When Land Rover discontinued the classic Defender pick-up in 2016 after a 67-year run, it left a void in the hearts of enthusiasts who appreciated the utilitarian elegance of an open-bed workhorse. Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs has been filling that space with extraordinary builds for years now, and their latest creation, the Valiance Pick-Up, takes the modern Defender 130 and transforms it into something Land Rover itself won’t make anymore — a proper pick-up truck that honors the model’s agricultural roots while embracing contemporary luxury.
A Return to Form
Heritage Customs isn’t new to reimagining Defenders. Following their successful Valiance Convertible project, the Dutch firm set their sights on an even more ambitious undertaking: creating the world’s first pick-up conversion of the new Defender 130. Where the 130 typically seats up to six passengers in SUV configuration, the Valiance strips away the rear section and replaces it with a handcrafted cargo bed measuring roughly 39″ deep, 55″ wide, and featuring a practical angular design between the wheel arches.
The transformation goes beyond simply chopping the roof. Heritage Customs treats each build as a semi-coachbuilt project, meaning substantial modifications happen in-house by skilled artisans who’ve spent years perfecting their craft. Every panel receives careful attention, with hand-selected materials and bespoke details. The cargo bed itself gets finished in durable Raptor coating with an Alcantara-lined headliner.
Bespoke Everything
One of Heritage Customs’ calling cards is personalization, and the Valiance Pick-Up delivers on that front. Buyers work directly with the company’s head designer to specify exterior colors, interior materials, wheel designs, and trim packages. The base conversion includes a complete exterior and interior paint job, Heritage Customs’ proprietary wheels in 22-inch diameter wrapped in rugged rubber, sport seats, a roof rack with integrated LED bar, premium leather upholstery, and darkened taillights. Optional decal packs — either “Dynamic” or “Unbound” — add visual flair.
Under the hood sits a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 pumping out 419 horsepower, borrowed from the Defender 130 X Dynamic SE donor vehicle. The eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system remain intact, ensuring the Valiance retains all the off-road capability Land Rover engineered into the platform.
Spec Sheet
Model: Heritage Customs Valiance Pick-Up
Base Vehicle: Land Rover Defender 130 X Dynamic SE
Engine: 5.0L Supercharged V8
Power: 419hp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: AWD
Cargo Bed Dimensions: 39″ depth × 55″ width (47″ between arches)
Wheels: 22″ Heritage Customs bespoke designs
Conversion Cost: Starting at €65,000 (excluding donor vehicle)
Limited Production: 2 units for January/February 2026 slots
Pricing & Availability
Heritage Customs plans to build just two Valiance Pick-Ups for the January/February 2026 production slots, with each project taking approximately two to three months from start to finish. The conversion alone runs around €65,000 (~$75,000), which includes the pick-up transformation, paint, upholstery, wheels, and decals. That figure doesn’t account for the donor Defender 130, which Heritage Customs sources on behalf of clients. The company is accepting reservations for the vehicle with a €10,000 (~$11,549) deposit to secure one of the limited production slots. American buyers can work through Heritage Customs’ joint venture with Urban USA to navigate import regulations.
Recap
Heritage Customs Valiance Pick-Up Defender 130
Dutch coachbuilder Heritage Customs is bringing back the Defender pick-up that Land Rover discontinued in 2016, transforming the modern Defender 130 into a handcrafted cargo hauler that eliminates the third row and adds fully bespoke interior and exterior options.
