We’d like to introduce the newest addition to our family. Merlin, the little black Landy. Merlin is a Land Rover Defender 90 and is set up and ready for adventure.

The History of the Land Rover Defender

Land Rover as a brand, has a history and following greater than almost any other car manufacturer. With the first models rolling off the production in in 1948 with the Series I. Built with a no-nonsense, go-anywhere attitude, Land Rovers were designed to be as comfortable on the farm as they were on safari.

The Defender was introduced in 1983 with the 90 coming to the market in 1984 as a capable alternative to the longer wheelbase versions. The ‘90’in the name refers to the length of the wheelbase, in this case 90 inches long. An alternative to the 110 and 130 inch options. Over the decades, the Defender has evolved, but it has never lost its rugged charm, remaining a favourite for adventurers, explorers, and even royalty

One of the standouts features of the Defender 90 is its off-road capability. Due to the shorter wheelbase, it is designed to be able to tackle almost any terrain possible. With its robust construction, all-wheel drive, and impressive ground clearance, this 4WD legend can tackle mud, sand, rocks, and anything in between. It’s not just a vehicle—it’s a gateway to places where the paved roads end, and the real adventure begins.

In modern times, the original boxy design has become iconic. With almost no changes to the appearance from its original launch, the look of the defender goes hand in hand with its off road ability.

Merlin: Our One-of-a-Kind Adventure Companion

With the existing capability and raw design in mind, we set out to make sure that Merlin was set up for our local conditions and to give you a one-of-a-kind experience on your wedding day!

Once a classic ‘Chelsea tractor’ or ‘Pavement Princess’ cruising the high streets of Perth, we knew we’d need to add a few extras to help make our lives easier. We’ve fitted a range of modifications to ensure every elopement and off-road experience is as safe, comfortable, and magical as possible. Here’s the full list of mods and accessories:

• A full-length Rhino roof rack. With the short wheelbase, storage inside the vehicle is at a premium so being able to chuck things on the roof gives us loads of options to maximise the storage available including recovery gear and fishing rods.
• A Roo Bar. Living in Australia, there is always a potential of hitting a Kangaroo or Emu that has decided it wants to be on the other side of the road. A Roo Bar is a must have for anybody wanting to do any twilight and evening driving and making it home in one piece.
• Spotlights. A pair of spotties and a light bar by Stedi, helps keep the roads and verges lit up for the drives home. This will help us see those animals that want to try and dart across in front of us.
• Rear facing lights. As we’re often driving around 4wd tracks, car parks and wineries in the evenings, to help us see when navigating these rear facing lights help us spot those bollards, rocks and parked cars we may not have normally seen!
• 270-degree awning. In the possibility of it being a rainy wedding day, we’ve fitted a swing away awning that covers the side and back of the car to keep us all dry while you say your ‘I Do’s’
• 12000lb winch. In case we do come across some sticky terrain having the winch as our last resort means we’re confident we can get in and out of almost anywhere.
• Onboard air compressor. We’ve had an ARB dual piston on board air compressor fitted with easy access switch and hose fittings to make airing up the tyres after dune and beach missions quick and easy.
• Dual batteries. A Redarc battery controller helps to power all the accessories and gives a backup in case of a flat starter battery.
• Custom cabinetry including bouquet and champagne glass holder, tool storage, drinks esky. The short wheelbase doesn’t leave much for storage, so we’ve had to make the most of the space available.
• ICE upgrades. To keep the Defender modern, we fitted a new dash layout with space for a Kenwood head unit with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
• Personalised numberplate – WILDEL0PE Well… it had to be done! Although we thought we’d keep it all a little discreet without any additional branding

A Word of Caution for the Tall Adventurers

Now, Land Rovers are famous for lots of things, their off road ability, their lack of performance, wide turning circles and there’s one thing that you might need to consider that could affect your enjoyment of the day. If you’re over 6 feet tall, you might find your head brushing against the roof! We like to think of it as a typical Defender idiosyncrasy, but if headroom is a priority, don’t worry—we’ve got another vehicle up our sleeves to make sure everyone’s comfortable.

Adventure Awaits with Merlin

Merlin is more than just a 4WD—it’s an integral part of every adventure we create. Whether it’s navigating the rugged landscape of the South-West, setting the scene for an elopement, or simply offering a cosy spot to pop a bottle of champagne, Merlin brings a sense of security, style, and a dash of wild magic.

Every adventure, every twist in the trail, and every mile on Merlin tells a story—a story of love, adventure, and the incredible places we’ve been. And don’t worry—he’s still looking as sharp as ever! And with so many more adventures ahead, we can’t wait to see where Merlin takes us next.

Ready to hit the road and make memories with us? Get in touch with us today!!