Land Rover enjoys a well-earned reputation for capable off-roading, with countless thousands of these classics forging a path through the wet and rugged English countryside. The brand is also a long-term favorite of the British royal family and is the vehicle of choice when they holiday in the wilds of Balmoral. This 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 hasn’t seen that type of action, but it is a meticulously maintained classic featuring a V8 under the hood. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing the Defender here on eBay in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. Bidding has surged past the reserve to sit at $30,000 at the time of writing.

Land Rover struck upon a winning formula with the styling of its original Series 1 model, and that vehicle’s DNA is clearly visible in this 1997 Defender. There have been many evolutionary changes, but sitting the pair side by side leaves no doubt they are related. This Land Rover presents well for its age, with its Alpine White paint retaining a healthy shine. The seller admits a close inspection reveals minor chips and marks, but that is acceptable for any vehicle of this type that is used as its creators intended. However, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The plastic fender flares effectively cover the alloy wheels, and the chunky tires should enhance this classic’s off-road ability. The glass is spotless, and the sunroof allows fresh air to flood the interior on warm days.

The original Series 1 Land Rover wasn’t the most potent beast on the planet, powered by a 1.6-liter four producing around 50hp. Wind the clock forward nearly five decades, and things have changed markedly. This Defender’s engine bay houses a 4.0-liter Rover V8, producing 182hp and 233 ft/lbs of torque. The ponies feed to the road via a four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case with a locking center differential. The V8 is renowned for its low-end torque delivery, making it ideal for crawling over harsh terrain, while the automatic transmission removes some of the physical effort from such activities. Potential buyers will be pleased to learn that this Defender is in excellent mechanical health and has been meticulously maintained using genuine parts wherever possible. The list of work performed by the seller in the past few years is extensive and includes replacing the fuel pump, water pump, idle control valve, muffler, valve cover gaskets, and radiator. It is a turnkey proposition ready to take its new owner on a life of adventure.

Land Rover designed the Defender more for off-road adventures than open-road cruising. However, that doesn’t mean its interior is spartan. It simply features hardy trim material that is easy to clean when the day’s fun ends. The door trims and seats feature Gray vinyl, with the floors covered in heavy-duty carpet in the same shade. There is plenty of storage throughout the vehicle, and occupants benefit from features like air conditioning, a Pioneer CD player, and side-facing rear seats. The Defender’s exterior dimensions are relatively modest, but it can transport six people into the wilderness. This interior isn’t perfect, with damage to the driver’s door trim and other areas of very minor wear and tear. However, it is serviceable, and its condition means that should mud or other nasty substances find their way into the cab, it won’t cause too much heartache.

This 1997 Land Rover Defender is a clean and tidy classic with no immediate needs. Its interior has a few shortcomings that require attention, but these aren’t insurmountable or urgent. Leaving the interior untouched is an option because the presentation isn’t horrendous. That raises the question of whether remedial work is justified, and the answer will depend on the sale price. Hagerty quotes a figure of $43,200 for a #4 example, rising to $64,600 for a #3. However, they might be wide of the mark because I located several recent sales for Defenders in similar condition (but without the interior issues) for around $70,000. Therefore, if the bidding doesn’t climb sky-high, an interior refresh would be justified, allowing the winning bidder to place their mark on this classic.