The Land Rover Defender is one of the most popular modern, purpose-built off-road exploration vehicles of all time, pioneering overlanding for adventure seekers before the term “overlanding” was coined. It was based on the even more durable Range Rover machines developed in post-war Britain as a response to the American Jeep, but kitted with more space, creature comforts, and capability. First sold in the early 1980s, the Defender played a crucial role in establishing the foundation for overlanding and adventure driving worldwide.
However, the Defender exited the U.S. market in 1997 due to tightening emissions regulations and increased competition from pickup trucks and affordable SUVs favored by U.S. buyers. It did not return to the U.S. until a thoroughly reworked model appeared in 2020 under the Jaguar/Land Rover (JLR) umbrella.
Over time, the Defender has evolved into a much more comfortable, technologically modern yet still capable off-roader. However, for many enthusiasts, the more analog, open-air, and simpler original remains the favorite flavor. Legend Motor Company, a small custom vehicle builder based in Salt Lake City, is one of a few companies honoring the original Defenders by producing a scratch-built replica of sorts, but built with a multitude of upgrades and improvements that don’t explicitly bring the vehicles into the modern age as they do complete a wish list of “what if we built them the way we really wanted to?” Legend Motos is run by the two-person team of off-road enthusiast and financier James Frauenbergand experienced custom builder Nick Panos (below).
The result is the 455-horsepower Legend, a hand-built, no-foolin’ off-pavement blaster that packages very high performance, genuine off-road capability and even a smattering of luxury in a turn-key adventure machine. To be clear: This is not a restored Defender. It’s a clean-sheet, ground-up custom built tribute assembled by master fabricator Panos, who impressed viewers on the popular Discovery network custom car show Bitchin’ Rides. While on assignment to ride some motorcycles for another publication, I got the chance to visit Legend Motors as well as drive a completed Legend around the Salt Lake City area.
Building A Legend
While some Defender restomods or customs rely more on the “spare no expense” ideology, Panos says he was was more intent on making a vehicle that worked well – extremely well – on and off the pavement, rather than being a Defender clone gussied up with overwrought creature comforts and novelties. The Legend is built around a naturally aspirated GM LT1 6.2L E-Rod engine, which Legend says is compliant with all U.S. emissions regulations – including California – and it produces 455 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. torque. At its most powerful, the original Defender in a very limited edition trim have a 400-horsepower V8, which was also way down on torque. Legend buyers can also option a more powerful LT4 V8 making a square 650 ponies and 650 bits of twist.
A GM 10-speed automatic heavy-duty transmission is mated to a coil-sprung multi-link suspension fitted with Fox Factory Race series 2.5 fully adjustable remote reservoir shock absorbers. All of that is fitted to a Jeep JK chassis tweaked to Panos’ spec. Wilwood disc brakes front and rear slow the 35-inch R17 Kenda Kleaver R/T all-terrain tires on steel wheels, while Antirock sway bars keep things under control no matter the surface. A polyethylene 22.5-gallon fuel tank in well-protected within the frame. A four-row all-aluminum radiator with brushless electric fans sheds heat while a full stainless TIG-welded exhaust system with a special bypass valve brings the roar when the gas pedal is used in anger.
Up top, the Legend’s body is all-aluminum with a Legend-designed Kevlar liner and liberal use of dyna-mat sound-deadening material, but trust me, this is not Bentley-quiet machine. Touches of bespoke goodness appear on the hand-sewn full-aniline open-grain leather seats, with captain chairs up front, a second-row bench, and folding jump seats in the back, just as the should be. Seat belts are included. The ignition key is personalized with the build number and other personal details.
And while most rigs of this type would have an audio system, LEgend kept the V8 sondtrack as the main source of music, but a Soundboks Bluetooth speaker is also included for singalongs inside and outside of the Legend.
A swing-out tire carrier with a full 37″ spare tire rides out back. A galvanized front bumper and trim pulls double duty as both stylish accent and functional protection.
Behind the Wheel
Compared to the “boot up” sequence of a modern car, the Legend is refreshingly old-fashioned: Put in key, turn key, engine starts. There are no fobs, PIN pads, giant center screens or Start buttons. A drive selecgtor gets the V8 rolling via the 10-speed auto, but you are immediately aware that the Legend is likely the loudest vehicle in traffic. The V8 emits a robust burble at idle and driven with restraint, it’s no louder than a modern modified sports car with a V8 under the hood and some aftermarket exhaust.
That changes if you decide to step on the gas a bit (or a lot), as a bypass valve on the unit I was driving then opens up and allows a more direct path to the muffler, resulting in a roar you can feel as well as hear. Sticking with the tidal wave of sound quickly has the Legend into police-attraction speeds as the long-travel suspension eats up pretty much any road imperfection with alacrity and no drama.
Being as tall as it is and on as big a wheels as it has, the Legend isn’t a cornering masterpiece, but it rolls less than expected and with no tech nannies on board to interfere with the fun, it’s pretty simple to slide the spinning back end in a tight corner or on a loose surface. Steering feel was a bit imprecise but Legend said they are close to locking down a setup that allows for more precise steering action on pavement while also allowing for an improved approach on loose surfaces like fire roads and such.
I didn’t have the chance to do much off-pavement driving but we did head into the foothills on the edge of town on some very tiny roads that were less than pristine in terms of pavement, and the Legend felt like it was just begging to be loosed upon a Forest Service road or two track heading towards the distant peaks. It certainly had a strong Jeep flavor while driving but with a lot more power, better suspension, and a lot of auditory accompaniment. Safe to say it’s a much closer experience to off-roading a vintage Defender what with the analog gauges, lack of infotainment system, those familiar shoulders over the front wheels and the fresh air billowing around the open cabin. There’s just a lot more power and off-road capability that those old 90s and 110s couldn’t deliver – at least without a lot of expensive modification.
And that capability is at the core of the Legend machines, combined with the classic stance and style of those beloved early overlanders. No, a Legend isn’t cheap, coming in at around $200,000 depending on options and power plant choices, but a clean vintage Defender without this much power and finesse can tip that number at auction on a good day, so while it isn’t cheap, it is authentic, and properly cared for, should last for decades.
Heirloom? Plaything? Family Hauler? The Legend is “plain” enough to get groceries and drop the kids off at soccer without raising the interest of onlookers as to its exotic nature and pedigree, but those that know what they are looking at will likely want a chat – and a few selfies.
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