Instantly recognizable the world over, Land Rover’s beloved Defender—until 1990 known simply as the “90” or “110” in reference to its available wheelbases—was nevertheless officially offered in the United States market only for a short time and in relatively limited quantities.

Land Rover developed the North American Specification, or NAS, Defenders for sale in the US and Canadian markets beginning in 1994. These benefitted from an external roll cage and niceties such as air conditioning. Although both Defender 90 and 110 variants were offered at the outset, this was soon streamlined to only the Defender 90. Power came initially from a 3.9-liter V-8 paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, but by 1997 this had been upgraded to a 4.0-liter distributor-less V-8 and a ZF four-speed automatic transmission. After the 1997 model year, US regulations made selling the Defender in the American market infeasible, and exports ceased. The nameplate would not return officially to America, in the form of a radically modern luxury SUV, until 2020.

Fittingly for a vehicle with a reputation for adventure, this NAS Defender 90 has itself done a bit of globe-trotting. As confirmed by its accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, it was completed at Land Rover’s Solihull plant on 21 May 1997. Finished in Alpine White over a Grey vinyl interior, it was a left-hand drive vehicle built to North American export specification. However, it was delivered instead to Paris, France; failing to find a buyer there, it was eventually transferred off the mainland to a Land Rover dealer on the island of Corsica.

Acquired by the consignor in 2004, it was shipped to the UK in 2008. Though little-used, this Land Rover has been carefully maintained by them over the years. At time of cataloguing, it displayed fewer than 1,290 miles, and it is reported to have never been involved in an accident. Consistent with this very limited use, it retains its factory paintwork and interior trimmings. Even its BF Goodrich tires are said to be the original, factory-delivered items! It is accompanied by a BMIHT certificate and English-language owner’s manuals.

Vintage Land Rovers are perennially desirable vehicles, but their legendary utility means that they are often heavily used and abused; moreover, the Defender is an increasingly popular platform for aftermarket modification. A final-year NAS Defender 90 in such remarkably original, factory-stock condition, with such incredibly low mileage, is a truly rare find—one that promises abundant adventure and excitement for its fortunate next owner.