
Matte black, 16 miles since build, and fully reimagined — this ‘Dark Knight’ Defender 90 is vintage Land Rover attitude with modern muscle. Absolute stealth mode.
Highlights
- Full restoration by expert facility Monarch Defender
- Vintage Air climate-control system
- Custom bumpers and side steps
- 33-inch BFGoodrich tires with matching full-sized spare
- Billet hardware and LED lighting throughout
Overview
SBX Cars is proud to offer for sale this custom 1988 Land Rover Defender 90 showing just 16 post-restoration miles on the odometer at the time of this cataloging. Finished in matte black over a black and white two-tone Nappa leather interior, this Defender restomod is now offered with a build sheet and a clear title.
The Defender 90 became legendary for its classic, ultra-rugged aesthetic. Its short-wheelbase design made it highly maneuverable on tight trails, and its high ground clearance gave it unmatched off-road prowess. On the inside, the Defender’s inboard-facing rear jump seats folded up to maximize cargo-carrying capacity.
Dubbed the “Dark Knight,” this stealthy Defender 90 was reimagined both inside and out by Monarch Defender. Based in Ames, Iowa, the company uses meticulous craftsmanship and personalized enhancements to bring together the analog look of a classic Land Rover with modern engineering, technology, and creature comforts.
Thoughtful details for this Defender include a Monarch grille, LED lighting, “Fire and Ice” side steps, a NAS-style tubular rear bumper, Vintage Air HVAC, and an Alpine audio system. It’s a safari-ready SUV built to the highest of standards by the best in the Land Rover specialty business.
Specifications & Options
Exterior
- Matte black paint
- White accent striping
- Frame-off restoration
- New body panels, hinges, glass, and seals
- Halo headlights
- Monarch front grille
- KBX top and side intakes
- LED marker lighting
- Aluminum door handles
- Billet aluminum door hinges
- Dual color-keyed side mirrors
- “Fire and Ice” side steps
- “Alpine light” safari-style windows
- Swing-away rear door
- Polished single-exhaust outlet
- NAS-style rear step bumper
- Mud flaps
- 18-inch alloy wheels (set of five)
- 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires (set of five)
Interior
- Black and white Nappa leather upholstery
- Front buckets
- Inboard-facing foldable rear bench seats
- Dynamat sound-deadening insulation throughout
- Leather-upholstered dashboard and door cards
- Jeep-derived power steering system
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Center console with dual cup holders
- Tinted power windows
- Power door locks
- Vintage Air A/C and heating
- Dakota Digital control unit
- Infotainment and audio system
- Alpine nine-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay
- Back-up camera
- Hidden antenna
- USB-C power outlets
- Ambient lighting
- Carpeted and rubber floor mats
- Classic Instruments gauges
- Bomber series
- 200-mph speedometer
- 10,000-rpm tachometer
- Fuel level
- Coolant temperature
Mechanical
- 3.5-liter Land Rover V8
- R380 five-speed manual transmission
- LT230 dual-range transfer case
- New front and rear differential and axles
- Newer fuel system
- Custom aluminum fuel tank
- Newer wiring harness
- Updated suspension
- Terra Firma two-inch shock absorbers
- Two-inch lifted springs
- Polyurethane bushings
- Rear anti-roll bars
- Ventilated disc brakes
- Newer brake lines
Service History
Recent work has been done to the electrical system, fuel system, brakes, differential, and axles during the course of restoration.
Condition & Reports
The seller has provided a photo gallery.
This Defender 90 is said to be free of substantial imperfections.
Included in the Sale
- Build sheet
Summary
Trail-tested gear on the outside, luxo-grade Nappa leather on the inside – this Defender 90 brings it all to the table. It’s the ultimate in custom creations from a coachbuilding company that lives and breathes Land Rovers.
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