It’s almost impossible to go wrong with a classic Land Rover Defender. The legacy these British SUVs possess is second to none. However, there are definitely different camps in the Defender fan club, with some members loving the Defender 90 and others the Defender 110. So, get ready to rev your engines because we’re about to have a Land Rover showdown, Defender 90 vs. Defender 110. Here’s a look at what these two British icons have to offer.

Defender 90 Vs. Defender 110: The Origin Story

The origin story of the iconic Land Rover Defender finds its roots in 1878. It was in this year that John Kemp Starley and William Sutton founded the Rover Company in Solihull, England. While initially a bicycle manufacturer, the Rover Company began manufacturing automobiles in 1904.

In the aftermath of World War II, the Rover Company took on a new project. It began rolling out the first Land Rover prototypes in 1948. The creation of these utility vehicles was inspired by the British Army Jeeps used during the war. Originally designed to handle agricultural workloads, the Land Rover nameplate soon became synonymous with offroading as the vehicle was sold throughout Europe, Australia, Africa, North America, and the Middle East.

While the Rover Company has changed hands half a dozen times since its inception, the Land Rover legacy remains intact. When the company was under the name British Leyland, it began production of a new utility lineup in 1983. After a few years of production, this new utility lineup began to sport the Defender moniker.

Defender 90 Vs. Defender 110: A Look at the D110

The original Defender lineup consisted of Land Rover One Ten, Land Rover Ninety, and Land Rover 127. Interestingly, these initial Defenders did not yet sport the Defender nameplate. Rather, Land Rover marketed this lineup simply with the Land Rover moniker followed by the vehicle’s corresponding wheelbase in inches. Another fun fact is that only the One Ten and Ninety models were spelled out, while the 127 was simply listed numerically.

The very first model in this lineup, the Land Rover One Ten, was released in 1983. The One Ten featured four doors and a 110-inch wheelbase and served as the perfect offroading SUV. It wasn’t until 1989 that Land Rover decided to give this Land Rover lineup a new moniker. However, in an effort to distinguish this Land Rover lineup from the new Land Rover Discovery lineup, Land Rover decided to remarket the Land Rover One Ten as the Defender 110.

Project Eagle

Project Eagle is one gorgeous example of a D110 from ECD. This 1993 Old Land Rover Defender 110 is outfitted with a powerful modern engine, the GMC LT1, which produces 450 horsepower. This D110 is finished in full gloss British Racing Green with black accents all around. The exterior is tied together with 18-inch Sawtooth Silver wheels, a six-point full external roll cage, a classic front bumper with a winch, four LED round spotlights up front, and two LED spotlights located in the rear.

The interior of Project Eagle is finished in stunning tan leather. The classic Defender Dash has been upgraded to a modern Puma Dashboard stacked with modern tech features. However, this D110 maintains some of its classic roots with vintage gauges upfront. The front and middle rows are both occupied by two comfy Recaro Orthoped captain chairs wrapped in premium tan leather. Forgoing extra seating in the load area, this D110 features a unique custom-built Thewlis & Gregson cabinet.

Defender 90 Vs. Defender 110: A Look at the D90

Just like the D110, the original nameplate of the Defender 90 was Land Rover Ninety. The Ninety was the second release in the lineup, first rolling off the production line in 1984. The following year, the pickup truck version, the Land Rover 127, was released as the third and final model in the lineup. It later became known as the Defender 130.

The D90 followed the same marketing trajectory as the D110, having its nameplate changed from the Land Rover Ninety to the Defender 110 in 1989. The biggest difference between the D90 and D110 is their size. The D90 is a two-door SUV with a 90-inch wheelbase, while the D110 is a four-door SUV with a 110-inch wheelbase.

Project Point Break

Project Point Break is stunning example of a D90 build project from ECD. This 1994 Defender 90 features a soft top and is painted in full gloss Cool Gray Khaki with silver accents all around. The exterior of this D90 also features 20-inch Kahn Mondial Retro wheels, a classic front bumper, a custom ECD silver metal steering guard, four LED spotlights up front, and one LED work light located at the rear. Under the hood of this D90 sits a powerful GM 6.2L V8 LT1 engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The interior of Project Point Break is finished in stunning Mineral Blue Leather with beige accents all around. Some key features on the inside of this D90 are the MOMO Prototipo steering wheel wrapped in beige leather, vintage gauges, a wireless charging station, Apple CarPlay, and USB ports throughout. The front row is occupied by two Puma Modular captain chairs. Both are wrapped in Mineral Blue Leather and feature Buckwheat inserts. The cargo area is occupied by four inward-facing jump seats, meaning this D90 can seat a total of six passengers. The cargo area of this D90 also features a unique floor option, finished in the medium of American Oak Wood.

Build the Defender of Your Dreams With the Team at ECD

Whether you decide you want to go with the more spacious D110 or the more maneuverable D90, the team at ECD can turn your Defender dreams into a reality. From classic restorations to extreme restomod projects, no dream is too big or too small for the team at ECD. If you’re ready to learn more about the design and build process, contact us today to talk shop!

However, if you’re in need of a little more inspiration before you get started, check out our portfolio showcase or our 3D Build Simulator to discover the endless possibilities that await as you begin the design process for your dream Defender.