Much like the beloved Jeep Wrangler, the Land Rover Defender’s reputation is of a capable, war-born SUV with a removable top that became a cult classic in the civilian world. So when the new Defender was announced, it was somewhat disappointing that the new British SUVs only came with a fixed roof. No canvas top option? Really? Well, Heritage Customs heard the call from their customers and are in the process of releasing a convertible conversion of the Defender based on their own Vailance, their customized version of the new Defender.
Off With Its Head
We spoke to Niels van Roij, co-owner of Heritage Customs and well known for his Ferrari Breadvan Hommage shooting brake recreation, about the convertible conversion of the Defender. Heritage is a coachwork company best known for the Valiance, a custom version of the new Land Rover Defender, where the overall body is still distinctly Defender but with some interesting exterior touches and amazing treatments to their interiors to make them unique.
Anyway, van Roij and Heritage heard owners state that they wanted the ability to take the roof off their new Defenders much like they are able to with their old ones. “A selection of our clients have both the classical as well as the new model,” said van Roij, “We actually proposed the idea ourselves to a group of our clients and got an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Following that we took it forward.” Thus, the team got to work and has created the Valiance Convertible.
How Will It Be Done?
Heritage starts with a brand new Defender 90—the short-wheelbase, two-door model—and removes the roof from the windshield back along with the rear quarter window panels. Before you ask, no, Heritage won’t be doing this to the four-door Defender 110 due to how it looks without its roof. As van Roij puts it, “We believe the best looking convertible is a 3-door Valiance.”
The B-pillar does remain but it also will require a new crossbar, as the unibody of the Defender doesn’t have one. Thankfully, it won’t stick out like a sore thumb and will look as nice as the rest of the Valiance design, as van Roij explains, “We are planning to cover the roll bar indeed. That design choice is aesthetically a link to the classic Defender soft top and also one of the ways of retaining the structural integrity.” Strengthening the unibody will also play a role in making sure the structural integrity of Defender chassis remains intact.
Once the body strengthening is complete, the convertible conversion begins. The new retractable roof is powered, so you won’t need to get out and do it yourself save for the unlatching of the front section from the windshield frame. The only unfortunate part is that you’ll either have to enjoy it fully open or fully closed as there is no provision for just popping open the section above your head, as you can do in a Wrangler.
Fully Customized
For many owners of the Heritage Valiance, it isn’t just a touch here and a little bit of a custom work there. These vehicles are far more unique and go much further than even Land Rover SV Bespoke will go. As van Roij points out, “We are doing a lot of interior treatments to current client cars already. Most of our cars actually have entirely retrimmed interiors.” What’s more, Heritage is making new seats for the Valiance, “We are also offering a more supportive bespoke sports seat, developed in house, and a selection of different stitching patterns as well as materials for the Valiance. Naturally these options are available for the Valiance Convertible, too.”
Magical Metal
The material choices that van Roij pointed out are vast. Ranging from denim, leather, alcantara, and more than would be worthy of listing. However, one of the most interesting is “Magic Metal.” van Roij explained, “Magic Metal is applied to most of our cars. Heritage Customs has developed a unique metal binding technology and, with this product, it is possible for Heritage Customs to paint all types of metal on all interior and exterior surfaces of our Valiance.”
Patina’ed Plastic
The process he describes is just as interesting as turning a Defender into a Valiance Convertible. A part that Heritage or the customer wants to metalize, like the grille for instance, that is made of plastic, can be made to look like oxidized—rusted—metal. What the “Carchitecture” team at Heritage can do is spray a thin layer of black steel then then treats it to an oxidizing process. What you end up with is a patina-looking part, but one that remains as flexible as the plastic or other material it was sprayed on.
It’s not just black steel that can be oxidized, either. If it’s a metal, Heritage probably has a spray to match like copper, brass, bronze, tin, or even aluminum. The outfit can even brush, polish and sand those metalized parts for an even more bespoke look. “We have applied Magic Metal to exterior side vents, bonnet plates and grilles,” said van Roij, “On the interior we apply this to the center stack, door handles, torx screws, steering wheel, dashboard backs and other elements.”
When it’s all said and done, your Heritage Valiance will be unique for not only being a convertible Defender, but also one that is designed to your exact specifications. While it doesn’t need to be said that this won’t be an inexpensive process, it will certainly be one worth doing if you’re willing. Besides, who else can say they have a convertible Defender made after 2016, at the very least?
Keyword: Heritage Customs Land Rover Defender Convertible Brings Rooflessness to New 4x4