The Corvette V8-Powered Defender of Jenson Button
Jenson Button the famous British racing driver put to sale his Corvette V8-Powered Defender. The vehicle has been owned by him for the past three years.
Button won the 2009 Formula One World Championship when he drove for the Brawn GP team. Following his F1 career, he became champion of the 2018 season of the Super GT Series.
Even though the prototype of Land Rover was manufactured as an agricultural vehicle and and consequently, the driver’s seat was placed in the center as in a tractor. But the later models became the favorites of custom car workshops, like this 1988 example.
Incidentally, this truck started life as Land Rover 90 in 1988, so not a real „Defender”, because this name only became official in 1990.
The vehicle received a 6.2 liter LS3 V8 that’s best known for its use in the Chevrolet Corvette. It’s engine produces 430 hp at 5,900 rpm and 425 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. Power is sent back to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. It rides on 285/60R18 All-Terrain tires.
The interior also benefitted from a series of improvements and is now boasting Recaro bucket seats, folding seats in the back.
The other Landy, this green one from the Osprey Custom Cars is this real Defender made in 1991, though under the hood it’s not the Rover V8, instead the same Chevy LS3 V8 engine, which powered Jenson Button’s blue pearl vehicle.
It’s also coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, but the four-wheel-drive transfer case is still from Land Rover. That also means it has full-time four-wheel drive with a low-range and center-differential lock.
The interior is really nice and well-built, but retaining the feeling of it being a classic Defender. And importantly, not only does it feel high-quality, but it also feels like it can still be used like an actual off-road SUV. There’s loads of leather with contrast diamond-stitching; from the seats up to the roof liner. It’s a thick and tough leather that feels as though it can withstand rough and dirty handling. The brown hue is a perfect complement to the green exterior. This particular example comes with a real wood steering wheel that also feels classy and tough.
Even wind and road noise is tolerable. It’s hard to tell with all the exhaust noise. The engine sounds quite ferocious thanks to a custom exhaust. It’s fun rumbling around, but it is quite loud. And at highway speed, all you can hear is V8 roar.
But some like it hot…
Peter Faidt
