E.C.D. Automotive Design Reveals LS3-Powered Defender 110

E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.) has debuted another custom Defender 110, the Land Rover restoration shop announced. Project Ainsworth was painted using Sky Blue paint – inspired by a Fiat color and lightened to the client’s specifications. This custom color is made possible by the automotive paint specialists at E.C.D.’s in-house paint shop. With paint supplied by PPG, E.C.D. preps, primes and polishes each classic Defender by hand. E.C.D. also has a team member solely dedicated to removing textures or “orange peel” by wet sanding each panel to glass-like perfection.

“Our ability to create high-quality custom colors at a high volume will be multiplied with our move to our new 100,000 square-foot facility,” said E.C.D. Co-Founder Scott Wallace. “E.C.D. has made a half a million-dollar investment on a 500 square-foot state-of-the-art paint shop, complete with a prep station and a paint booth built by our partners at PPG. We’ll also have some new upgrades like infrared and heat lamps. Unlike E.C.D., not many boutique shops can say they have this factory-grade equipment in-house.”

The Project Ainsworth Defender is powered by an LS3+ producing 565 horsepower and is complemented by a Borla stainless steel dual exhaust and mated to 6-speed automatic transmission. The vintage Defender’s 20-inch Kahn Mondial Retro wheels are wrapped in BFG All-Terrain tires, has upgraded EBC FAST brakes and a 2-inch lifted suspension with FOX shocks. The exterior is paired with a silver 6-point external roll cage with four LED high-level lights perched on the crossbar. A matching silver Smittybilt roof rack with a rear ladder, classic bumper with DRLs and a Warn winch, two rear work lights and swing away wheel carrier finish this original Defender’s look.

Inside, Project Ainsworth’s two EXMOOR front seats, 60/40 bench seats in the middle and four inward-facing jump seats in the load area are wrapped in Full Grain Nappa 4004 Bentley Saddle leather. Other deluxe features include an E.C.D. custom steering wheel, All American Nickel gauge set, and a center console complete with custom E.C.D. rear air conditioning – all in the same smooth leather accenting the Puma dash and door cards. The old Defender has been revamped with modern upgrades like a Kenwood Excelon infotainment system with Bluetooth, WiFi, backup sensor, backup camera, five USB charging ports and an Infinity Kappa sound system.

Project Ainsworth Specifications

  • Model — Defender 110
  • Engine — LS3+ V8 565HP
  • Transmission — 6-Speed Automatic
  • Axles – Stock
  • Suspension — FOX Shocks with 2” Lift
  • Brakes – EBC FAST
  • Exhaust – Borla Stainless Steel Dual

Exterior

  • Paint Color — Lightened Fiat Blue Sky
  • Roof Top Color — Lightened Fiat Blue Sky
  • Wheels — 20” Kahn Mondial Retro
  • Tires — 20” BF Goodrich All-Terrain
  • Grille — Classic Land Rover Grille
  • Bumper — Classic Land Rover Bumper with DRL and Warn Winch
  • Additional Features — Custom Full External 6 Point Roll Cage with Ladder, Smittybilt Roof Rack, Mirror Caps Custom-Painted in Body Color, 4 LED Round High-Level Lights, 2 Rear Work Lights, Swing Away Wheel Carrier, Full-Length Side Steps

Interior

  • Seat Layout — 2+3+4
  • Front Seats — 2 EXMOOR Modular Seats
  • Middle Row Seats — 60/40 Bench Seat
  • Load Area Seats — 4 Inward Facing Jump Seats
  • Leather Color — Full Grain Nappa 4004 Bentley Saddle with Garret Maple Stitching
  • Seat Design — Horizontal Single Stitch Pattern
  • Dash – Puma Dashboard Wrapped in Full Grain Nappa 4004 Bentley Saddle Leather
  • Carpet — Black, OEM Rubber Mats All Around
  • Steering Wheel — E.C.D. Custom Wheel
  • Gauges — All American Nickel
  • Center Console — E.C.D. Custom with Rear AC

Audio & Electronics

  • Infotainment — Kenwood Excelon with Bluetooth
  • Sound System — Infinity Kappa Speakers and Subwoofers
  • Additional Features — Backup Sensor, Backup Camera, Rear AC, WiFi, USB (3 Front and 2 Rear)

By A.J. Hecht

A.J. Hecht is the managing editor of THE SHOP and host of the In Gear with THE SHOP podcast. Have an idea, a tip, or a question you’d like to see answered? Contact A.J. at ahecht@cahabamedia.com.