There are collectible 4x4s that make you dream, and then there are those that add a touch of Hollywood glamour. That’s exactly the case with a very special Land Rover that has just surfaced on an American auction platform, after nearly thirty years spent in the same garage. Its sole owner isn’t another enthusiast, but a screen star from the 1980s and 1990s. And collectors nationwide already have their eyes on it.
It is a 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 NAS that belonged to Kim Basinger since it was delivered new, now up for sale on the online auction platform Bring a Trailer. This Defender shows only 45,000 miles, about 72,000 km, and benefited in 2014 from a substantial restoration costing $37,000 at the specialist West Coast Rovers. The current bid already surpasses $80,000, and the sale is due to end on September 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM Pacific Time. Among collectors, including European Defender aficionados, this is bound to spark plenty of interest.
Kim Basinger’s 1997 Defender 90 NAS: A Rare, Cherished Piece
This Defender is a North American Specification (NAS) version, those limited editions that were specially homologated for the North American market toward the end of the 1990s. It is a Defender 90 NAS Station Wagon, recognizable by its original aluminum fixed roof that replaces the soft-top found on the more utilitarian variants. The bodywork is painted Arles Blue, a iconic shade paired with a white roof, a combination highly sought after by the marque’s enthusiasts. Under the hood lies a 4.0-liter V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, with permanent four-wheel drive and a two-range transfer case, a package built for serious off-roading as well as comfortable highway cruising.
Delivered new to Kim Basinger in 1997, this Defender 90 has never changed hands. In nearly thirty years, it has logged only 45,000 miles, with roughly 1,000 miles accumulated since its comprehensive refresh in 2014. The restoration, carried out by West Coast Rovers, involved the disassembly of the bodywork, a full repaint, reconditioning of the cylinder head, replacement of numerous seals, a complete reupholstery of the interior with Exmoor cloth seats, the installation of a suspension kit with a 2-inch lift, the replacement of several braking components, and even the windshield. The result is a Defender 90 NAS presented in near concours condition while preserving its original charm.
Bring a Trailer Auction: Why Kim Basinger’s Defender 90 Is Taking Off
In the market, well-preserved 1997 NAS Defenders have already fetched high prices in recent years. The average price for a 1997 Defender hovers around $77,053, roughly €69,000, and NAS units with low mileage routinely exceed the $100,000 mark, approaching or surpassing $90,000. In this context, seeing this car already crack the $80,000 threshold in current bidding, with a bid around $86,000 (about €77,000) and several days left, should not come as a surprise to seasoned bidders. Between its NAS limited run, its low mileage, the documented restoration, and its single-owner history, all the ingredients are in place to reach a six-figure result.
An extra detail that heightens the Defender’s appeal is the handwritten note Kim Basinger added to the file. The actress writes: “They’ve asked me every day since day one… You want to sell it? In my heart… I will never sell it – It’s a very special example – Please take good care of it!”, cited by Jalopnik, followed by: “P.S. and above all enjoy it!” Between this personal touch, a clean provenance with an unbroken history, the highly coveted Arles Blue with white roof configuration, and the expert preparation by a specialist, this 4×4 checks all the boxes of a true collector’s item. For a French enthusiast, such a Defender remains a dream and a symbol to behold, almost as much for its Hollywood pedigree as for its place in Land Rover’s history.
