Legacy Overland transforms a 1999 Land Rover Discovery II with a Chevrolet V8, upgraded off-road hardware, and a thoroughly revamped interior.
Legacy Overland has completed another restoration of a classic Land Rover, but this time the company went with a Discovery II instead of its familiar Defender platform. The result is a 1999 SUV that retains its unmistakable original character while receiving a comprehensive mechanical overhaul. The project has been given a simple name: Ernie.
The biggest change is under the hood, where the original engine has been replaced with a 5.7-liter Chevrolet Vortec small-block V8. The new powerplant features Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection and a FiTech fuel delivery system with an in-tank pump.
The result is 315 horsepower, a substantial improvement over the factory V8's 188 hp. Power is sent through a four-speed 4L80E automatic transmission.
Fitting the Chevrolet engine required extensive custom work. Legacy Overland fabricated custom engine and transmission mounts, built new driveshafts, and developed an adapter to connect the transmission to the Discovery's LT230 transfer case. The cooling system was completely reworked, while the exhaust manifolds and exhaust system were built from scratch.
Legacy Overland kept nearly all the original body panels, reflecting the company's preference for preserving the classic Discovery's design rather than radically changing it.
The exterior upgrades are relatively restrained but purposeful. They include steel front and rear bumpers, black protective grilles over the headlights and taillights, fender flares, and glossy black steel wheels. Toyo Open Country A/T tires complete the setup, giving the SUV a more convincing off-road stance without making it look excessively modified.
The cabin received a more extensive makeover. The seats, center console, gear selector, and door panels are upholstered in brown leather, while the headliner features a Burberry-inspired checkered pattern.
Modern technology is also part of the package. The Discovery now has an updated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay support and an improved audio system. The air-conditioning system has been rebuilt as well.
Project Ernie isn't an attempt to turn the classic Discovery into a modern luxury SUV. Instead, it shows how an older off-roader can retain its original personality while gaining more power, improved comfort, and upgraded mechanical components.
Legacy Overland reinforced the suspension with heavy-duty springs and fitted upgraded shock absorbers. The steering system has also been refreshed, and the braking system now uses stainless steel braided brake lines.
The result is a classic Land Rover with a more powerful American V8, a carefully updated interior, and mechanical improvements intended to make it more capable on modern roads and trails.
Legacy Overland has not disclosed the price of Project Ernie. Restorations involving this level of custom fabrication and mechanical work rarely come cheap, particularly when they include a complete engine conversion and a detailed interior rebuild.
For buyers looking for something more distinctive than a new luxury SUV, Project Ernie offers a different proposition: the familiar shape and character of a classic Discovery II, backed by a substantially reworked powertrain and carefully selected upgrades.