Look, before we even start, the custom truck builder world is busy, to say the least. If you zoom in on just Land Rover builders, the space is downright overcrowded. There are more super-high-end Land Rover Defender Builders than you can shake a stick at. At some point, we have to ditch the superlatives. That said, Oshe Automotive is building super-cool Land Rover Defenders with good taste and expert skill.
- Divisions
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Jaguar
- Founded
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1948 (as Rover), 1978 (as Land Rover ltd.)
- Founder
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British Leyland
- Headquarters
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Solihull, West Midlands, England, UK
- Current CEO
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Thierry Bolloré
So when Oshe Automotive first announced the Zambezi, it was clear that it would be quality. However, it’s still another builder turning Land Rover’s most iconic 4×4 platform into something altogether more refined, adventurous, and undeniably cool. Now, the hand-built Zambezi Defender is set to make an even bigger splash: it will serve as the official course car for Silverstone Festival 2025, leading the celebrations during one of the most important weekends in motorsport history.
There’s a strange juxtaposition happening when you see a Land Rover Defender at a racetrack. It’s like a cat with skates on or something. Strange as it may be, this cat won’t be sitting pretty under spotlights. It’ll be in motion, showing off its blend of British heritage and African soul at the world’s biggest historic racing festival, August 22–24, at Silverstone. And if ever there was a Defender, of all the custom Defenders, worthy of that role, this is it.
Born From the Defender, Built the Oshe Way
At its core, the Oshe Zambezi is still a Defender 110. But saying that undersells it a bit. Every Zambezi starts with a stripped-down chassis and gets rebuilt piece by piece with 3,000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. The result is a four-seat pickup that feels completely unique yet unmistakably Land Rover. It’s designed to haul surfboards, bikes, and camping gear just as easily as it can cruise through city streets in total comfort.
The Oshe Zambezi Defender isn’t just a truck. It’s an icon reimagined, a Defender turned into a bespoke piece of art that can hold its own on any terrain. By combining African artistry and heritage with British engineering, Oshe has created something that feels simultaneously authentic, adventurous, and undeniably badass.
That’s why its selection as the official course car for Silverstone Festival 2025 not only makes sense for F1, but is also why we are choosing to talk about it. In a sea of custom Defenders, this one does offer a little more than just a new interior and a huge engine. Just like the festival itself, the Zambezi celebrates heritage while pushing forward into the future. It’s a hand-built masterpiece that turns tradition into something new—and looks damn cool doing it.
V8 Power Meets Modern Engineering
Performance isn’t an afterthought, though. The Zambezi packs a 6.2-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, giving it roughly 46,994x more power than it did from the factory. If all that power weren’t enough, it also has Tractive electronic suspension keeping it planted in dirt and tarmac equally. AP Racing brakes ensure it stops with the confidence of a modern supercar. Heated Muirhead leather seats and an Audison-Morel sound system complete the package, reminding you this is every bit a luxury vehicle as much as it is an off-road brute.
What makes the Zambezi truly stand apart, though, is its style. Man, it’s got vibes coming out the nose. Something so many modern car makers have forgotten or ignored, maybe, is that the coolest cars aren’t about specs; it’s all about how those specs are wrapped up in a package that oozes individuality and hand-built coolatude.
Luxury and Lifestyle, African Soul
While most bespoke Defenders lean hard on British nostalgia, the Oshe Zambezi brings something different and arguably more interesting: African heritage. Every build incorporates African woods like Acacia and Zebrano, giving the cabin a warmth and texture you won’t find anywhere else. Even more special is the hand-painted Ndebele artwork on the control plate, crafted by Anna Selomo, Oshe’s resident artist at their Limpopo reserve. It’s a detail that makes each Zambezi one-of-a-kind and ties it directly to the culture that inspired it.
This infusion of African soul into a British classic is exactly why the Zambezi is such a perfect fit for Silverstone Festival 2025. The event itself marks the 75th anniversary of Formula 1 racing, a milestone that celebrates the global impact of motorsport while honoring its British roots. Having the Zambezi lead the festival as the official course car blends those traditions beautifully—showcasing craftsmanship, culture, and performance all in one tractor–I mean truck.
David Lane, founder of Oshe Automotive, summed it up best: he’s “absolutely thrilled” to see the Zambezi take on such a prestigious role. For Lane and his team, this is more than just a festival cameo—it’s a statement that the Zambezi embodies Oshe’s core values of adventure, luxury, and culture.
Land Rover Defender Customization Without Limits
No two Oshe Zambezi Defenders are alike. That’s the point. Buyers can choose what they want, with options including:
- Pickup or wagon body styles
- Soft-top or hard-top roofs
- Nearly endless configurations of paint, leather, and trim
Want yours bold and rugged with matte paint and all-terrain wheels? Done. Prefer a more refined city cruiser with rich leathers and subtle metallic paint? Sure, whatever you want.
This level of customization ensures that each Zambezi reflects its owner’s identity as much as its maker’s vision. It’s what elevates the Zambezi beyond a restomod—it’s a true bespoke build. And because Oshe only produces them in extremely limited numbers, exclusivity is guaranteed. When you see one on the road.
Silverstone Festival 2025: The Perfect Stage
Of course, none of this would matter if the Zambezi didn’t have the stage to shine. Luckily, Silverstone Festival 2025 provides the perfect spotlight. This year’s event promises 30 hours of track action, including historic F1 cars representing every world champion in the sport’s history. Add three nights of live music, family entertainment, and the buzzing atmosphere of motorsport’s most iconic venue, and you’ve got a weekend that’s equal parts racing spectacle and cultural celebration.
Throughout the event, the Zambezi Defender will play an active role as the course car—leading out practice sessions, qualifying runs, and main competition events. That means millions of fans from around the globe will see this unique machine not just parked in a paddock but doing what it was built to do: lead, inspire, and command attention.