At Phoenix Restorations, we specialize in the restoration and export of classic Land Rover Defender and Series models for clients worldwide. Operating from our restoration facility in Türkiye, historically positioned at the crossroads of major international trade routes, we combine access to rare donor vehicles with the craftsmanship required to build high-quality restorations that are designed to be driven, enjoyed, and relied upon.
With operational presence in Florida and dealer connections throughout Europe, including Germany, we assist clients through the sourcing, restoration, and international delivery process from start to finish. Whether you are searching for a restored Defender 110, a classic Land Rover Series 3, or a fully custom-built Defender tailored to your specifications, our goal is to preserve the heritage of these vehicles while improving reliability, drivability, and long-term durability.
Phoenix Restorations was founded by Philippe Berk De Andria, whose Italian and Turkish roots, combined with years spent living in Toronto, shaped a deep appreciation for classic automotive culture and international craftsmanship. The philosophy behind the company is simple: these vehicles were built to be driven.
Classic Land Rovers are imperfect in all the right ways. They are mechanical, analog, and full of character. Their appeal comes not from modern luxury, but from the feeling they create behind the wheel and the stories they carry with them. Every restoration aims to preserve that personality while strengthening the vehicle underneath.
Our location provides unique sourcing opportunities for Defender Land Rover and Series models that are increasingly difficult to find elsewhere. Türkiye has a long-standing history with Land Rover production through Otokar — owned by Koç Holding, one of the country’s largest industrial groups, which manufactured Land Rover Defenders for military and utility applications for many years.
This allows us access to a wide range of donor vehicles including:
Defender 90 and Defender 110 models
300Tdi and TD5 Defenders
Classic 3.5L V8 configurations
2.5L petrol and diesel variants
Camper and expedition-ready Defenders
Land Rover Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 vehicles
In addition to sourcing within Türkiye, our geographic position allows us to source vehicles throughout neighboring European regions including Greece and Georgia.
For many clients, these vehicles are more than recreational purchases. Well-restored classic Land Rovers have historically shown strong value retention and growing collector interest worldwide. Because of our location and sourcing network, we are often able to deliver investment-grade Defender restorations at pricing that remains competitive relative to similar builds in the United States or Western Europe.
Every build begins with two critical evaluation points:
a structurally sound chassis,
and an engine that is running before restoration begins.
Although every engine undergoes a complete overhaul during the restoration process, we believe it is important to begin with a mechanically functioning platform before investing in a full build.
Once approved, the vehicle is stripped down to its bare chassis. The body, drivetrain, suspension, transmission, axles, and mechanical systems are completely separated and individually inspected.
The chassis is sandblasted to remove rust, corrosion, paint, and debris. While surface rust is common on classic Defenders, our qualification process focuses heavily on ensuring structural integrity before restoration begins.
Following sandblasting:
damaged sections are repaired or reinforced if necessary,
welds and stress points are inspected,
and the chassis is hot-dip galvanized in molten zinc for long-term corrosion resistance.
A galvanized chassis is one of the most important foundations of a long-lasting Land Rover restoration, particularly for vehicles expected to see wet climates, coastal environments, or off-road use.
While the chassis is being galvanized, the mechanical systems undergo complete restoration.
Axles, suspension components, drivetrain parts, and supporting hardware are cleaned, restored, and refinished using static paint coatings for durability and protection. Depending on the build specification, we install upgraded suspension systems, rebuilt axles, fully refreshed braking systems with four-wheel disc brakes, and either restored manual transmissions or automatic transmission conversions.
Engine options regularly include:
300Tdi
TD5
3.5L Rover V8
classic 2.5 petrol and diesel engines
Each engine is fully disassembled and rebuilt. Internal components are inspected, cleaned, machined, honed, resealed, and reassembled to restore performance and reliability as close as possible to factory condition. Chrome hardware is used extensively throughout the build to help reduce future corrosion.
Once the rolling chassis and drivetrain are completed, body assembly begins.
Every body panel is inspected individually. Salvageable panels are restored only if they meet our structural and cosmetic standards. When necessary, we source entirely new body components from trusted suppliers who manufacture parts used by established restoration companies internationally.
Before paint and assembly:
body panels receive epoxy primer protection,
sealing surfaces are refinished,
and precautions are taken to reduce galvanic corrosion caused by reactions between aluminum and steel components over time.
The vehicle then receives:
new seals and gaskets,
updated electrical systems,
restored or redesigned upholstery,
insulation and soundproofing,
and modern convenience upgrades where requested.
The final result is a classic Land Rover that retains its original spirit while becoming significantly more usable, durable, and dependable.
Phoenix Restorations operates as an international Land Rover restoration company serving clients throughout the United States, Europe, and beyond. We assist with sourcing, restoration, documentation, export logistics, and international Defender delivery throughout the build process.
Whether you are looking for Land Rovers for sale, a restored Land Rover Defender 110, a Land Rover Series restoration, or a fully custom Defender project, our goal is to build vehicles that feel timeless both mechanically and visually.
Every vehicle is sourced intentionally, restored methodically, and built to be driven for decades to come.
