This classic Defender restomod will cost £225,000

For a starting price of £225,000 you can become the proud owner of a Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II. You will join an exclusive group, for just 25 of these specials are available, ten 90 and ten 110 station wagons and, for the first time in Works V8 form, five double-cab pickups (now that would be fun).

All will be extant Defenders from between 2012-2016 rebuilt to a high spec and as-new condition by Land Rover Classic. Land Rover’s heritage arm has treated its never-say-die 4x4 to the restomod treatment before, but the special thing this time is the theme: the Defender’s heritage in off-road expeditions.

There have been a few of those over the Defender’s 70 years, off-road encounters such as the Camel Trophy, the First Overland, the G4 Challenge and many other adventures, often over hitherto unexplored terrain, in places around the world from South Africa to Peru.

Twenty-three such off-roading expeditions feature in the 4x4’s most distinctive feature: a black and white paint job and map-of-the-world camouflage-style wrap. This comes across as a very well-travelled Land Rover.

Wannabe world explorers will have all the gear they might need to go above and beyond. Upfront there’s an A-frame with integrated winch and on the roof is an LED light bar and roof rack, accessed by a rear ladder. Rock sliders, exterior roll cage and rear recovery point are part of the package, as is a satin black bonnet finish (to reduce glare from the sun as it sinks slowly over the Serengeti …or possibly the Sainsbury’s car park).

Owners also get features not strictly essential for exploring but nice all the same: leather Recaro seats, leather trimmed dash and headlining, a modern infotainment system  and a clock on the dashboard with design that echoes the expedition theme. A gloss black finish to exterior trim elements extends even to the exposed rivets, while at each corner is an equally gloss black 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheel.

This Works Trophy II follows in the tyre tracks of the first reborn Works V8 Defender last year, also in a run of 25 and all painted evocative Eastnor Yellow. That cost from £195,000 and it was said all were snapped up within three days.

Like that machine, the latest new-old Landie uprated suspension and brakes and a 5.0-litre V8 mated to eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Power is 405PS (302kW) with 515Nm of torque.

Tempted? Defenders are iconic and collectible, while factory-built limited-edition Defenders tend to be iconic, collectible and valuable. Even at £225,000 for the entry 90 model, Michael van der Sande, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Ops, is sure the reborn and up-spec 4x4 will be “highly collectible”.

We just hope that doesn’t stop owners getting it good and muddy by taking the company up on its offer to buyers of three days of competitive off-road Land Rover Trophy action overseen by Land Rover experts. For the wannabe world explorer, it’s the next best thing…