Difference between a D90 Station Wagon / Hard top S

Guys, for 4 years I thought I had a Station Wagon 90, because mine's got side windows, although no seats. Now I learnt from the dealer, that my truck is registered as a Hard Top S in their database, which makes sense, as there have been no rear seats.

The question is: is the only difference between a SW and an HT the absence of rear seats (and maybe some interior upholstery) or am I not understanding something? I'm talking strictly about 90s here

Its all to do with Type Approval. Hard tops are N1 station wagons are M1, its about what they left the factory as. You're right it is basically the presence or not of seats, windows trim etc, but they must have been done at the factory. You can add seats, windows etc all you like it wont affect the Type Approval (unless you get it re examined possibly). That's the beauty (or danger) of Defenders, so easy to add or swap parts to make it a better vehicle or con an unsuspecting buyer.

Thank You very much Wireman! Did I get it right that if my truck was registered as a N1Hard Top S, then it must have had no rear side windows and those were added later? Or were any Hard Tops made with rear side windows from the factory?

csw are seated rear with alpine windows on the roof also sunroof and side sliding windows. SW side windows only with sun roof. Hard top literally mean that as a commercial vehicle with or with out sun roof. Inside bare no panels. Pre defenders had bench cushion seats as option.SW similar but panels and bench seats. Csw same but later defenders had seats law changed

Thanks, Saxavordian! Sorry to appear stupid, but what does this part mean:

"SW side windows only with sun roof. Hard top literally mean that as a commercial vehicle with or with out sun roof. Inside bare no panels."

Did hard tops have rear side windows or did someone added these to mine outside the factory?

Back in the day, in the UK there were different purchase tax rates (now VAT) for commercial vehicles and cars, in the UK hard tops were not sold with windows for tax saving reasons, abroad the rules were different so different vehicle specifications were built to suit overseas markets. Probably yours was originally a hard top with windows fitted afterwards.

SW station Wagon
Hard Top never had windows fitted and being certain age lest than ten years would have VAT imposed when selling. SIde windows can be fitted as a option either full instead of slider type. Or there a odd ones that used the rear windows as side windows as a modified add to help pulling out junction roads.

Alternative was a Soft Top which most military have a canvas cover on a frame. Farmer Giles type also have an option for a aluminium pig pen.

wireman said:

Its all to do with Type Approval. Hard tops are N1 station wagons are M1, its about what they left the factory as.

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My 1987 90 has nothing in the type approval on the V5C and when checking online it states 'Not Available' on the gov website.
How do I find out what it left the factory as?

Drive into the emission zone, you'll find out quickly if it isn't a CSW!

As a friend did that came to visit us when we lived in lundinium. He received an extra Christmas present!

My Old Landy said:

My 1987 90 has nothing in the type approval on the V5C and when checking online it states 'Not Available' on the gov website.
How do I find out what it left the factory as?

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simply contact the manufacture with your detail vin and reg and ask for a release history. Offer to clean their tea room for free.

bluehaze said:

Drive into the emission zone, you'll find out quickly if it isn't a CSW!

As a friend did that came to visit us when we lived in lundinium. He received an extra Christmas present!

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Oh I know it's not compliant, I just wondered what it is.....
I suspect N1 but it is not on the V5C lol