time since delivery, having accumulated just 80,000 miles during that time. The Defender will be offered with its optional camping chairs, factory paraphernalia, owner's manual, and original spare keys.
"The bodywork is in beautiful condition, as is the original interior with the six, fold-down seats in the back," the auction house says. "The color-coded wheels are shot on beefy Michelin tires, giving the Defender a very purposeful look."
Bonhams
Bonhams estimates this Defender to bring between $60,000 and $90,000 on auction day, reflecting its moderate mileage and one-owner history. The somewhat liberal range perhaps reflects some uncertainly about just how badly collectors will want a 110 NAS model given the options available today, including importation, but it's clear that the one-owner history and climate-controlled garage residence place it into an elite category among existing 110 NAS models.
Visit the auction website for the full list of lots and auction schedule.
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This Land Rover Defender 110 NAS Is One of the First in the States - Autoweek
