Every Legend Starts Somewhere

Every Shoreline Defender begins its journey with a story. Often, that story starts with a donor Defender, like the red D90 TD5 pictured above—its paint faded, its spirit intact, waiting to be reborn.

These vehicles carry history in every bolt and panel. What they need isn’t replacement—it’s revival. That’s where the Shoreline process begins.

Step 1: Choose Your Base Model

Each Defender platform brings its own personality and purpose. The Defender 90 is compact, agile, and perfectly suited for coastal drives or city escapes. The Defender 110 balances capability and comfort, while the Defender 130 adds commanding presence and space for long-distance adventure.

This choice defines everything that follows—how it drives, how it feels, and how it fits the owner’s lifestyle.

Step 2: Select Your Body Style

Every build starts with a vision. Clients can choose between four foundations:

The Beach: For open-air freedom, with a Stayfast convertible top.
The Heritage: A classic enclosed configuration for families or touring.
The Villain: A perfect mix of practicality and rugged charm.
The Modern: Shoreline’s fully bespoke model, available with carbon or heritage trim detailing.

From here, the Defender becomes something personal.

Step 3: The Initial Vision

The Shoreline team begins with a detailed consultation to understand your Defender’s identity—its body style, color, drivetrain, and interior finish. Every choice contributes to its character. Once the design is confirmed, the journey from concept to creation begins.

Step 4: Donor Search & Arrival

After an initial deposit, Shoreline’s sourcing team begins finding the ideal donor Defender—a genuine vehicle ready to serve as the base for your restoration.

When it arrives, the transformation begins. The donor is photographed, catalogued, and then stripped down completely.

Step 5: Strip Down and Chassis Restoration

The body is separated from the chassis, revealing decades of wear beneath. The frame is stripped, blasted, and coated for protection. Every component is evaluated and either restored or replaced.

The engine and transmission are rebuilt by trusted specialists, including Ashcroft Transmissions, ensuring performance that matches the Defender’s new life.

Step 6: Reassembly Begins

With the chassis renewed, the Defender begins to take shape once more. New suspension, braking, and driveline components are installed. This stage is where history meets craftsmanship—every bolt turned with precision, every part designed to last another lifetime.

Step 7: Interior Craftsmanship

While the chassis work continues, Shoreline’s craftsmen begin building the heart of the Defender—its interior.

From custom Defender interiors wrapped in hand-stitched leather to bespoke wood, metal, or carbon details, every element is made to order. The result is a space that feels both authentic and contemporary.

It’s not about making the Defender something it’s not—it’s about elevating what it always was.

Step 8: Paint and Finish

Next comes color. Clients select from an extensive palette, from heritage hues like Arles Blue to modern tones and finishes. Paint samples are sent for approval before the final coat is applied. The Defender’s new skin is layered with precision, creating a flawless finish that reflects its rebirth.

Step 9: Final Assembly and Detailing

Once painted, the body and chassis are reunited. Electrical systems are installed, lighting and trim are fitted, and final touches—badging, accessories, and fine detailing—complete the build.

Before delivery, every Defender undergoes a rigorous inspection and road test to ensure perfection in both form and function.

Step 10: The Reveal

Months after the first conversation, the finished Defender emerges—rebuilt, redefined, and reborn. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a story of transformation.

From a weathered donor to a handcrafted work of art, the Shoreline process proves that true craftsmanship never goes out of style.

Start Your Own Shoreline Journey

Every build begins with a conversation. Whether you dream of a heritage restoration or a modern coastal cruiser, Shoreline Vehicles makes it possible.

Inside the Shoreline Process: How a Defender Becomes a Work of Art