1995 110 Land Rover Defender

Engine - 300 TDI
Transmission - 5 Speed Manual
Suspension - 2 inch Lift
Tyres - 305/70/16 BFG km2
Equipped For - Daily & Tourer

Toby, how long have you had the Defender? 

I picked up the defender a little over 3 years ago now, on one of the hottest days of the year I flew up to Sydney and started the drive down to Melbourne. It didn't take long for the temperature to get up high and for the next 11 hours on every incline having the temp gauge flashing at me nearly having the car overheat and kicking myself that I had just bought a big old lemon, so it wasn't a very nice first drive! But after much love and lots of work done it has been treating me well.

What made you choose the defender?

Growing up admiring an adventurous lifestyle I was always looking at photos and videos of people traveling to remote parts of the world and so often seeing it done in an old Landrover, I think that's where my interest in them came from.

Then I got my hands on one, it was my great uncles old farm truck which was a 92' single cab defender with super low k's and after having that for a few years and really enjoying it I decided to upgrade it for a defender wagon which suited what I needed much more being able to sleep in the back and have the extra seats and space when needed.

Do you use the Defender for your photography work?

Yes I do, I have it to the point now that I can comfortably live out of it for short periods of time, so perfect for photo trips getting me out to some pretty cool places, and being able to charge up my equipment wherever I go. When I'm not off taking photos I use it for my gardening work with plenty of room to throw in all my tools in the back and on the roof.

What do you love the most about the defender? 

There is just something I like about cruising down the road in something that is a bit older and unique, even though it's noisy, smelly, slow, and leaks water on you when it rains. It's simple, practical, rugged and feels like you are heading off on an adventure every time you drive it. I'd take that over comfort any day

As for my favorite part of the defender would have to be the air vents under the windscreen, the best natural a/c you'll ever find

What is your favorite modification you have made?

While rummaging through the shed at home I came across some old roof racks from the 70s that had cross-country ski mounts on them and thought they were really cool so had to find a use for them somewhere on the car. After quite some time, I found a good spot to mount one of them on the rear as a holder for an axe/highlift/ light pole, you can fit lots of stuff on there, just something small and different that works a treat

Where is your favorite place you have taken your defender? 

I recently completed a trip across the Nullabor and around the south of W.A, doing the Nullarbor crossing and staying on the cliffs has been on the list for a long time so was stoked to be able to tick that off and explore that side of Australia, I was just really happy and somewhat surprised to make it there and back without a hiccup. 

But for a quick weekend away my favorite place to go would have to be in the Victorian high country, with steep climbs bringing you epic views as far as the eye can see then dropping down into valleys with beautiful fresh rivers to camp by and a lot of the time you have the place pretty much to yourself.

Photos by Toby Royce