American Heart, British Body: Defender Just Got a Corvette V8—and It’s a $210,000 Beast

Osprey Custom has unveiled another heavily modified classic Land Rover Defender, and this one gets a distinctly American twist. The shop dropped a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette under the hood, turning the short-wheelbase SUV into a frame-built muscle machine with serious off-road credentials.

The V8 produces 435 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a strengthened LT230 transfer case. To make sure the chassis can handle the extra power, Osprey also upgraded the driveshafts, axles and CV joints with heavy-duty components.

The exterior gets a body kit from Project Kahn, including wider fender flares, a redesigned front end, a new grille, headlight surrounds and a black steel bumper.

The body is finished in an unexpected shade called Viking Blue Metallic. One of the most distinctive additions is a four-point roll cage with a matte silver powder-coated finish. A dark brown soft top with removable side panels also lets the owner open up the rear of the Defender for a more old-school, open-air driving experience.

Inside, Osprey brings the classic SUV into the modern era with a new 7-inch infotainment display featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin also gets a Rockford Fosgate/Memphis eight-speaker audio system and ambient lighting.

The mechanical upgrades go well beyond the engine swap. The Defender features a high-performance exhaust system, an aluminum radiator, dual electric cooling fans, dedicated oil-cooler lines and stainless-steel brake lines.

All of that comes at a serious price: $210,000.

That's a lot of money for a vintage Defender, but this isn't simply a restored classic. Osprey has combined the character of an old-school British 4x4 with a modernized chassis, updated technology and the unmistakable sound and muscle of an American V8.

For buyers who want a classic Defender without giving up modern performance—and who don't mind spending six figures to get it—this Osprey build offers a particularly interesting combination of British heritage and American horsepower.