When the new Defender was launched, it soon became apparent that the designers at Land Rover had made an error of judgment. Then we are not talking about that much-discussed design — because we secretly like that — but about the fact that the roof can no longer come off. For example, the Defender came as usual as a short ’90’ and longer ‘110’, but a real convertible version was still waiting. Until now, although it is not yet the designers at Land Rover themselves who have repented.
Handmade in the Netherlands
Dutch Heritage Customs has launched its own interpretation of the Land Rover Defender convertible, which is known as the Valiance Convertible. It is based under the skin on the ’90’ version with a short wheelbase, but the most important is of course at the top. There, the ladies and gentlemen of Heritage Customs mercilessly removed the Defender from its roof, although the windscreen remained in place and what remains of the B-pillar is also converted into a kind of roll bar. Behind it, the craftsmen assemble a traditional fabric hood, all by hand.
Heritage Customs asks for a total of 84,700 euros for its Valiance Convertible, and you can order it in three flavors: as a bright blue ‘Côte d’Azur’ with a light brown soft top and even whitewall tires, as a dark red ‘Kokkini Paralia’ with a black hood or as ‘Solihull Sand’ in a cool green-brown combo. However, you have to be quick, because this year the Dutch will only build five copies. Prefer a slightly more tatty look for your new Land Rover? Then Heritage Customs has also been selling Defender parts with a layer of controlled rust over it since last year. Because tastes differ…
