- Land Rover Classic offers restorations with new Defender Octa colors.
- Buyers can mix Octa paints with upgraded premium interior options.
- Classic Defender V8 builds now cost more than the 2026 Defender Octa.
The old Defender never really goes out of style, and Land Rover Classic is more than happy to cash in on that fact. Its latest move? A restoration and customization program that lets you dress up a vintage Defender in any color and trim combo borrowed from the new Defender Octa.
The bespoke builds are re-engineered donor vehicles originally produced between 2012 and 2016, available in either 90 or 110 Station Wagon forms, or the open-top 90 Soft Top.
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The highlight here is the expanded palette. New colors like Petra Copper, Faroe Green, Sargasso Blue, and Narvik Black, previously reserved for the Octa, are now available.
They join existing finishes like Patagonia White, Borasco Grey, Carpathian Grey, and Charente Grey. Buyers also get to choose between gloss or satin paint, with the latter offering a finish that resembles the Octa’s optional Matte Protective Film.
According to Land Rover, achieving that finish is no quick job. Each Classic Defender V8 spends about 300 hours in the paint shop to hit the mark.
Land Rover isn’t stopping at paintwork. The exterior menu now includes five wheel designs in either 16- or 18-inch sizes, a gloss black grille, crystal lighting, and even a Chopped Carbon Fiber finish on the hood’s Defender script. There’s also a collection of bolt-on accessories designed for outdoor types.
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It’s not just the exterior that’s getting a refresh. For the first time, Classic Defenders can be optioned with updated trim selections. The cabin is available in Ultrafabrics, with color choices like Khaki Green, Light Cloud, or Lunar. Alternatively, customers can spec Burn Sienna semi-aniline leather or go with Ebony leather from the Octa Black special edition.
Those after a bit more support behind the wheel can opt for Recaro sports seats, complete with heating. Infotainment upgrades are also part of the package, though nothing quite as expansive as the 13.1-inch touchscreen from the Octa makes it over.
Restomod Business
Setting aside the fresh color combinations, all of the Classic Defender V8 builds benefits from a number of upgrades under the skin. The uprated 5.0-liter V8 engine generates 400 hp (298 kW / 405 PS), sending power to all four wheels via a ZF automatic gearbox with a sport mode.
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Despite the modern upgrades, the chassis remains true to the original ladder-frame design. That said, the underpinnings have been tuned with custom springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars for better on-road behavior. Braking is upgraded at both ends, and the steering has been reworked to suit the updated dynamics.
What Will It Cost You?
Naturally, none of this comes cheap. The starting price for a Classic Defender V8 is £190,000 ($254,000) before taxes and extras. That puts it above the new Defender Octa, which currently begins at £148,045 ($198,000) in the UK.
Dominic Elms, Director of Land Rover Classic said: “Classic Defender V8 remains hugely characterful and sought after. Ever since Defender OCTA’s launch in 2024 we’ve seen an appetite from our clients wanting to commission a matching Classic Defender V8, which has inspired our Works Bespoke team to work with innovative paint and material technologies to create the ultimate Defender pairing.”
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