The Land Rover Ninety and Land Rover One Ten are the original names for what later became known as the Land Rover Defender. Here’s a clear explanation:
Land Rover Ninety & One Ten — Explained
What They Are
The Land Rover Ninety (90) and Land Rover One Ten (110) were the first models in Land Rover’s “coil-sprung” utility vehicle range, introduced in 1983–1984.
They replaced the earlier Series III and were the direct predecessors to the Land Rover Defender, which wasn’t called “Defender” until 1990.
Why the Names?
The numbers 90 and 110 refer to (rounded) wheelbase lengths:
These different lengths affected size, handling, and cargo capacity.
Key Features
- Coil-Sprung Suspension: A big upgrade from the previous leaf-sprung Series Land Rovers. Better comfort, articulation, and off-road ability.
- Classic Boxy Body: The iconic Land Rover shape: flat panels, aluminium bodywork, and a tough, utilitarian look.
- Engine Options: Early models came with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, including:
- 4WD System: Full-time 4×4 on the One Ten, and part-time 4×4 on early Ninetys.
- Multiple Body Styles
-
Hard top (van style)
-
Soft top
-
Station wagon
-
Pickup
-
High-capacity pickup
-
Chassis cab
When They Became “Defender”
In 1990, Land Rover launched the Discovery, so the Ninety and One Ten were rebranded as:
-
Land Rover Defender 90
-
Land Rover Defender 110
-
(Later) Defender 130
The vehicles themselves remained essentially the same but evolved over the years.
