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ECD Builds Twin Land Rover Defender 90 Restomods For Best Friends

Two best friends commissioned ECD Automotive Design to build a pair of matching Land Rover Defender 90 soft top SUVs. The two are identical on the outside and difficult to tell apart, but they diverge once you peek into their cabins. One is called Project 67, while the other is named Project Flamingo.

Both restomods wear the same eggshell Keswick green exterior color that’s paired with a black canvas roof. Further confusing anyone looking at them is the 16-inch deep-dish black wheels with matching lug nuts. ECD wraps the wheels in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. On top, the two Land Rovers feature four LED spotlights on top of their black roll cages.

The similarities also translate to the engine bay and chassis. Both SUVs feature a General Motors-sourced LS3 V8 engine, which pairs with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Other underbody similarities include the ECD air suspension systems, the EBC brakes, and the Borla dual exhaust systems.

Inside Project 67, ECD installed a Momo Prototipo steering wheel. The aftermarket specialist wrapped it and the seats, which feature a horizontal single stitch, in Cadence Moon Rock leather. In the back, Project 67 differentiates itself with two inward-facing benches. Further setting this Defender apart is its 110-volt outlet, a wireless charger, and rear air conditioning for added passenger comfort.

Project Flamingo has its differences, featuring an interior finished in Cadence Lentil leather. The driver handles a Nardi Challenge steering wheel wrapped in the same leather. In the back, the Land Rover only has one inward-facing bench seat. It sits opposite the inward-facing jump seats, further setting it apart from its sibling.

The two SUVs “showcase the wide range of options our clients can choose to make their dream one-of-one truck,” said ECD co-founder Scott Wallace. Making these Land Rovers even more special is the fact that every ECD custom Defender build is exclusive. The company won’t allow another client to replicate it, making his pair of Land Rovers a unique symbol of friendship.

Article Credits: Anthony Alaniz
Full Articles: https://www.motor1.com/news/626458/land-rover-defender-90-restomods/



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Project Freedom Is a Custom 1985 Land Rover Defender 90 With LT4 Power Under the Hood

If your overlanding trips could use a pinch of good old patriotism, a Florida-based tuner named E.C.D. might be able to help.

Brothers Tom and Elliot Humble grew up in the central English region of the Midlands, just 40 miles away from the Solihull plant where Land Rover’s rugged Defenders were being assembled. Of course, life around the British countryside often meant coming face to face with such machines, so it was only a matter of time before the lads went on to develop a strong affinity for the Defender nameplate.

Tom would eventually get married and move to the United States with his wife Emily, followed by Sir Elliot a bit later on. Come 2013, they joined forces and co-founded E.C.D. Automotive Design in the bustling city of Kissimmee, Florida. Just in case you’re wondering, that acronym stands for East Coast Defender, which leaves no room for any doubt concerning these folks’ specialty.

Not only does E.C.D. take care of importing classic Defenders to the land of the free, but they also tailor each vehicle to the respective client’s individual preference. At first, many aspects of the customization process had to be outsourced, and the crew worked 18-hour days in order to meet their deadlines without cutting any corners.

Slowly but surely, the firm grew in numbers as the years went by, welcoming dozens of new employees and someone whose financial support would finally help them take off. That person goes by the name of Scott Wallace, and his arrival on the scene gave E.C.D. the funding they needed to begin handling everything in-house. Now then, let’s fast-forward to the present day, shall we?

The company is headquartered in a massive 30,000-square-foot (2,800 sqm) facility, where more than 50 bright minds make a living doing what they love. For us to truly grasp the level at which these guys and girls operate, we’ll go right ahead and inspect one of their more recent undertakings.

Enter the aptly-nicknamed Project Freedom – a brutish off-roading juggernaut that had once been an ordinary 1985 Defender 90. Starting with what occupies the engine bay, we find a 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 sourced from General Motors. This fearsome V8 can put down a whopping 650 ponies when solicited, and power travels to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Speaking of footwear, those satin-black, alloy 18-inchers were supplied by the specialists over at Project Kahn, while a set of all-terrain BF Goodrich tires provide ample grip on and off the asphalt. Braking is achieved through premium Brembo hardware at both axles, with E.C.D’s proprietary suspension upgrades making for a smooth ride.

As regards the bodywork-related mods adorning Project Freedom, the squad installed a beefy widebody kit with riveted panels and a four-point roll cage to ensure future occupants’ safety. A custom-made soft top keeps the elements at bay, but the goodies that’ll really catch your attention can be seen up front.

There you’ll notice an imposing bull bar and a bespoke steering guard manufactured from scratch, as well as a Warn winch to help this Defender get out of any sticky situations it may encounter. At the rear end, things are concluded with dual exhaust tips, a spare Kahn hoop, and (interestingly enough) two flag mounts. The latter may not be ideal for departure angle, but it is a pretty cool touch nonetheless – because ‘Murica!

Last but not least, we arrive at the car’s interior, where E.C.D. fitted heated and ventilated Corbeau front seats, a high-grade Prototipo steering wheel from Momo, and a new dash cloaked in leather. Aftermarket gauges inhabit the instrument cluster, accompanied by a premium infotainment system with Apple CarPlay compatibility in the center.

A quartet of foldable, inward-facing seats can be found out back, though plentiful legroom doesn’t appear to have been a priority here. Although we’re not sure how much the customer was charged for Project Freedom, what we can tell you is that builds from this tuner are typically priced at around $200k. Well, E.C.D. refers to this menacing Defender as a sleeper, but we reckon it’s just about as subtle as a frigging tank.

Article Credits: Silvian Secara
Full Articles: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/project-freedom-is-a-custom-1985-land-rover-defender-90-with-lt4-power-under-the-hood-206103.html#

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Manhart Performance for Land Rover Defender

Manhart Performance has been in the business of car tuning and modifying luxury cars for over 30 years. The German-based company got its start back in 1980-s when it began modifying BMWs. Today, Manhart is one of the most trusted names in the automotive tuning industry, with a reputation for excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Over the years, Manhart has built up a impressive portfolio of tuned cars, including some of the most iconic BMWs ever made. In recent years, the company has turned its attention to otherluxury brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. No matter what kind of car you have, Manhart can help you take it to the next level.

Manhart is best known for its engine modifications. The company’s team of expert engineers can increase your car’s power and torque without sacrificing reliability. That means you’ll be able to enjoy your tuned car for years to come without having to worry about constant repairs or breakdowns. In addition to engine mods, Manhart also offers suspension upgrades, brakes, wheels, and exterior styling options to give your car that extra bit of flair.

MANHART is also known for its ability to develop and produce high-quality performance products that optimize weight. Their product portfolio includes carbon fiber parts, exhaust systems, and wheel/tyre combinations. They also offer unique projects that include visual enhancements both inside and out.

According to MANHART Performance’s philosophy, individuals who don’t want to settle for the normal should be able to find what they’re looking for in an extraordinary vehicle. Their goal is to create vehicles that display their power openly. Although performance potential and understatement may seem like opposites at first, they can be combined to create a unique experience for the driver.

They, of course, offer aftermarket parts for the Land Rover Defender as well. Parts such as wheelsets, headlining, custom tailpipes, and floormats are all available to make your Defender even more unique.



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Mantec for Land Rover Defender

For over 25 years, Mantec has been the leading manufacturer of high-quality aftermarket parts and accessories for Land Rovers of all makes and models. Mantec specialises in raised air intakes, and spare wheel carriers, but also other products to enhance your Land Rover experience.

Mantec products are all designed and engineered in-house in the UK, and are rigorously tested to ensure that they meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

Raised Air Intake

If you have a 300tdi, TD5, or 2.4/2.2 transit puma engine in your Defender, Mantec’s raised air intake will work with the existing vent on the right-hand side. For 200TDi engines, it’ll be on the left-hand side instead.

First launched in 2007, Mantec’s now-classic PLASTIC JOBBY air intake is perfect for the discerning Defender owner who wants to change things up a bit. The affordable 2-piece construction also makes it one of our most popular products.

Spare Wheel Carier

The Mantec Spare Wheel Carrier is a terrific, patented design feature for the Land Rover Defender’s rear door. If you’ve ever had one of those flimsy door-mounted spare wheel carriers that break and rattle easily, then you will have to try out the Mantec spare wheel carrier.

With the Mantec piston carrier, passengers can open the back door from inside the Land Rover with just one swinging motion. Plus, their spare wheel carrier eases the strain on your back door by mounting onto the chassis instead.



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Himalaya Spectre – a Defender Worthy of It’s Namesake

For enthusiasts of restored, vintage Land Rover Defenders, it’s very possible that the most desirable vehicles come out of the South Carolina-based shop of Himalaya. Well known for their fastidious, frame-off restorations of the original Defenders, Himalaya generally takes a two-prong approach to their trucks. On one hand, they offer faithful, accurate restorations to preserve the period driving experience; these are Land Rover-accurate down to the last nut and bolt. On the other hand, some commissions allow them to be a little more creative. These vehicles end up as true resto-mods, keeping the original styling cues and character that makes the Defenders so endearing, but replacing the drivetrains and many other components to ensure they can keep up on modern roads (and be incredibly fun to drive). The ominous-sounding Spectre falls decidedly in the second camp.

The Spectre Treatment

The Spectre could be the most extreme creation that Himalaya has come up with to date. Based on the Defender 110 crew-cab pickup platform, it’s finished in a sinister matte black – in fact, nearly every surface on the truck is blacked out. When combined with the huge 37” All-Terrains and 4 inches of suspension lift, the end result is one imposing Land Rover. Himalaya has kept nearly all of the original factory styling intact, and only changed or added a few things externally. Namely, the fender flares have been replaced with bespoke items to better fit the bigger tires, and a new front bumper assembly looks beefy and serves as a mounting point for the winch. A custom-fabricated roll cage also serves to frame the baja-style spare tire mount in the bed of the truck. LED pod lights are also provided in front- and rear-facing positions to shed a little light on the trial if you’re out past dark. It’s clear that the Spectre means business.

The Drivetrain

As we’ve stated, the Spectre boasts a large 4” lift and high-performance Fox shocks with remote reservoirs, along with an Extreme Currie Hi-Flex Suspension. These suspension modernizations are needed not only to accommodate the large lift, but also to help bring all of the power from the new engine under control. For the mill, Himalaya was able to cram a huge, 6.3-liter LS3 motor under the hood. This is the same motor found in the C6 Corvettes, and takes the power output of the Spectre all the way up to a staggering 525 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. What’s even better is that this is all offered with a full 2-year warranty.

A Luxurious Cabin

The biggest departure from the classic Land Rover aesthetic is undoubtedly found inside. In fact, there’s hardly an OEM part left in the cabin. Himalaya has outfitted the specter with a fully-custom leather interior, which encompasses the doors and dash as well as the five seats (two heated buckets in the front, and three individual seats in the rear). Additionally, the whole console and dash looks to have been completely replaced and modernized: there’s a large Alpine HALO running CarPlay, a modern gauge cluster and steering wheel, and a full climate control system. Overall, the interior is worlds refined over the factory Defender, and one of the most luxurious we’ve seen out of the Himalaya shop to date.

The Himalaya Spectre is, as its name would suggest, truly worthy of a spy movie. In fact, careful viewers of a certain series of films featuring a certain British secret agent may take note of the inspiration for the Spectre – we’ll let you figure that one out on your own.

Himalaya operates on a commission model and it’s very, very unlikely you will see many changing hands on the open market. If you’d like your own Spectre, you’ll need to get in touch with them and they can get started on your fresh build (which will run in the neighborhood of $250,000). Between the classic aesthetics and substantial engineering required to tastefully retrofit modern technology into the old platforms, the Spectre demands respect and admiration that go far beyond it’s striking aesthetics.



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