Is this Defender 90 NAS?

[Echo]

Hey everyone, I've been searching around the internet the last few hours to try and figure out the distinguishing elements that characterize a NAS Defender. I drove one today in Hawaii, and it kicked ass. But, I'm about to go back to Japan for at least another year [I'm in the military] and was looking at cars that I can bring back from the NHSTA's list, but also drive there for awhile first. This Defender is on the list, as far as year, transmission, engine, and body style. I emailed for a VIN to confirm it all, but don't know if I'll get a response. It says it was imported, and if it was from North America it should be cake getting it back if it has the sticker inside the door compared to most other imports. The best bit of info I've found so far is that the that the NAS ones supposedly say "Land Rover" above the front grill instead of "Defender," but haven't been able to confirm if that's true or not. Most of you seem like you know what you're talking about, and if I could get some help with this I would really appreciate it.

Here are two sources I used:
Park City 4x4 Classics
Land Rover FAQ - Vehicle Identification - General Overview

The Defender in question is here:
Used car searching | Car Portal site Goo-net

Thanks again.

[antichrist]

If you get the VIN you can check it here
Clifton Scientific Text Services, the Netherlands

[TerryS]

What it says on the radiator panel is the least reliable way of determining if it's an NAS truck
When they first came out, and known simply as the Ninety, or One Ten, they all said LAND ROVER, then later, but well before they were sold in the US they became known as a Defender. Anyone could buy a Defender Badge and stick it whee it used to say Land Rover.
All NAS trucks have a cast aluminum plaque on the right rear of the tub that says either Defender, or Defender 110, and include a vehicle SN (not VIN, but the nnumber given out of how ever many were planned for importation that year.) Candian Defenders have this plaque also, with a different number range, but they are still NAS Trucks.
The most reliable indicator is what the doorposr stickers say. In their absense, run the vin on carfax, and it will tell you precisely where it was first sold: US Land Rover dealership= NAS Spec= legal.

[Echo]

Thanks for the replies so far. I get what you're all saying, but I'm wondering just from looking at the pictures if anyone can tell. I'll be on Okinawa, an island quite a distance away and this is on mainland. There are 8 pictures of the vehicle and from those I'm trying to determine what it is. All the rest is in Japanese so I can't really call and ask. I WILL when I get there once I can find a friend who can speak it. If it IS, than I can makes plans to buy it as far as flying there, acquiring it, and ferrying it back to Oki. If I can't take it back I'll probably end up getting a Skyline somewhere down the road.

[Echo]

Defender 90s

About half-way down on the above page it cites the differences between Japanese Spec Defenders and NAS ones. I've been interested in Defenders for a few days now and know more than you guys. Thanks for all your knowledge, or lack thereof.

[msggunny]

Originally Posted by Echo

Defender 90s

About half-way down on the above page it cites the differences between Japanese Spec Defenders and NAS ones. I've been interested in Defenders for a few days now and know more than you guys. Thanks for all your knowledge, or lack thereof.

Well its not for the Japanese market as its LHD, and its not from England either.

It does look like a NAS but without the VIN or plate on the back with SN its impossible to tell from just looking at the pictures on that site. I would go with the VIN though as the plate on the back really doesnt mean shit.

There is a high probability that it is a NAS but i wouldnt bet money on it.