2010 Land Rover Defender 110

This Defender 110 Double Cab is a unique example of the ever-popular British 4x4, now powered by General Motors’ thunderous 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine. Around 430bhp with 398lb-ft of torque are delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, so the results are… dramatic!

Covered in practical upgrades, including a bespoke rear canopy, this 110 is now an ideal combination of work van and weekend toy. Its owner, who bought it with only 1000 miles on the clock, has used it as a second vehicle to support his plumbing business, and has spent a fortune keeping it tip-top.

It was built to this insane spec by Nene Overland – renowned for their experience with Defenders, and specialising in this particular LS3 drivetrain conversion. It’s believed that the vehicle was originally used as the boss’s own vehicle, so this is no experimental job, it’s the real deal. 

Everything is in good order so it’s ready to enjoy. There are no warning lights on the dashboard, and the odometer shows a modest 48,000 miles (which relates to the current engine and gearbox). 

This Defender 110 is finished in Alaska White with white wheel arch extensions, and black rear steps, wheels, front grille, front and rear bumpers, headlamp surrounds, swing-away wheel carrier, as well as black chequer plates on the wings and sills. 

The Alaska White paintwork is in generally good condition, having been repainted at some stage. Overall it has an impressive lustre, with a few minor marks and signs of age, but no substantial blemishes. Please zoom into our images to see for yourself – it’s been very nicely looked after.

The 110 rides on a set of 18-inch ‘Sawtooth’ alloy wheels, finished in gloss black and shod with BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A tyres showing plenty of tread.

The car also wears a steering guard, side steps, Hannibal roof rack, Laser LED ‘projector’ headlights, LED indicators, LED side lights and fog lights, a roof-rack mounted LED strip light bar and two forms of additional LED lighting at the rear. These are all choice upgrades, worth a tidy sum.

The bespoke rear canopy was fabricated by Nene Overland in 2019 at a cost of £3500. It gives similar functionality to a Utility Wagon body style but with even greater security for the rear loadspace, especially thanks to its upgraded security lock and lack of glazing.

Inside, the five-seat cabin is trimmed in black quilted leather accentuated by white stitching. The dashboard and rear headrests are trimmed in lovely black Alcantara, while the door cards are luxuriously covered in quilted leather. It all presents nicely, with a little creasing and light wear on the black leather-trimmed seats, but no major wear or heavy discolouration. 

The cabin features heated front bucket seats, heated side mirrors, a three-spoke Momo steering wheel, cup holders, and an updated Pioneer media stereo and infotainment screen with satellite navigation. This system also features an additional speaker and subwoofer, plus hands-free connectivity and a reversing camera.

The conversion involved comprehensive soundproofing throughout, so there’s a much more civilised ambience in here than in your standard Defender. 

The bespoke rear storage area includes fitted shelves, a storage drawer and rugged-lined flooring, ideal for organising your tools or camping gear, and the vehicle is equipped with a tow hitch kit and electrics. 

A hidden immobiliser switch is installed, and the Defender also has a Thatcham Smart Tracker S5 through Global Telemetrics and a second tracker system, plus the standard Defender alarm.

As mentioned above, the car’s original diesel engine and manual gearbox have been replaced with a 6.2-litre Chevrolet V8 and an automatic transmission. A re-routed air intake with a performance filter has also been fitted, along with a custom stainless-steel exhaust. The performance and the sound track are utterly sensational.

To make it handle, the suspension was upgrade with a set of OME coil springs and Fox shock absorbers. Braking is performed by eight-piston front callipers, and four-piston rears.

Corrosion here isn’t an issue, thanks partly to a professional underseal treatment performed by Nene Overland. As you can see from our photos, there’s no muddy evidence of off-road driving, of the wear and damage that this can cause. It’s all clean and tidy.

The fuel tank was recently upgraded to a new 120-litre item, boosting the 110’s practicality as a daily truck if you so desire. 

The extensive collection of invoices shows thorough annual servicing, including various four-figure bills, all at Nene Overland and other Land Rover specialists. Most of the exterior extras were fitted by Nene Overland in 2019, costing nearly £12,000 in total (of which £3500 was for the rear canopy). 

Last year involved a £9324 bill for a programme of work that – in addition to basic service items and consumables such as belts, seals, joints and hoses – also included new rear halfshafts and a new radiator and oil cooler, tail door latch assembly, new upgraded Rivolve Extreme brakes front and rear, and some cosmetic work. 

Clearly no expense has been spared.

The 110’s last MOT was in September 2023 at 43k miles, and it flew through at the first attempt with no advisories. It did exactly the same in 2022.

It will be supplied with its original owner’s manuals, a stamped service book, and toolkit.

Whether you want a hilarious all-terrain plaything or a mightily practical workhorse, this will be a truly unique addition to any collection. A conversion like this simply has to be a comprehensive one, given the huge transformation in power output, and this one is the real deal.

Clearly its present owner has treated it with respect and done everything he can to ensure his 110 as good as it can be.

If this is the kind of Defender you want, this is probably the one you want. And if you need help justifying the expense, consider this. It’s almost certainly a less risky and more fun way to spend your money than buying a new Land Rover. 

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £45,000 - £50,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.