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Osprey Custom Cars Review Land Rover Defender: Classic Cool

The Off-road SUV The revival has been notable of late. We have seen the return of Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defenderand staples like Toyota 4Runner and Jeep car have seen some of the best sales in their recent history. But this popularity goes beyond new car for the classic trail riders. Classic country music, Jeep car, Land Rover, Blazer and more are very hot. And as a result, multiple skins have popped up to offer not only restored trucks, but also trucks that have been modified to make them better than ever. We had a chance to sample Land Rover Defender updated from Osprey Custom Carsbased in North Carolina, and we’re pretty impressed.

Osprey starts with a customer’s old Land Rover Series or defender or other existing Land Rover Defender models, in this case a 1991 US market example, and take them off the frame and rebuild them. But it can go beyond that. The Osprey can do all sorts of interior and exterior upgrades, as well as engine swaps. Diesel engines as well as the LS V8 are available to create your ultimate Landie.

Osprey Custom Cars 1991 Land Rover Defender 90

First impressions of our Osprey Defender 90 test were pretty good. The paint is very smooth and shiny. All boards seem to fit well. Updates like the grille and headlights help modernize it without betraying the original design that made people love the Defender in the first place. In particular, the new flush-mounted windows are really up to date. The official Land Rover wheels are another modern yet authentic touch.

The interior continues the theme of making a classic Defender really nice and well-built, yet retains the feel of a Defender. And importantly, it not only feels high-quality, but also feels like it can still be used as a true off-road SUV. Available in a variety of leathers with contrasting diamond stitching; from the seat to the roof pad. It was a thick, hard leather that felt as if it could withstand rough and dirty handling. Brown is the perfect complement to the green exterior. This particular example comes with a real wood steering wheel that also feels luxurious and sturdy. Even rubber floor matsagain, perfect for making this usable as an actual truck.

Osprey Custom Cars 1991 Land Rover Defender 90

Osprey has also added some useful modern features to this Defender. Mainly, it’s Atoto after-sales head unit, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s a bit small, but that’s because it fits in a standard dual DIN terminal slot. It’s also surprisingly responsive for an aftermarket unit. Osprey also added a modern chevrolet dashboard gear lever, heated windshield and rearview camera. But the rest of the dash is very much like a classic Land Rover. Factory gauges, column body and air conditioner are all original. It still uses the original key and ignition. And we appreciate these decisions, as all the switches are powerful and clicky, meaning it still feels like a classic Land Rover.

Granted, even if Osprey has gone as far as to change the interior, the driving position will lose sight of the Defender’s classic nature. Nothing quite sits like this. The position is so high that my 1997 Suburban suddenly feel like a sport car by comparison. The front passengers are pushed to the absolute edges of the cabin, with their shoulders rubbing against the doors (which themselves are a bit small and make getting in and out difficult). The pedal position is also odd, with the pedals appearing to be between one’s legs. But the seats themselves are thickly padded and comfortable, and there’s plenty of space. Headroom in particular is shocking. Lots of room for hats! And surprisingly, the rear jumper seat is suitable for adults. They are also more accessible than the front seats because you can reach them from the rear outlet. Obviously, none of this is special to Osprey. That’s just what an old Guardian was like.

Osprey Custom Cars 1991 Land Rover Defender 90

However, the overall driving experience is definitely different from your typical Defender. Under the hood is not the Rover V8 this truck has had since 1991. Instead, it has low mileage. Chevy The LS3 V8 is rated at 435 445 pound-feet of horsepower and torque (it even says escort ship up there). It is also associated with a GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission. Interestingly, the all-wheel drive transmission is still Land Rover. This is a heavier version of what the original Defender had, but still British. That also means it has full-time four-wheel drive with a locked center differential and low range. That’s especially useful for areas with inclement weather, as it means you won’t have to engage and disconnect all-wheel drive when necessary.

The engine sound is quite intense thanks to the custom exhaust. Coupled with the fact that it tilts the whole truck momentarily on start-up, it’s both giggling and a little scary. It’s fun rumbling around, but it’s pretty loud. And at highway speeds, all you can hear is the roar of the V8. Of course, this, like many other aspects of Osprey’s Defenders, can be changed based on buyer preference. We strongly recommend going with a quieter exhaust or maybe a cut-out type for the best of both worlds. We also recommend that you choose another way of tuning the transmission. This truck has been tuned to make shifting quite difficult and it doesn’t like shifting when the throttle is heavier. Osprey confirmed that the transmission was adjusted in this way based on the wishes of the customer. We would love and would recommend something a little more comfortable and smooth on a vehicle like this. And of course, that’s an option.

Osprey Custom Cars 1991 Land Rover Defender 90

Strength is unquestionably good. That’s a smart amount for a truck like this. It’s comfortably quick, but, it’s not so powerful that it could get you in trouble. Because, while it has a slightly stiffer suspension than the original and some big Brembo brakeit’s still a Land Rover Defender with solid front and rear axles, steering is slow (though surprisingly more responsive than you’d expect) and doesn’t have much grip.

With that said, the body roll is not too much for such a tall off-roader and most impressively it runs quite well. It jostles a bit when going through big bumps, but most of the time, it’s surprisingly stable and controlled. It does not float or sink. And that is silent. The suspension isn’t bulky and the bodywork is rock-solid. There really wasn’t any creaking, creaking or shivering. Even wind and road noise is reasonable. It’s hard to tell with all the exhaust noise, but if that’s toned down, you’ll find the Osprey impressively fine-tuned on the road. It’s a testament to the company’s build quality.

Osprey Custom Cars 1991 Land Rover Defender 90

There’s another aspect of the driving experience that has nothing to do with how the Osprey feels behind the wheel. It’s about the people around you. With its light green paintwork and simple black accents, I don’t think the Osprey is particularly flashy. However, I haven’t gotten as much press attention since the last time I had a McLaren. It’s not even when I get on it with that noisy exhaust. It usually only happens when I’m in traffic or parked somewhere. People keep asking me what it is and complimenting me on it. This pickup really resonated with people, certainly more than Land Rover’s current Defender ever did.

Elements that don’t necessarily have to be on the parts list are part of what makes something like this, especially with prices ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 depending on model and features (test truck). test cost $179,950). You can absolutely pick up a new Land Rover Defender for a third of the price of one of these Ospreys and it will be more functional, practical and refined. But the reason you get something like the Osprey is because you want something that has the character of the classic but is made nicer (and perhaps more reliable). You want it because it pleases not only you, but also the people around you. Osprey does it, and does it with impressive ingenuity.

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