• Helderburg spent 3,000 hours upgrading this Land Rover.
  • The 2.8 diesel keeps its block but gets cooling upgrades.
  • A modern display with CarPlay replaces the stock system.

For decades, the classic Land Rover Defender has served as a favorite canvas for custom builders, who reimagine them by modernizing the mechanicals, reworking the interiors and exteriors, and often swapping in more powerful engines.

Read: He Bought 240 Classic Land Rover Defenders And Turned Them Into A Goldmine

But even in a crowded field of ambitious overhauls, some builds still manage to stand out. Arvon, a heavily reworked Defender by Helderburg in Arkansas, is one of them. It’s wild, meticulously detailed, and, at $393,000, priced well into supercar territory.

They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine

This Land Rover took more than 3,000 hours to complete, costing more than double the price of a factory-fresh Defender Defender OCTA. Clearly, the family behind it wasn’t interested in half-measures. Their request to Helderburg was simple: build the ultimate Defender, no compromises.

Why Stick with the Old Diesel?

While many restomods go straight for modern V8s or electric conversions, Helderburg went in a different direction. Arvon retains its numbers-matching 2.8-liter inline-six turbo-diesel.

They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine

The engine has been entirely rebuilt and subtly modernized with a new cylinder end and a double-stack radiator that’s said to keep the engine cool enough to let the Defender “idle indefinitely in direct coastal sunlight.”

There’s no word on how much power it has, but we know the engine has been paired with upgraded brakes, including beefed-up calipers and new stainless braided lines.

Pearl Blue and Purposeful

They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine

The Defender’s exterior is just about perfect. It has been refinished in a shade of High Pearl Metallic Blue and includes a new front end, including a bespoke bumper, new headlights and clusters, and a winch. It also has a light-brown removable fabric roof, black side steps, flared arches, and new black wheels, shod in mud-terrain tires.

According to Helderburg, the wife of the couple who ordered Arvon wanted the interior to feel at home in the Hamptons. To that end, the cabin has been reupholstered in cream and brown leather, finished with white contrast stitching. A modern infotainment system with Apple CarPlay sits beside a wood-rimmed steering wheel. The door cards are new, as are the seats, which include twin rear benches.

They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine
They Spent Nearly $400,000 On A Classic Defender, And Didn’t Even Swap The Engine