BEGINNER'S LUCK

DON’T LIE, YOU WISH YOUR FIRST 4X4 WAS AS NEAT AS THIS KITTED-OUT DEFENDER.

- EVAN SPENCE

IT WAS love at first sight for Jamie, the owner of this beautiful 2012 Firenze Red Land Rover Defender. After deciding to sell up and travel the world in 2017, he couldn’t help but notice how popular Defenders were overseas, especially in Iceland where they love to jack them up and bolt-on huge balloon tyres. It was decided that on his return to Australia, he would buy a Defender and build it up.

Problem was, though, Jamie had never owned a 4x4 before, let alone a modified one, but he was keen to go camping and get out in the bush more, focusing on his passion of photography and videography. So it was time to do some research to work out what he wanted to achieve, and find the right people to help achieve his vision.

The vehicle you see before you was purchased second-hand and sight unseen, then shipped to Jamie while he crossed all his fingers and toes. “I actually got a great deal,” said Jamie. “It was in really solid condition and had a few more accessories fitted, like a long-range fuel tank, that I didn’t notice in the for-sale ad.”

That said, we’ll get the big question out of the way first – Jamie tells us his Land Rover has been nothing but reliable, and doesn’t even leak any oil … yes, it seems like he is getting sick of people asking.