2012 Land Rover Defender 130 - Overlander
On the frontline, supporting armed forces, emergency services, farmers, and non-profits, the Defender has shaped the automotive political landscape for decades. The silhouette of a Land Rover approaching symbolises safety, freedom, and the exploration of paths not yet travelled. So, what better vehicle to base your dream overland camper on than a Defender?
This 2012 Land Rover Defender 130 started its life of service with the British Red Cross as an emergency ambulance in the Scottish Highlands. It’s this configuration that caught the attention of its next owner, who was seeking the ultimate overlanding camper.
Externally, the car today is very different to its humble beginnings. The most notable changes start with the colour. Originally white, the Defender is now a dark metallic bronze accented with black arches and bonnet.
At the front, a tubular bumper replaces the original, which allows for the fitment of twin LED spotlights, a Warn 12,000lb winch and a farm-jack. The wheels are Dakar Evocorse 16” items, a popular choice in the WRC, Rally-raid and overlanding scene, they’re wrapped in a matching set of BF Goodrich KM2 mud terrain tyres.
At the rear, there is a pair of Sawtooth Defender alloys for use as spares, along with a pair of Bawer toolboxes, ensuring that all the tools you need are on hand without taking up valuable living space. The exterior is finished with a combination of practical, yet stylish touches, such as the chequer plate and snorkel.
In the cabin, it’s a standard Defender of this era. As this car started life as an ambulance, it has basic cloth trim and keep-fit wind-up windows. However, it has been retrofitted with a Bluetooth head unit, air-conditioning, CB radio and a reverse camera–useful when you consider its size.
In the living area, you’ll find an extremely well converted camper. There is everything you could need, after a long day of overlanding, you can prepare dinner thanks to an onboard fridge freezer, gas hob and sink, enjoy your meal at a table, or sleep in a double bed.
In the morning, you can go to the toilet and take a shower, and thanks to Victron solar panels, a 3000kva inverter and regulator, you can charge your electronics from one of three UK plug sockets, safe in the knowledge that the fire/CO2 detection system is keeping you safe.
Under the bonnet, this is a standard 130 Defender. Powered by a 2.2-litre Ford-sourced Puma unit, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The Defender recipe is a staple, rugged off-road capability with a reliable and easy-to-maintain diesel engine. This one has covered just over 40,000 miles and has an extensive service record:
11/2021 – Service at 40,101 miles – L.S. Eaves Colchester
09/2020 – Service at 39,513 miles – L.S. Eaves Colchester
07/2019 – Service at 38,159 miles – L.S. Eaves Colchester
11/2018 – Service & Camper Conversion at 37,000 miles – L.S. Eaves Colchester
08/2016 – Service at 32,510 miles – McRae & Dick Ltd Land Rover Inverness
07/2015 – Service at 26,647 miles – McRae & Dick Ltd Land Rover Inverness
07/2014 – Service at 18,401 miles – McRae & Dick Ltd Land Rover Inverness
07/2013 – Service at 12,416 miles – McRae & Dick Ltd Land Rover Inverness
If you’re looking for the ultimate off-road camper that can be self-sufficient, exist off-the-grid and take you to far-flung corners of the globe, this is your opportunity. You’ll struggle to find a more capable vehicle than a Defender – its rare 130” wheel base specification, ample amounts of living space and high quality conversion mean it is ready to go, anywhere.
As with all our vehicles, an entire digital folder is available upon request and contains more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.