# 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.
- Title: Kim Basinger's Land Rover Defender hits the auction block
- Summary: The Academy Award winner's 1997 Defender 90 is pristine, low-mileage, and already commanding serious money. A well-maintained classic Defender with celebrity…
- Keywords: kim basinger, land rover defender, 1997 defender 90, bring a trailer, auction, classic cars, celebrity vehicles, off-road vehicles, automotive collectibles, Kim, Basinger's, Land
- Source: Robb Report — https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/kim-basinger-1997-land-rover-defender-auction-1238649438
- Author: Bryan Hood
- Published: 2026-09-17T17:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kim basinger, land rover defender, 1997 defender 90, bring a trailer, auction, classic cars, celebrity vehicles, off-road vehicles, automotive collectibles
## 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.
## Key takeaway

A well-maintained classic Defender with celebrity provenance can fetch double its original price at auction.