Have you converted the Defender into a convertible? That will cost you a Range Rover Velar

Convertible SUVs aren’t exactly popular. Both the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet and the Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet flopped mercilessly. But an open version of the Defender could well succeed…

Incidentally, you won’t be seeing open Defenders everywhere anytime soon, because the car in these photos isn’t an official Land Rover product. It comes from the Dutch company Heritage Customs.

There is precedent for a Defender convertible

So why do we think a Defender convertible has a chance of succeeding? Because of course there is a precedent. The old Land Rovers have always had fabric roof versions.

These were badass 4x4s now and this is a luxury horse that doesn’t fear mud spatter, but still… Sitting crowned in the cool spring air is Land Rover fitting.

You probably lost a ton for the conversion

Then the price, because that’s how we started this story. First, you must bring your own Land Rover Defender 90 for at least 116,000 euros. Second, you have to reckon with conversion costs that amount to at least 85,000 euros excluding VAT.

The fact that the conversion will cost you a Range Rover Velar is therefore only a positive assessment. You’re probably exaggerating. But what does Heritage Customs do for you?

A roll cage, a soft top and lots of leather

Of course, they remove the roof from your Defender and instead mount a roll cage and soft top. The entire interior is also taken care of – with many square meters of leather – and your Land Rover will be equipped with various light metals.

Not a Land Rover Defender, but a Valiance

Incidentally, we can no longer call the end product Land Rover Defender. Heritage Customs has come up with its own name: Valiance Convertible.