What do you get when you combine British stubbornness with an American turbodiesel and a bottomless budget? A 1987 Land Rover 127 that knows no bounds – not in terrain, not in price. This is the Land Rover 127 by Heritage Driven.
The Land Rover 127, also known as the predecessor to the Defender 130, is a rare and capable beast in its own right. But what is Heritage Driven from Albuquerque created from this British long-wheelbase vehicle – the Land Rover 127 by Heritage Driven, goes beyond any conventional definition of a “restomod” vehicle. This particular example, imported from the Netherlands to the US in 2013, was a perfectly ordinary Defender until 2017 – until it fell into the hands of a craftsman with a substantial budget and a clear vision.
The result? A machine that would easily take you to Everest (and back), while also impressing every enthusiast at the local gas station.
American heart in British bodywork: Land Rover 127 by Heritage Driven
Under the hood is a Cummins R2.8 engine – a 2.8-litre turbocharged inline-four, upgraded with cryogenically cooled internals and a modified ECU. Not only is it reliable and efficient, this engine finally gives the Land Rover the responsiveness and power it has lacked for years. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and drive is sent via a dual-range, double-lever transfer case to Currie axles, which feature impressive 74Weld portal axles.
These portal axles are not just for show – they offer enormous ground clearance while allowing for the use of compact transmission components. For even greater performance in demanding conditions, ARB pneumatic differential locks are fitted front and rear.
The suspension every SUV wants: Land Rover 127 by Heritage Driven
The chassis features long-travel suspension and remote-reserve Fox shocks, along with long-travel links for maximum articulation. The PSC steering stabilizer keeps the vehicle stable, while a removable stabilizer bar allows for maximum flexibility when climbing rocks.
The 17-inch Hutchinson Beadlock wheels are wrapped in 40×13.5 (102×34 cm) Pro Comp Xtreme MT2 tires, which allow for sand-swimming and exceptional grip. Thanks to the central tire inflation system, the driver can adjust the pressure directly from the cabin - a feature that overlanders really appreciate.
Exterior: aesthetics with a mission
The Keswick Green paint gives it a classic Land Rover look – Land Rover 127 by Heritage Driven, but every addition to the bodywork is there for a reason. Warn front and rear winches ensure the vehicle never gets stuck, and the spare wheel is conveniently mounted on the rear rack.
Baja Designs lighting includes LP9 and LP6 light panels and LED strips that turn night into day – the perfect safety gear for exploring unknown terrain at night.
Interior: working luxury
The cabin offers much more comfort than you might expect. A modified cabin partition provides an additional 7.5 cm (3 inches) of legroom on the driver's side and 15 cm (6 inches) on the passenger's side. The Exmoor seats, trimmed in green leather with checkered inserts, are comfortable and functional.
Technical data: Land Rover 127 by Heritage Driven
- Engine: Cummins R2.8 turbodiesel, cryogenic treatment, ECU tuning
- Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
- Power transmission: twin-stick dual-zone distribution box
- Go: Currie with 74Weld portal axes
- Blockades: ARB pneumatic front and rear
- Suspension: long-travel with Fox shock absorbers
- Wheels: 17-inch Hutchinson Beadlock
- Tires: 40×13.5 Pro Comp MT2
- Brakes: discs with R1 Concepts calipers, Wilwood master cylinder
- Electronics: Alpine, Lowrance GPS + FLIR, WeBoost, sPOD
- Kilometers traveled after restoration: 1,600 km
- Manufacturer: Heritage Driven, NM, USA
- Current price: $109,000
Conclusion: Land Rover to American taste
While this Land Rover won't take you to the moon, it could easily reach Everest Base Camp. And it would probably attract more attention there than any Sherpa. With its brutal mechanics, perfection in every detail and rarity, it sets new rules for the overlanding world. The question is no longer whether you want it - the question is whether you have $110,000 (or about €101,000) and the courage to drive it away from the showroom. Heritage Driven proves that the perfect overlander is really just a question of imagination - and a fat wallet.
