Each vehicle hand built by ECD has every detail hand-selected by its owner. When it comes to vintage defender restoration, many on their journey may opt to maintain the heritage style of their classic defender. From stock steel wheels to a white roof, here are some of the most traditional style options to can choose for your Land Rover Defender restoration:

Painting Your Vintage Style Defender

Select a traditional Land Rover Defender color for your build’s paint option. Some of the most classic colors from Land Rover include Arles blue, British Racing or Coniston green, Chawton or Alpine white, Keswick or Grasmere green, or even a Willow green. Pair a traditional body color with an even more traditional white roof for a truly heritage safari look. Check out Project S2 and Project Easy Going for classic color inspiration.

Accessories from the Classic Defender

The most eye-catching classic accessory you can choose for your defender is a set of classic Steel wheels. ‘Steelies,’ as they are affectionately known, come in an 8-spoke or 16-spoke option, although the 16-spoke option is a little more modern in style. Traditional white steelies will give your custom vehicle the vintage defender look, but also painting them the same color as the build’s body panels will make the vintage classic even more of a standout. Check out our Project Barbour for inspiration for this look.

A full basket roof rack, classic Land Rover or mesh grille, and a full brush guard bumper will add to your adventure options and your build’s vintage defender style. Opt to avoid modern touches such as checker plates, slimline bumpers, and LED light bars. If you’d like the classic charm with a mix of modern stylings, Hella spot lamps are the perfect lighting choice, along with a body or classic colored Safety Devices roll cage. Check out Project Family Vacation for the ultimate guide to classic Defender-style accessories. 

Interiors with a Vintage Styling

Inside, your build can have simple stitching lines, a classic or modern dashboard for a good mix, and a traditional interior color. Warm tones or cool light greys are the perfect leather color options for your classic build. You can also request a range of custom features, from a wood steering wheel to wood detail panels and traditional Land Rover interior accessories. 

With our state-of-the-art 3D rendering design system, you can fine-tune all the vintage details of your custom Defender in real-time and choose which stylings create the perfect vintage defender look for your build. Ready to get started? Get in touch at [email protected] and head to our showcase page for more inspiration.