#19 - CL

CL began her life in June 1991, dispatched from Solihull to the Ministry of Defence for overseas service — most probably on NATO operations. She is believed to have served until being de-mobbed in the early 2000s, eventually finding her way to a used car dealership in Northern France — an original left hand drive military Defender hiding in plain sight, consigned to obscurity by a particularly rotten rear crossmember. After a short negotiation, we collected CL and shipped her back to the United Kingdom. Her days of anonymity were about to end.

Our US-based clients — both designers for a rather well-known technology company in Cupertino — had a vision, and they chose Windsor Classics to bring it to life.

Black on black. Pure intent, no compromise. The brief was to build a Defender 90 that commands attention whilst maintaining the mechanical honesty these machines are known for. Sophistication for modern driving with the capability for anything the wild can throw at it. This was not a restoration in the traditional sense — it was a statement.

• Full nut and bolt rebuild with original chassis repaired to comply with US import regulations

• Full engine, gearbox and differential rebuilds

• New wiring loom

• Paintwork in metallic deep dark moody black

• AP Racing brake upgrade with improved stopping power

• Fox dampers and Eibach springs suspension upgrade

• Power steering upgrade

• Air conditioning upgrade

• Hand-stitched Connolly leather trimmed front seats and rear bench seats

• Marshall speaker cubby box

• Bespoke mohair soft top on heavy duty hood sticks

• Signature Windsor Classics Wenge hardwood rear tub deck

• Bespoke Wenge hardwood and galvanised steel side steps