For Sale 1997 Land Rover Defender 90

Holy moly that's a nice clean NAS!

 

Does it have a US title

 

That's a Saudi/Japanese spec NAS. There are a few small differences. The speedometer would have been in kilometers, which requires a replacement on import, for example.

 

Yeah. Some Japanese spec trucks have power windows, which this one appears to have, as well. Nice truck!

 

Defender market is really down right now. Hoping it picks up again soon.

 

Do you have a link to the auction? I looked at recently closed D90 auctions and didn't see this one anywhere.

 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-land-rover-defender-90-nas-141/

Here you go!

Seems like the car market in generally is softening a bit lately. Hopefully it picks up again soon so great cars like this have a chance of a sale.

 

I had no idea the Defender market had exploded like that. Reminds me in a way of the classic Ford Bronco models, as far as the values go. Or is it only for this particular type or model of Defender? Not very well-versed with these, but it's a beautiful example, extremely clean. The owner of the company I work for had a pair of LR Discovery models in the 1990's. These were constantly in the shop, and the owner's husband's daughter rolled one of them (she was ok). I just thought the vehicles in this marque had depreciated away to low values. Clearly that's not the case!

 

Adventure Motorcar stock is NOT a good reference point for pricing. AND, LET ME EXPLAIN THAT.... Adventure is amazing. Stephen (the owner), Travis, Scott, Jackson, etc..... are absolutely the most qualified when it comes to NAS Defenders.

I have a NAS 95 SW that I bought in 1999. With lots of issues (due to a bad family situation, don’t get me started) they were the only ones that I found and trusted to make it amazing again. They did not disappoint.

Adventure Motorcars is amazing and I can not speak well about the enough to say what they did.

NOW, THIS DEFENDER.....It is a J-Spec (the wording to come to describe what also is classified as a “NAS” spec Defender and able to registered in the US easy, especially California, BUT never delivered to the US because of changes in airbag requirements, etc)

Years ago, these were a stigma and often not considered as a true “NAS”. However, the market has quickly changed to realize something different. ALMOST EVERY “J-Spec”, whether sold in Japan, Saudi, etc, was bought as a collector limited edition car. Hence, they were cherished. Ironically, most 1997 US delivered Defenders were used for fun and adventure.

These are NOT the same as US 1997 delivered Defenders (different seat materials, different exterior lighting placement, and all Station Wagons), BUT now the market is realizing THESE Defenders can come into the US WITHOUT ISSUE and almost always are nearly perfect condition, unlike most true US Defenders that have been fully enjoyed as they should be.

 

I was watching the BAT auction, but everything is soft price point wise. It is very hard to tell.

There is much incorrect info about this series (“J-Spec”), they were not built for the US market, but they do meet most US requirements, so Land Rover actually released a notice about them being “Substantially Similar” and having smog equipment to DOT that their request was approved, which is why these can exist in CA, other Defender that are referred to as ROW can’t.

The side marker lights are in a completely different location, not just color. The interior fabric is completely different. The power windows were supposedly a Japanese dealer add on, basically not all have them.

There were around 500 J-Spec Defenders made, to my knowledge, all were Station Wagons. All automatic transmissions.

 

Like TX246, I have a '95 SW and love it. It's my 4th NAS D90. Also, I agree with TX246's assessment that using Adventure's listings for reference is not a really good comparison. For the reasons I've expressed in my opinion outlined below ...

Adventure does good work, as well as East Coast Rovers, and Special Auto in Exeter, RI. There is a cottage industry for reputable shops working these trucks over, and mostly selling them to people that simply HAVE to have one, as they have become a "boutique" vehicle in some parts. Unfortunately, there are some fly by night businesses that have been building trucks and asking big money for junk, too. (One company in MN took $60k, $80k, $100k+ deposits from people and left them with no truck at all.) These have made the market a bit wild. Especially when it comes to those people that do not educate themselves on what they are looking at, and are writing a check on impulse. There was a day when Adventure did not have any in inventory, because they were moving units. Now they have 16 listed for sale, and it could be argued is a reflection of the market flux.

So, "What it is worth in relation?" is a loaded question. About ten years ago J-Spec trucks brought about 60% of a North American NAS truck, but that has increased over the years based on the supply and demand for automatic transmissions. The increase being suppressed by the number of J-spec trucks being imported by people seeking profit; "purists" wanting strictly North American destined trucks; and people bringing ROW trucks in, putting LS engines in,etc, and asking $100k+ for essentially a built up vehicle. But, to put a dollar amount to it is near impossible, because as you know opinions will vary.