From Robb Report · Bryan Hood · · 1m 30s
Kim Basinger's Land Rover Defender hits the auction block
The Academy Award winner's 1997 Defender 90 is pristine, low-mileage, and already commanding serious money.
In brief
The Academy Award winner's 1997 Defender 90 is pristine, low-mileage, and already commanding serious money. A well-maintained classic Defender with celebrity provenance can fetch double its original price at auction. Originally reported by Robb Report.
Oscar winner's Defender goes to auction
Kim Basinger's 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 is up for grabs on Bring a Trailer. The actress has owned the SUV since new, and it shows just 45,000 miles.
The Defender's legendary history
Land Rover's Defender debuted in 1983 as a modern update to the original Series from the 1940s. It stayed in production until 2016, becoming an icon for its distinctive shape and off-road prowess.
Rare North American spec model
Basinger's Defender is a two-door North American-spec model from 1997, the final year it was officially sold in the U.S. It's one of just 2,800 produced, numbered 142.
Aries Blue with distinctive features
The SUV wears Aries Blue paint with a white aluminum roof, unusual for Defenders that typically came with soft tops. The interior has gray Exmoor cloth seating for six, plus an external roll cage and air-conditioning.
V-8 power and recent restoration
The original 4.0-liter V-8 produces 182 horsepower and 233 foot-pounds of torque. A 2014 refurbishment included a rebuilt cylinder head, new gaskets, water pump, and a two-inch suspension lift.
Bidding already doubles original price
With five days left in the auction, bids have reached $86,000, more than double the Defender's original price. Basinger included a handwritten note with the vehicle.
The key point
A well-maintained classic Defender with celebrity provenance can fetch double its original price at auction.
