Key Takeaways:

• The $300,000 price of a restomod Defender is based on features such as hundreds of hours of labor, sourcing rare materials, hand-cut hides, custom stitch patterns, and more.
• The ECD team brings your Defender vision to life from the first sketch to your keys. The cost is also based on a truly customizable experience with high-quality results.
• The value of custom vintage Defenders has risen in recent years.

When it comes to custom-built restomods, few vehicles carry the prestige—or the price tag—of an ECD Defender. So, what makes one of these bespoke rigs worth nearly $300,000? Let’s explore the legacy, craftsmanship, and unique builds that set ECD Defenders apart.

The Timeless Appeal of the Land Rover Defender

From the utilitarian Series I in 1948 to today’s six-figure restomods, the Land Rover Defender has always embodied rugged versatility. Its boxy design, steel body panels, and flat-fender silhouette combine to create a profile that has remained timeless for over seven decades.

Collectors, off-road enthusiasts, and weekend adventurers alike are drawn to the Defender’s:

• Rock-solid chassis
• Long-travel suspension
• Classic, unmistakable design

The value of original Defenders has steadily climbed. According to Classic.com, first-generation Defenders (1984–1990) average $57,023 at auction, with lows of $6,200 and highs of nearly $295,000.

While garage queens can fetch high prices, modern restomods deliver classic Defender capability combined with modern reliability, comfort, and luxury.

Crafting Your One-of-One Defender Restomod: The ECD Journey

Building a custom Defender at ECD Automotive Design is not about picking options from a catalog. It’s a full design experience where every client is involved in every step, from the initial sketch to receiving the keys.

At ECD, every build starts with a conversation, not a catalog. What do you want it to look like? How do you plan to use it? What kind of power do you need under the hood? From there, the team works hand-in-hand with clients to bring their vision to life, one stitch and bolt at a time.

Tailored Powertrain Choices

Clients can select from multiple drivetrain options:

• 6.2L LS3 V8 for classic American muscle
• Supercharged LT4 for peak performance
• Generation Two EV drivetrain for eco-conscious builds

Comprehensive Interior and Tech Customization

Beyond the engine, every aspect of the Defender can be personalized:

• Interior layout and leather grade
• Heated seats, wireless charging, integrated touchscreen
• Modern infotainment and connectivity

With ECD, you’re not just buying a Defender. You’re building a story, tailored to you, with details that no other vehicle on the road will ever have. It's special, unique, and one-of-one, always.

Why the $300,000 Price Tag?

An ECD custom restomod Defender costs nearly $300K, because it's not just any old revamped truck. It’s pure and simple craftsmanship on wheels.

At the end of the day, whether or not a $300,000 price tag is worth it depends on what's important to you. But rest assured, every restomod that rolls out of the ECD Rover Dome is built to the highest standard possible. Because we get it, when you’re spending this kind of money, nothing less will do.

Our breakdown below goes further into detail about the labor going into our restomod Defenders.

Base pricing starts at:

• Defender 90 and Defender 110: $259,995
• Defender 130 restomod: $269,995

The near-$300K price is a reflection of:

• Hundreds of skilled labor hours
• Rare material sourcing
• Engineering vintage 4x4s to drive like modern luxury SUVs
• Hand-cut hides, custom stitching, and CNC-machined billet parts

An ECD Defender isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a story, meticulously crafted with unmatched attention to detail.

A Look at ECD’s Latest Restomod Defender Lineup

Each ECD Defender tells a unique story, shaped by the client’s vision.

Review our projects and their features to see if any fit your lifestyle goals.

Project Heavy Huey (D110 Soft Top)

Project Heavy Huey is a menacing Soft Top D110, finished in heritage Keswick Green with Bonatti Gray accents all around. The interior is just as stunning as the exterior, finished in Bellissimo Balsamic leather.

It features a 2-3-4 seating layout with inward-facing jump seats in the load area. This Defender 110 is outfitted with a GM L3 V8 engine, a naturally aspirated American-built engine. Heavy Huey also features a five-speed manual gearbox, making it a pure pleasure to drive. 

Heavy Huey at a Glance:

• Keswick Green exterior with Bonatti Gray accents
• Bellissimo Balsamic leather interior
• GM L3 V8 engine, five-speed manual gearbox
• 2-3-4 seating with inward-facing jump seats

Project Jupe Life (D90 Soft Top)

Project Jupe Life is a 1995 Defender 90 Soft Top outfitted with a GM L3 V8 engine and ECD's air ride suspension system. Finished in Bonatti Gray Matte, this D90 is an icon reborn. It's also equipped with a number of custom features, including vintage black wood paneling in the cargo area, satin-finished wheel wells, and enhanced fender flares painted in Narvik black gloss.

Jupe Life at a Glance:

• Bonatti Gray Matte finish
• GM L3 V8 engine with ECD air ride suspension
• Vintage black wood paneling and enhanced fender flares

Project Olympus (D110 Crew Cab)

Project Olympus is a Defender 110 Crew Cab outfitted with an LT1 V8 engine that makes 450 horsepower. This D110 is finished in Santorini Black Gloss with black accents all around. This restomod Defender also features a full external roll cage and light bars in the front and rear. Stepping inside, you're met with a gorgeous black interior with blue accents featured on the leather seats.

The truck bed features two inward-facing benches wrapped in black vinyl. This D110 Crew Cab is a real looker, decked out in all the modern tech features like a Sony audio system, Apple CarPlay, and access to USB charging ports throughout. This Defender restomod build serves as proof that rugged and refined don’t have to be opposites.

Project Olympus at a Glance:

• Santorini Black Gloss exterior
• LT1 V8 engine, 450 HP
• Full external roll cage, light bars front and rear
• Modern tech: Sony audio, Apple CarPlay, USB ports
  

Each build showcases that rugged and refined don’t have to be opposites, combining classic Defender DNA with modern comfort, performance, and style.

Connect With the ECD Team Today

Whether you choose a Defender 90, 110, or 130, ECD ensures your custom restomod is one-of-one and worth every penny.

Connect with the ECD team to start your custom Defender build today. Explore our complete restomod showcase, featuring Defender trucks, Jaguar E-types, and bespoke Mustangs designed to merge vintage charm with modern performance.