Awesome Defender spotted in Tilba

[The Cone of Silence]

Wednesday 8th Jan. The girlfriend is down in Tilba with her family while I'm busy at work.

I received a rather excited message from her with two photos of a Puma Defender that she'd spotted down by their cabins. It's Stornoway Grey with a white roof. Dual sliding windows instead of rear doors.

She said it was owned by a South African chap called Rob (great name) who's on his way back from Adelaide to Sydney.

If it's you, or if anyone on here knows who it is, please get in touch - I'd love to check the truck out when it gets back to Sydney!

Bobby

p.s. Given that these are a 2-door, does that make them a coupé?!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=70975&stc=1&d=1389218756

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=70976&stc=1&d=1389218756

[BMKal]

Now if you could buy something like that new in Australia, I'd be interested.

Wife's uncle used to have a much older version of the same body - was a brilliant vehicle for touring / camping.

Considered buying a 4 door, but couldn't see the point, so have stuck with the Disco's.

[jc109]

It's a 'hard top'. Available here.

[sam_d]

I'm pretty sure I saw him on Kangaroos Island around NYE. And certainly if he is heading back from Adelaide it could well be the same guy.

I was also pretty interested in the dual sliding windows at the rear - I've not seen that set up before.

[The Cone of Silence]

One of the Defenders at the Expo had the dual sliding windows, until then I'd not seen one before.

I hope I can track him down.

[Ranga]

It's a 'hard top'. Available here.

Indeed, Defender Hard Top. 4X4 Van With 3,500KG High Towing Capability. | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/defender/explore/hard-top/), but normally they don't have side windows.

[UncleHo]

The sliding rear windows would be an aftermarket fitment which you would order through the dealer.:)

You could order 2 x fixed and 2 x sliding

[Ranga]

I reckon gullwings would be best

[UncleHo]

Yeah! like those very useful but on left only ;)

[steane]

I'm pretty sure I saw him on Kangaroos Island around NYE. And certainly if he is heading back from Adelaide it could well be the same guy.

I was also pretty interested in the dual sliding windows at the rear - I've not seen that set up before.

Dual sliding windows look very similar to what the Army TD5 Hardtops were running. I pinched some for my Hardtop but ended up retro fitting them with a single pane of glass. Too much work to fix them up and they looked like they'd be rattling shortly after you did.

[jc109]

The only real use I can think of for the sliding windows would be for extra ventilation if sleeping in the rear. I'd still prefer fixed windows for the added security and weather-proofing. Or am I missing something?

Regardless, this is still a great vehicle and every time I see one on the road (which is an all too rare occurrence) I get a nagging doubt and I start missing my SIII all over again.

[knodes85]

The Puma hard tops are far more common up here in Brisbane.

I've got one (first picture) and my father-in-law has one (second picture). They're definitely the ultimate two person tourer. Install a bed in the back and you've got a transportable room with a view (third picture)!

Bobby the one your girlfriend saw was kitted out by the original owner then sat on the market in Tasmania for a long time after a change in the owner’s circumstances. Were it a bit closer to Brisbane and a bit more Keswick Green I would have purchased it over mine.

John

[jc109]

Brilliant shots. I am having serious Defender envy now.