By Malusi Msomi

Heritage Customs, a Dutch coachbuilder, has initiated the manufacturing process for its convertible Land Rover Defender with a soft-top. The company is currently working on its second model at the Enter factory.

Derived from the Defender 90 of the L663 generation, the Valiance Convertible undergoes significant alterations, incorporating a sixth seat, forged wheels, custom leather upholstery, sports seats, and various enhancements to both its interior and exterior. The Valiance Defender is painted in Sunbeam Yellow, complemented by black accents on exterior elements such as the roll cage, front bonnet plates, and side air vents. The convertible features a manually crafted fabric top that is electronically operated.

Inside, the Valiance Defender’s comes with black quilted seating, aluminum paneling, and an extra front-row passenger seat placed in the center. The interior is further accented with yellow stitching, coordinating with the exterior paint.

Niels van Roij, co-owner of the company, expressed that the convertible “captures the essence of the 90 bodystyle and the legacy of this vehicle from its previous generation, featuring the delightful soft-top.”

Heritage Customs intends to produce a limited run of five convertible Defenders, each priced at over £100,000 (around R2,400,000). Approximately £58,000 (around R1,400,000) of this cost covers the conversion, while the remainder is attributed to the base vehicle’s price. It’s important to note that this pricing excludes any alterations to the powertrain, which will retain its factory specifications as per the customer’s preference.