’86 Tophat Defender
430HP LS3 6-speed
“Prototipo #001”
In 2012 Tophat Defenders envisioned their ultimate Land Defender and set into motion a plan to build it in 2015. The project started with a rust free ’86 Defender 2.5 68HP (Non-Turbo) Diesel from Rome, Italy. To create the ultimate Defender, a nut and bolt restoration was carried out incorporating numerous in-house drive-train, chassis and body refinements.
This vehicle was developed with four key aspects in mind; Looks, power, handling and comfort.
Neither power nor reliability should be lacking and so a 430HP LS3 Corvette engine was installed in the car mated to a manual 6 speed Tremec T56 magnum gearbox to ensure the ample performance was readily available. Bespoke parts were CAD-CAM designed and manufactured like the transfer case and tail piece. Having increased the power output by some 400% the entire drivetrain was strengthened to suit with heavy duty prop- and half shafts. Limited slip differentials were fitted in front- and rear axles and in the transfer case. The braking system was developed in partnership with the Dutch subsidiary of AP Racing. With an overall vehicle weight reduction of some 70KG together with improved weight distribution, stopping power is substantially improved. In cooperation with KONI an adjustable air-suspension system featuring Koni’s FSD Technology was developed specifically for this application and installed on the Defender. It goes without saying that this is not just an LS-3 engine swapped hot-rod, but a thoroughly developed fast and capable vehicle which while very driveable, offers intimidating and accessible performance road holding and braking.
TopHat Classics was founded in 2012 specialising in the sales and restoration of Land Rover Defenders. Following the build of the “Prototipo #001″ some 25 TopHat Defenders have been built to similar specs and mainly sold to US customers at a price point north of $200,000. Currently Tophat has presence in both Europe (The Netherlands) and the United States (Arizona).
Please check video of the founders of Tophat Classics:
Video of US customer talking about the build and buy process
As the development vehicle for Tophat’s Defender upgrade program this chassis has driven approx. 9.5K miles suitably refreshed. The Yellow Prototipo has been featured in several international media outlets including Road & Track, See the attached video racing GT3’s at the Zandvoort track at 2:47:
Loosdrecht,
The Netherlands (TopHat HQ)
SOLD
(Build price, 193,000 euro)