First of the daft questions:

I've put a deposit down on a 1985 Defender (starting to panic after work colleague was horrified that I'd bought a 30 year old car, hence being awake at this time!).

Question 1: What is the purpose of the two keys and a button to start it? It's like a space ship 😨

2 keys? Sounds like a mod by a previous owner to me, some kind of immobiliser presumably. Certainly not standard fit

Someone's bodged attempt to make it harder to steal or there's a cut off immobiliser and a separate button for glow plugs. Maybe you'd be better off asking the person you're buying it off cos it should only have one key on the side of the steering column

Will do, thanks ��

I've got a 1985 110, and even though I do look lovingly at modern defenders with the neat interiors and smart engine systems. I'm proud to have a 'classic'. Stick with it!

Thanks for the reassurance- I'm getting really excited for the imminent arrival! ��

That's a 1985 90 in my avitar, love it to bits. But read everything on here about checking for rust in the chassis and bulkhead, and if you are very lucky somebody on here might be close enough to have a look at it with you. Lovely machines that you can really work on, but lots of traps for the unwary.

Good luck with it!

I am unwary, so will probably need lots of luck

How much are you paying for it?

4k. Body work is mint, 12 months mot (from the garage I've used for years), recent cam belt, service, wax oil treatment. Hoping I've not been ripped off- probably should've taken more knowledgable person with me :-/

I looked at quite a few when I bought mine. Some had been waxoiled with one or two which had been recently done to cover up the areas of rust and make them look good.
I found that getting under it and just tapping with your knuckle or implament you soon find where things need attention.
It then a matter of looking at costs.
It's definately not a vehicle you can buy and do nothing to.
Mines my every day car and I always have stuff to do.

Check all your serial numbers for peace of mind. You would like to think from a garage / dealer it would be legit.

It doesn't matter how pretty the landy looks it's what it's sat on and how well it runs.

I found the trailer fitters videos on youtube to be very helpful.

Marmaduke said:

Someone's bodged attempt to make it harder to steal or there's a cut off immobiliser and a separate button for glow plugs.

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How do you know it's bodged? That's quite an assumption considering you have no evidence at all.

rhillahorse said:

I've put a deposit down on a 1985 Defender

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I hate to say it, but no you haven't.

What you've done is put down a deposit on a 1985 Ninety. The "Defender" didn't exist until circa 1991.

rhillahorse said:

(starting to panic after work colleague was horrified that I'd bought a 30 year old car, hence being awake at this time!).

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I seriously never understand things like this. Buying a:

-Land Rover
-classic car
-classic Land Rover

Is hardly rare, unique or out of this world.

rhillahorse said:

Question 1: What is the purpose of the two keys and a button to start it? It's like a space ship 😨

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When buying a Land Rover, condition is the most important thing to consider.

As for keys, there will be separate keys for the door locks (maybe each lock if they have been changed). And an ignition key.

Anything else isn't factory standard, however that doesn't mean it's good or bad without knowing more detail. But it will be reversible if you don't want it.

Thanks all . I am expecting things to go and parts will need replacing. Looking forward to learning more from you