Land Rover’s OG Defender Stuns After a Classic Ferrari TreatmentGear PatrolgvandykeUpdatedThu, September 10, 2026 at 6:41 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleTwisted Automotive has revealed a new commission that looks to breathtaking 1960s Italian classics for visual inspiration.If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn moreDefenders tend to attract the same handful of colors, like Bronze Green, Limestone white and various grays and blacks. As a result, whenever a Land Rover restomod takes a different direction, well, even the paint choice is worth appreciating.AdvertisementAdvertisementEspecially when it has the ability to dazzle, as this example from Yorkshire-based Twisted Automotive does. Though perhaps not as sensational as Land Rover's own recent Defender commissions, it still wears a hue that's plenty exotic in origin.Hyperion Blue makes for a bold choice on a utilitarian vehicle like the Defender, but I think the juxtaposition works to its advantage. - Credit: Twisted AutomotiveA graceful take on Defender utilityThat's because, as part of its debut at The Bridge X this year, Twisted Automotive will be bringing a T110 build finished in Hyperion Blue. If you recognize the color, it's likely for good reason.View this post on InstagramMany 1960s Italian performance legends wore the choice as an eye-catching hue named Azzurro Hyperion. Ferrari offered the option on jaw-dropping grand tourers such as the 365 GT 2+2. Maserati did the same with its own midcentury beauties, like the Mistral.As such, it makes for a bold but cohesive choice on a Land Rover. The color's pigment and pedigree sit in deliberate tension with the Defender's boxy, utilitarian silhouette.Twisted's treatment also brings a comprehensive nut-and-bolt overhaul. - Credit: Twisted AutomotiveAt the same time, though, it doesn't seem at all out of place; the old-school vibe makes the newer donor look more like its Land Rover ancestors from back in the day.AdvertisementAdvertisementOf course, that kind of juxtaposition is what the outfit is all about. "Taking a shade traditionally reserved for 1960s Italian supercars and draping it over a rugged, boxy British utility icon is unapologetically Twisted," said Phil Chapman, Twisted's head of brand.The 6.2-liter LT1 V8 (matched to a different sand-colored build in this case) is rated for 480 horsepower. - Credit: Twisted AutomotiveAnd the color story doesn't obscure what's underneath. Twisted claims that the resulting commission represents 2,500 hours of hand-crafted engineering.For good reason. Along with stripping the donor down to bare metal and rebuilding it from the ground up, Twisted claims to rework every nut, bolt and panel to surpass factory tolerance.It also swaps the stock engine for a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 rated at 480 horsepower and adds various performance upgrades like beefier brakes and modernized suspension.Twisted Automotive seeks to challenge, even with details like paint color. - Credit: Twisted AutomotiveAvailability and pricingTwisted will be displaying its Hyperion Blue Defender alongside a second T110 commission at The Bridge X from September 18 – 20, 2026, in Bridgehampton, New York.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you're interested in commissioning a Land Rover yourself, you can send inquiries through the brand's US channel.Twisted Automotive T110 Hyperion Blue Learn More About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he's not chasing the latest industry news, he's probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.
