Fans of open-top off-roading rejoice! Heritage Customs - the Netherlands-based coachbuilder headed up by designer Neils van der Roji - has announced that it will make a limited run of convertible Defenders next year.
Fake rust
It's not the first time Heritage Customs have taken their pencils and spanners to a new Land Rover Defender. The company already offers bespoke interior fit-outs for the car, as well as 'Magic Metal' parts - metal trim that appears to be already pre-rusted, if you're into that kind of thing.
The new convertible models will be rather more in line with Heritage's bespoke coachbuilds, which include rebodied Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and building the two-door coupe version of the current Range Rover that Land Rover never quite got around to making.
The Valiance Convertible, which is Heritage's name for the car, will be based on the short-wheelbase Defender 90. "The Valiance is the Heritage Customs concept for a more heroic version of the Defender. And a Heritage Customs Valiance is the ultimate expression of our clients, based on the world's most iconic new 4x4. We're proud to introduce the Valiance Convertible: a one-of-five limited edition coachbuilt motorcar made exclusively as an open top vehicle, through our Carchitecture program. It is based on the Defender 90 body style and available in three carefully curated colour schemes," said Jan-Pieter Kroezen, co-owner of Heritage Customs.
Inspired by classic Land Rovers
Those three schemes are:
Côte d'Azur, which includes bespoke blue exterior paint, black bumpers, 22-inch alloys (with whitewall tyres!), sports seats, a specially-designed steering wheel, Special 'Spinneyback' leather with copper highlights, and a cognac-coloured convertible roof.
The Solihull Sand model is said to be inspired by HUE 166, the first production version of the original Series 1 Land Rover. It will come in green, with grey bumpers, white 20-inch alloys, classic-style seats and steering wheel, spinneyback leather with copper details, gun-metal exterior trim, and a sand-coloured roof.
The Kokkini Paralia version is said to be inspired by the 'Red Beach' of the same name, just next door to the famed historical site of Akrotiri, on the island of Santorini. It will get a dark matte red exterior, black bumpers, 22-inch wheels, sports seats and steering wheel, 'Tin Pack' interior metal trim, gun-metal exterior trim, and a black roof.
Bespoke additions
On top of all that, Heritage Customs says that it will work closely with clients to add any extra bespoke features that they fancy, "whether it is a subtle detail or a grander gesture." The cars will be built at Heritage Custom's satellite Studio at Klaas & Terlouw, in Enter, in the Netherlands.
How much? Brace yourselves... "We have now opened up the five slots for the 2022 Heritage Customs Valiance Convertible! The indicative price for the coachbuilt Convertible is €138,500 - or $160,000 - excluding VAT and further taxes. People can now get in touch with us to acquire their ultra-limited, handmade Defender with its classical soft-top, Magic Metal elements and exquisitely handcrafted bespoke interior. The new Valiance Convertible also features our bespoke forged wheels, special paints and unique exterior details" said Niels van Roij, co-owner of Heritage Customs.