Land Rover Defender goes topless

The new-generation Land Rover Defender is now available as a convertible thanks to a Dutch specialist, but stock of the top-down off-roader is limited.

Dutch coachbuilders Heritage Customs are believed to be the first company to take the roof off the new three-door Defender 90, harking back to the original Series Land Rovers.

Officially known as the Valiance Convertible, the conversion sees the Defender 90’s rear roof section removed and replaced with a power-folding fabric roof, supported by a rear roll cage to boost occupant safety if the SUV ends up head-over-tail.

Additional changes compared to the standard Defender 90 include unique 22-inch forged wheels and an additional seat between the driver and passenger – increasing its carrying capacity to six adults – which are upholstered in quilted leather with yellow contrast stitching.

UK publication Autocar reports Heritage Customs plans to build just five Valiance Convertibles, with this yellow example being the second completed version to leave its workshop following an olive green-over-tan Defender 90.

Not including the base Defender 90 – which can be supplied in any specification, allowing owners their own choice of engines – the conversion costs approximately £58,000 ($AU112,000).

Land Rover’s last convertible to be sold in Australian showrooms was a two-door version of the Evoque small SUV, which was axed from the line-up in 2018.