We love a good vintage off-roader resto-mod here at the Gear Patrol motoring desk. A classic silhouette, modern performance and exquisite craftsmanship — well, that's a tough combination to beat. And while the six-figure price points mean these sorts of rigs will remain untouchable for many of us, it’s always fun to look at (and fantasize about) the finer things.
Below, we've pulled together are eight of our favorite custom off-roader restorations from 2020, ranging from better-than-new factory recreations to modern electric motor swaps.
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Ball and Buck CJ-8 Scrambler
Ball and Buck
Outdoor menswear manufacturer Ball and Buck launched a line of custom Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler pickups. You can ride off into the sunset in one for less than $100,000.
Chevy’s K5 Blazer-E looks pretty much like the standard 1977 Blazer. But as you may have guessed from the “E,” it’s powered by electricity — specifically, a Chevrolet eCrate motor sourced from the Chevy Bolt EV.
FJ Company built a tribute to the long-wheelbase FJ45 Troopy Land Cruiser. It's a custom, practical four-door conversion; the "S" stands for "supercharger."
Land Rover built a limited run of super-fancy, V8, old-style 70th Anniversary Defenders after the production run ended in 2016. You can't buy those here in the U.S., but Himalaya built a tribute that's the closest thing you can buy.
Land Rover launched its Land Rover Reborn program this year, in which the company planned to return 25 original Land Rover Series I vehicles home to the Solihull factory for a complete restoration using original processes and materials. Car Zero, 1950 Series I SWB from Australia, was the first to go.
The Land Rover Defender has become an upmarket status symbol. Overfinch embraced that with their lavish Defender 90 build, which includes "yacht-inspired teak" in the cargo area.
