Land Rover Defender : old love does rust

'Old love doesn't rust' doesn't quite apply to the new Land Rover Defender. The Defender is being transformed into a rusty version of itself by car customizer Heritage Customs, run by Niels van Roij (former Master) and Jan-Pieter Kroezen, making a tough, raw version of the Land Rover Defender take to the streets.Text: Patrick Stoffer
Image: Niels van Roij DesignWith the Land Rover Defender it is possible to drive under the most extreme conditions. The Dutch company Heritage Customs has transformed the classic Land Rover Defender into a rusty version, giving the bolide a completely new and tough look. The reborn SUV features matching brown leather and a carbon fiber inlay interior in addition to new custom-made rims. Despite giving the impression that the vehicle has been sitting unused in the rain for years, it still just rolled off the assembly line.Photo: Niels van Roij DesignThe car-chitecture studio has placed rusted metal teardrop spots on the hood and side grilles using a unique metal bonding technology. This technology allows Heritage Customs to paint all types of metal on all interior and exterior surfaces of different models of the Defender, based on the new and classic versions. After application, the material can be brushed, polished, sanded and oxidized (rusted), making each version almost unique and allowing a customized Defender to roll right into the parking lot.Photo: Niels van Roij Design