In the Age of the Ultra-Defender, Custom Takes the Crown

A studio in Arkansas named Helderburg has unveiled its latest masterpiece-a deeply transformed classic Land Rover Defender, christened as Arvon. The project’s cost reached an impressive $393,000, which is over twice the price of the new factory flagship Defender OCTA. The clients-a family couple-tasked the tuners with a simple mandate: to create the ‘ultimate Defender with no compromises.’ This ambitious requirement took upwards of 3000 hours of manual labor.

While most restomods are fitted with powerful modern V8 or electric powertrains, the creators of Arvon swam against the currents. The vehicle retains its native 2.8-liter inline-six-cylinder turbodiesel engine. This offers a more traditional driving experience.

Comprehensive Technical Overhaul

The engine underwent a complete rebuild and modernization. A highlight among the upgrades is a new cooling system with a double radiator, enabling the car to ‘idle indefinitely under the scorching sun’ without overheating. The braking system also received attention: bolstered calipers, improved stopping power, and standard brake lines replaced with reinforced hoses.

Striking Exterior Design

The body is painted in a unique shade of High Pearl Metallic Blue. It features a new front power bumper, modern LED lights, winch, removable light brown soft top, black side steps, fender extensions, and new black wheels shod with mud tires.

Luxury Interior Crafted for Individual Tastes

Special attention was given to the interior, designed according to the client’s wife’s wishes. She wanted the car’s interior to blend seamlessly with the elite resort area of the Hamptons. Inside, the Defender is upholstered fully in cream and brown leather with contrasting white stitching. It features new door cards and seats, including two longitudinal benches in the rear. The ensemble is completed by a wooden-rimmed steering wheel and a modern multimedia system supporting Apple CarPlay.

Industry analysts have noted a growing interest in bespoke vehicles, especially in the luxury segment. The Arvon, with its personalized touches and unique features, exemplifies a trend towards exclusivity and nostalgia in automobile ownership, a move that contrasts the increasing standardization of new vehicles. Experts suggest this might be why collectors and enthusiasts are willing to invest more than double the cost of brand-new high-end models for bespoke craftsmanship and historical continuity.