The car retains the rugged original looks of the Land Rover Defender 90, but comes with a host of unique features, details, and craftsmanship that are tailored to Lando’s exacting specifications.

One of the most striking styling modifications to the car, is the complete removal of its roof—a first for Retro Automotive, one of the world’s leading classic Land Rover restoration specialists.

“When we consulted with Lando about his customization project, he was clear that he wanted the car to be completely topless, without any form of roof or sticks,” explains Ben Davies, director at Retro Automotive. “We’ve never had that request before. Customers normally want some form of roof on it, so this really enhanced the individuality of the creation.”

Aside from the bodywork, the retro-styled Defender also features a distinctive McLaren-inspired color combination. The Nardo Grey is a special pearlescent mix, made just for Lando, while the Muirhead Egyptian Blue leather adds some Mediterranean cool to the finish. 3D-printed metal ‘Lando Norris’ iconography is displayed around the car, including at the center of the stunning hand-finished leather steering wheel.

Of course, comfort and useability were high on the list of Lando’s specification for the creation, which resulted in a restoration build up from bare metal, taking more than 1,000 hours.

The car sits low and squat one moment, but with its adjustable air suspension, is ready for the Riviera’s beaches at the flick of a switch. The rear bench seats have been extended to ensure Lando can accommodate even more passengers on his journeys. Entertainment hasn’t been overlooked, and the car’s Pioneer head unit features Apple CarPlay. The Defender is also fitted with a removable Marshall Kilburn II cubby speaker system that can be pulled out and taken onto the beach to provide passengers with some serious cool summer sounds, even when they’ve left the vehicle.

“Monaco is perhaps one of the most head-turning locations in the whole of Europe, so our creation for Lando will certainly be in good company”, adds Davies. “I’m sure eagle-eyed visitors to the area will be photographing the car for social media, which is exactly how Lando’s interest came about.”

With production limited to just 15 vehicles per year, demand for Retro Defenders’ creations far outstrips the supply. Consultation through to delivery often takes at least six months, although customers are regularly updated on the car’s progress through a personalized build portal app. In-person factory visits are encouraged before a final VIP vehicle handover takes place at the luxurious Swinton Estate in Yorkshire, close to Retro Defenders’ global HQ.

Having completed and delivered Lando’s Defender project to Monaco, the team are now busy creating other retro project vehicles for customers around the globe.