IslandDefender

IslandDefender Creator of images for Hollywood. Collector of Land Rovers. Co-founder Creative Director

Here’s a look at Project Sand Rover - living up to its name. This NAS AA D90 project was a year long restoration with B...
03/02/2024

Here’s a look at Project Sand Rover - living up to its name. This NAS AA D90 project was a year long restoration with Bill at - in collaboration with . The goal with this project was to create a fun and unique look - while being easily reversible back to NAS “spec” if needed.

Part of the challenge with the renovation was how far to take it. Going for a complete rebuild offers simplicity in decision-making, unlike the endless choices of partial restoration. I think we’ve achieved a great balance: it looks really sharp and mechanically everything got dialed in, yet it retained an authentic lived-in feel.

Let’s start with the the Exmoor kit:
* In the front we have a set of Classic Flute Oxford Tan heated seats
* Matching Premium Lock Box in the same finish
* A 3-piece Moulded matting system.
* In the rear we have four Inward Facing Tip Up seats - also finished in the Classic Flute Oxford Tan.
* And finally a NAS 90 Full Hood in Black.

Breakdown:
* Paint-refresh and minor body repairs with supplemental work to hood and fenders.
* Powder-coated and paint matched AA yellow Wolf HD wheels.
* New Bf Goodrich A/T CO2 tires.
* 2” Fox shock kit.
* Tom Woods drive shafts - front and rear.
* Stainless steel break lines.
* New V8 decals.
* New radio housing and radio.
* New kick panel trim.
* Powder coat all new trim pieces.
* New loadspace OEM rubber mat.
* Toe board trim set.
* New rear seatbelt kit and hardware.
* New lug nut set.

Everyone that sees this truck in person calls it a Tonka toy truck. I don’t disagree. What do you think?

Awesome time at the first-ever Palm Beach Series Land Rover event this weekend! Great energy as enthusiasts and icons of...
01/22/2024

Awesome time at the first-ever Palm Beach Series Land Rover event this weekend! Great energy as enthusiasts and icons of the Land Rover world came together. also flew in and supported the event. That’s me and CEO Alex Grappo, grinning after my 90 clinched the ‘Defender - Best in Class’ award. Great event, great people and lots of very cool and one-of-a-kind Rovers. Check out for more pics. Hosted by and Photos by

Lets talk Project Sand Rover. I’ve been itching to get a NAS Defender for a long time. Finally pulled the trigger - and ...
06/18/2022

Lets talk Project Sand Rover. I’ve been itching to get a NAS Defender for a long time. Finally pulled the trigger - and bought two. First up is the AA Yellow - which I’m calling Sand Rover for now. This is a fun restoration project that I’m doing with Bill at . I’ve bought three trucks from Bill over the years - Bill is a great guy and very knowledgeable and passionate about Rovers. Give Bill a follow, his IG stories of his automotive adventures are always insightful and entertaining.

Also a partner in this build is - who probably needs to further introduction.

Since the NAS trucks are stamped from the factory with a unique number on the rear plaque they are inherently limited edition and collectible - commanding a higher value than the average ROW truck. Most people argue that the highest value comes from keeping them in their OEM stock spec. So the goal with this concept is to create a unique look while being easily reversible back to NAS spec.

Basically it comes down to a number of small tweaks to set it apart. The first and most obvious is the Body Colored Powder Coated Wolf HD steel wheels. A simple tweak that gives it a whole new look. We’re also installing a Fox shock kit to give a more muscular stance. I was flirting with the idea of doing series light surrounds, but have put that off - for now. I was also playing around with adding 1997 NAS Willow Green dual ladders and a rack but not sure I wanna drill into the body.

The biggest design statement comes from the brand new Exmoor interior. In the front we have a set of Classic Flute Oxford Tan heated seats along with a matching Premium lock box in the same finish. We also have a brand new 3-piece Moulded matting system. In the rear we have four Inward Facing Tip Up - also finished in the gorgeous Classic Flute Oxford Tan.

This D90 didn’t not come with a top when I bought it so we’ll have a black NAS hood from .

We should be wrapping up this project this summer. Whatcha think?

Gotland summer starts now.
06/17/2022

Gotland summer starts now.

Back in 2018 I created Concept Sanibel - a Beach Runner / Daily Driver do-it-all Defender 130. The time has now came to ...
05/14/2022

Back in 2018 I created Concept Sanibel - a Beach Runner / Daily Driver do-it-all Defender 130. The time has now came to make the concept a reality. Instead of a 130 I’m doing a 110DC - mostly for aesthetic reasons.

The reason for a DC versus a SW is rooted in functionality based on it’s intended life on a subtropical island. By installing bench seats in the bed, the rear of the truck functions as a Beach Runner - kids, dogs and other sandy salty wet creatures in the back. And up front we have a comfortable air-conditioned daily-driver cabin for off-island trips. Business in the front, party in the back. The mullet of defenders.

The smaller overall cubic feet interior space of a 110DC versus a 110SW gives the A/C a fighting chance to cool the cabin in the subtropical island heat. And the white exterior will appear less dirty from sandy roads and seashell driveways.

Last year I got lucky and was able to get in on a nut & bolt restored Double Cab with a galvanized chassis from . Together with the team at Wolf, I continued the build by adding a full Safety Devices roll cage, rack and ladder as well as bench seats from . What's left now is the final aesthetic direction and I have a few different ideas that I wanna explore. Here’s the first one.

52 days until summer on Gotland. Can’t wait.
05/07/2021

52 days until summer on Gotland. Can’t wait.

So I’m doing a project with my friend Karl of aka the rocket scientist (no joke). I’ll do a series of concept-renders a...
05/01/2021

So I’m doing a project with my friend Karl of aka the rocket scientist (no joke). I’ll do a series of concept-renders and then Coastline is gonna build the truck. It’s gonna be a Mid-Gray Soft-Top D90 and it’s gonna be awesome.

The foundation for the vehicle will be Series inspired - Exposed Galvanized Cappings, Split-Doors with Anti Burst Handles and Stage-One light-surrounds.

And then the fun begins. Which direction should we take it… Heritage/series all the way or more of a heritage modern hybrid?

This first concept is a stripped down, bare bones concept with an intentional heritage vibe. The Mid-Grey needs some color, so I’m thinking Chawton White or Limestone wheels. Fluted Leather Cognac, Alpaca Beige or Light Oyster Seats with matching Benches and cubby. LED lights all around, front bumper with Daytime running lights.

We’re calling the project; AMALFI. This first concept would be the perfect little truck to pop around the village with. What do you think? And what should the next concept be?

⁣⁣⁣
@ Los Angeles, California

I’ve been thinking about some kind of Nitro Brew event truck. Maybe a double tap Trophy concept? @ Los Angeles, Califor...
10/04/2020

I’ve been thinking about some kind of Nitro Brew event truck. Maybe a double tap Trophy concept? @ Los Angeles, California

I have a thing for islands - far away from it all.
10/03/2020

I have a thing for islands - far away from it all.

Art Apart.The concept.Any clues, Curious Yellow?
10/02/2020

Art Apart.
The concept.
Any clues, Curious Yellow?

Wine Country road trip.
10/01/2020

Wine Country road trip.

Address

Palm Beach, FL
33480

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when IslandDefender posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category