There’s just something special about old Land Rovers that can’t be matched by the luxury SUVs of today. Plus, having a vintage Land Rover doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the modern conveniences and technology of today. At ECD, we specialize in bringing the best of both worlds to our clients as we restore old Land Rovers and outfit them with all the latest tech of today. Here’s a look at ECD’s process of transforming old Land Rovers into luxury rides.

A Brief History of the Old Land Rovers

Following the aftermath of World War II, Land Rover began the process of manufacturing a utility vehicle modeled after the British Army Jeeps that were used during the war. While the original intention of these builds was to create utility vehicles to handle agricultural workloads, it soon turned into something more. Consumers soon found that these utility Land Rovers not only handled farm work quite efficiently, but they also served as great offroaders. In addition, the vast majority of people simply seemed to be drawn to the boxy aesthetic that these old Land Rovers provided.

The original Land Rover Series was manufactured from 1948 to 1985. The early Land Rovers were all built from military surplus. Thus, they are sported one shade of green or another during initial production. Throughout the production years of the Land Rover Series, four submodels emerged. The Series 1 Land Rovers were in production from 1948 to 1958. The Series II Land Rovers were released from 1958 to 1961. The Series IIA Land Rovers had a decade-long run from 1961 to 1971. Finally, the Series III Land Rovers were in continuous production from 1971 to 1985.

The Process of Transforming Old Land Rovers Into Luxury Rides

The experienced team at ECD has already transformed countless old Land Rovers into one-of-a-kind vintage rides, and yours could be next! Take a look at the entire ECD portfolio of transformed old Land Rovers, or find out more about two of our most recent builds, Project Fortuna and Project Churchill, below.

Project Fortuna

A 1972 Land Rover Series III, Project Fortuna is one of those old Land Rovers that simply demands respect in every type of setting. Finished in a two-tone full gloss Tuscan Blue with Cornish Cream accents all-around, Project Fortuna is a stunning ride that does little to give away its true age. However, the iconic elements of an old Land Rover are still ever present.

In a walk around, you’ll find that Project Fortuna sits on OEM 16-inch steel wheels painted in Cornish Cream with BFG rugged trail tires. This Series III also features an OEM front grille with a classic front bumper in a chrome finish. Luckily, the original floating roof was restored and is finished in an eye-catching Cornish cream color. It’s certainly a staple piece on this project that really ties the aesthetics of the exterior together.

When you step inside this old Land Rover, you’re met with beautiful leather as every seat is finished in a vertical Garrett Resilience Topaz Leather stitched together in a beige thread. Project Fortuna can impressively seat a total of seven passengers with three front seats and four inward-facing jump seats located in the rear cargo area. This Series III also features some modern elements like a Sony classic series stereo, an under-dash AC unit, and access to a USB port on the dash.

While Project Fortuna could be chalked up to just being one of those old Land Rovers, there’s nothing old or feeble about what’s under the hood of this Series III. In fact, Project Fortuna is powered by a GM LS3 6.2L 430 hp engine with a six-speed manual transmission. A perfect blend of power, performance, aesthetics, and the Land Rover legacy, Project Fortuna seems to have it all.

Project Churchill

A 1968 Series IIA, Project Churchill, is another restoration project from the old Land Rovers lineup. This vintage build is finished in a commanding full gloss Epson Green with black and silver accents all around. Being painted in a traditional green color, Project Churchill is truly a throwback to the old Land Rovers that rolled off the production line following World War II.

On the exterior, you’ll also find that Project Churchill sits on 16-inch Wolf Wheels painted in black with BFG all-terrain tires. This Series IIA also features a slimline front bumper, traditional front grille, fold-down side steps, and a sun shield roof finished in Epson Green. Under the hood, you’ll find a GM LS3 6.2L V8 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

In the interior, Project Churchill features a traditional Series IIA steering wheel with new vintage Woodward gauges, two Corbeau Trailcat front seats, and two inward-facing jump seats in the load area. The four seats on this build project are finished in a single Diamond Garrett Cadence Licorice Leather stitched together in black thread. The history of this old Land Rover, combined with its upgrades and modern tech features, makes it truly something special.

The ECD Team Makes Old Land Rovers Feel New Again

Are you ready to begin the process of bringing an old Land Rover up to the standards of a 21st-century luxury SUV? If so, look no further than ECD. The experienced team at ECD has already stacked countless old Land Rovers with all the modern conveniences and tech that the 21st century has to offer.

Before starting your vintage Land Rover build, be sure to check out our 3D Build Simulator and discover all about the unique, customizable configurations available for your build project. When you’re finally ready to put the pedal to the metal and start your old Land Rover restoration project, contact us today to learn more about the design and build process at ECD Automotive!