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When Glen and his partner Katrina (the owners of this neat-as-a-pin Defender) stopped to show off their proud new purchase to friends and family for the first time, they couldn’t work out why people continually asked them if they “wanted to be posh”. It was becoming a joke, had everyone lost their marbles? This is a Defender, not an Audi or BMW wank-mobile! The penny dropped though, once a family member gave in and pointed the confused couple in the direction of their factory fitted numberplate.
Now, as they had not asked for a custom numberplate, the initial thought was someone had pulled a prank, or a slapped on a clever sticker about oil leaks or another (NOT) hilarious Land Rover stereotype. On closer inspection, they saw what all the fuss was about. The numberplate reads as BP0.55H, or in non-SMS speak, Be Posh. Once the laughter had subsided, it became apparent that the new truck had earned a nickname, and a definite place in the family. Unsealed 4X4 would like to introduce you to Victoria, quite possibly one of the best touring spec Defenders in the country. You have to admit, she looks nice just sitting there, but wait ’til you see how good she looks with her top lifted up!
THE VEHICLE
This is one of the earlier Ford Puma engine spec Land Rover Defenders available in Australia, which is also why there has ben a few teething problems. Victoria has gone through a few diff centres, a couple of batteries (right before the last Cape York trip too!) and one or two EGR valves in the engine quite early on in the piece. Otherwise, the ‘posh one’ has been a reliable and solid performer. “The early releases had problems with weak diffs”, says Glen, “but the way I see it, mine lasted a fair few trips, and now I have two brand new diffs which were fitted hassle free under warranty”. Well, that is certainly one way to look at it.
The Ford turbo-diesel engine has no problems pushing around the aerodynamically challenged Landy, however Glen mentioned that since loading it up with aftermarket touring accessories he has noticed a lack of performance. “It still drives better than my D1 Discovery, and a little better than a TD5 powered Defender, and I’m sure that by fitting a chip or playing with the exhaust we could get the power levels up again,” he tells us. “Not that I am going to bother mucking around with the mechanics as I want this vehicle to remain as reliable as possible for the type of trips we do.”
THE MODS
Let’s not bore you with details of the mild suspension lift including Terrafirma big-bore shocks, or the well proven BFG all-terrain tyres fitted on factory alloy wheels. Nor the TJM Steel winch bar with matching TJM winch, or the Xray Vision HID driving lights fitted by the team at TJM Parramatta. Nup, we know you are all reading this part for one modification only – the Mulgo Pop-Top Roof conversion.
It’s not a cheap addition, coming in at over $10,000, but it is fully engineered, and absolutely transforms the Defender. The pop-top provides a bed for two people, full weather protection, and is so quick to set-up then pack down it’s almost laughable. Best of all, the fuel consumption hasn’t risen since performing the conversion – something that couldn’t be said if they decided to fit a roof top tent or tow a camper trailer. Rounding out the conversion is a set of ORS drawers, which can also be used as a step to access the internal bed. “We had homemade drawers in there initially,” mentions Glen. “While they worked fine, I’ve never owned commercially built storage drawers, so thought it was about time to change that”.
On top of the modified roof sits a Front Runner roof rack, which houses anything and everything from kayaks to tools. Glen is really happy with the rack, saying that it is light yet strong, and he has no problems popping the roof up even with the weight of the roof rack. Whilst at Mulgo having the roof conversion performed, Glen also had them knock him up some rock sliders which have been bolted up to the chassis to prevent damage to the sill area and doors. These are as neat as they are strong, and match the lines of the Defender so well you would swear they were factory.
THE OWNERS
Glen and his partner Katrina live and breathe four-wheel driving. While there has been a Zook or two and a Toyota parked in the driveway previously, the dynamic duo are green oval fans through-and-through. Glen was partly responsible for organising the Camel Trophy re-enactment that took place in 2011, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the famous Australian event also known as the 4X4 Olympics. Seven drivers in Defenders met in Cairns with the aim of finding the original route travelled, which proved more difficult that anticipated. They still had one hell of an adventure in the process.
These days, Glen and Katrina seem to always have the next trip planned. They have just returned from Cape York, being one of the first groups through for the season, with the scars from Nolan’s Brook to prove it! Next up is a six-week journey driving straight through the centre of Australia from the most westerly location (Steep Point) to the most easterly (Cape Byron). “This will be the trip of a lifetime”, says Glen. “It started with an idea from a friend. We have a plan that is still being revised, and we have a starting point, a destination and an end date… that is it.”
As it turns out 2016 is a special year for Land Rover enthusiasts, being the 50th anniversary of both the Leyland Brothers’ west-to-east coast expedition as well as the formation of the Sydney branch of the Land Rover Owners Club, of which Glen and Katrina are both active members. What better vehicle to do it in than this modern classic, complete with every modification you could wish to make? Let’s not forget that amazing roof camper conversion either; it sure beats swagging it for six weeks straight, which is probably why the couple rave on about it as being the best upgrade they have ever undertaken to a Land Rover… period!
Words By Evan Spence
Do you have any video of that? I’d care to find out more details.