Tag: defender
Defender of the north
A rare sighting of spectacular aurora in central Vancouver Island, a first for some. Not only visible, but under perfectly clear skies, dancing directly overhead, filling the skies, and including pink and red colours that are rarely seen this far south. See the series 2a version of northern lights here.
Feeling at home
A first visit to the forest on the island with Daisy, a 1997 Japan Specification Land Rover Defender 90 that spent a good portion of its life in the Kansai area. The air is still cool but the light makes it feel like spring is arriving. Several small items have been checked off slowly so…
Defender on the island
1997 was the last year Land Rover Defenders were made for the Japanese and North American markets due to the increasingly heavy-handed safety regulations being introduced. It was also the only year that an automatic transmission was offered. The JAS and NAS are almost identical, even to the point of being left-hand-drive, powered by the…
Bringing Daisy home
Daisy is a 1997 Japan Specification Land Rover Defender 90 (#594) that was made for the Japanese market, after a few years in the Tokyo area spent a good portion of its life near Osaka driven and cared for by a Japanese woman, and is largely original still and in reasonable shape for a 27-year-old…
Mainland adventure
A quick stop next to an ivy covered tree along the upper edge of the river. While on the lower mainland, Daisy had a few things taken care of including a provincial inspection, refresh of wheels and tires, daytime running lights, front bumper cleanup and powder coating, and a general look-over. We are grateful to…
When I cross over
Some heavily-edited and interesting vistas crossing over to the lower mainland to pick up Daisy, a 1997 Japan Specification Land Rover Defender 90 that spent most of its life in the Kansai area. The final voyage for the hard-working Rad on its way to a new home. See more posts related to Daisy’s journey, restoration,…
Spotted: Defender at Solwezi airport
A year 2000 with relatively low mileage and still working every day, this Defender 110 emergency fire response vehicle at the Solwezi airport has a pickup cab and carries a heavy duty fire pump, tools, and a smaller hose of its own. Bonus sighting of a Zambian Air Force Harbin Y-12.
Spotted: Ninety in Windermere
Roving reporters spotted a classy old Ninety (pre-defender, 1984-1989) with an updated roof and wheels, sidesteps/sliders, rear work lights, snow cowls and chequerplate on the wings. Note the hinged windscreen brackets and tail light configuration. Bonus sighting of a decades-newer puma variant somewhere near Windermere, note the bump in the bonnet and lack of functioning…
Spotted: a blacksmith’s 110
Roving reporters racking up bonus points for combining blacksmiths and land rovers! A mean looking cargo style 110 puma with galvanized roof rack and ladder, front winch bumper and recovery points, NAS rear step bumper, plenty of chequerplate on the bonnet and wings, stylish alloy wheels, offroad underbody protection, and custom graphics. Steve Hicks may…
Spotted: Defender 130 with custom tray
Passing through town en route to Campbell River. Interesting to see the two vehicles together at almost forty years apart, the lineage is clearly visible! Spencer can be found in Vancouver at Brigade Overland. His custom aluminum tray was fabricated in Alberta by Ralf and crew at Summit Expedition Trucks.
Spotted: 3-door Defender 110
In Qualicum Beach for the summer as a daily driver. Former British military now in clean and crisp black and white style, a tough look that a 3-door can pull off so well, Canadian flag decal, bush bar, driving lights, and fog lights. 1990 with 2.5L petrol and LT77 five speed, imported around 2013 and…
Spotted: Defender 110 pickup
This may actually be built on a One Ten (pre-1990 defender) rather than a defender as it appears to have the older door handles, sliding window door tops, and windscreen hinges…or it could just be retro-fitted. It has been enhanced with a winch, heavy rock sliders, fog lights, heritage style grille and headlight surrounds, some…
Spotted: Defender 130 with custom trayback
In Qualicum Beach enroute to a Land Rover event. Spencer can be found in Vancouver at Brigade Overland. His custom aluminum tray was fabricated in Alberta by Ralf and crew at Summit Expedition Trucks. Built-in storage trays and lockers, drop sides, raised rooftop tent, lights, roof rack, bush bar, bonnet solar panel, and locking aluminum…
Spotted: three overland Defender 130s
Not one but three Defender 130s in one place at one time! Attending the Qualicum Beach Show & Shine briefly in the afternoon. Caps, rooftop tents, pop-top campers, fridges, roof racks, lights, light guards, bush bars, winches, and raised air intakes. At least one possibly a former safari vehicle imported from somewhere on the African…
Spotted: Hazel, Defender 110
A very unique and special defender with a story to match. A heavily upgraded 300tdi two door 110 with military origins, now set up for back country adventures in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Equipped with bush bar, winch, lights, custom roll cage, underbody protection, heavy duty axles, raised air intake, series doors, extended…