Osprey Custom Cars
Osprey Custom Cars (Osprey Custom 4x4 LLC) is a privately held, North Carolina–based bespoke manufacturer of Land Rover Defender restomods. It re-engineers classic Defenders with Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins diesel powertrains, in-house upholstery, and modern infotainment, selling direct to affluent individual consumers in the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCastle Hayne, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Osprey Custom Cars does
Osprey Custom Cars (legal entity Osprey Custom 4x4 LLC) is a privately held, custom Land Rover Defender restomod manufacturer founded in 2013 (formal LLC incorporation circa 2016) by Aaron Richardet and headquartered in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, with a new 6-acre Signature Motorplex facility under development in nearby Rocky Point. The company sources classic Defender chassis and re-engineers them with modern drivetrains and amenities, with the Corvette LS3 6.2L V8 paired to a 6L80E 6-speed automatic (430+ hp, 425+ lb-ft of torque) described as the company’s industry-standard flagship re-power, complemented by Cummins R2.8 turbo diesel (mated to an Aisin-Warner AX-15 manual) and 300Tdi diesel options. All production steps—drivetrain installation, metal fabrication, electrical, body work, paint, and upholstery (50+ years collective team experience)—are performed in-house, with hot-dipped galvanized chassis on new bespoke builds and modern infotainment integrations including wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Atoto S8, and Pioneer head units.
The product line spans three chassis-based series—OC90 (90-inch wheelbase), OC110 (110-inch wheelbase) and OC130 extended pickup—with body styles including Soft Top, Hard Top, Station Wagon, Double Cab, Pickup and High-Capacity Pickup, supporting 2–9 passenger configurations across roughly ten catalogued model configurations. Pricing ranges from $99,950 for pre-owned LS1-powered builds to $424,950 for premium Desert Power Wagon sister-brand vehicles, with new bespoke LS3 builds typically priced $169,950–$249,950+. The company sells direct-to-consumer via website inquiry, phone, email and facility visits near Wilmington, NC (ILM airport is 5 miles away), with vehicles delivered nationwide through the group’s own transportation arm and all transactions handled by the sister dealership Signature Autosports. Marketing is concentrated on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, an email newsletter, and SEMA trade-show presence rather than paid media.
Osprey operates as one brand within the Signature Autosports Group, alongside MegaRexx Trucks (heavy-duty truck restomods) and Desert Power Wagons (Cummins diesel vintage-modern restomods); cross-promotion and shared group infrastructure are evident, but no external institutional investment, dealership network, or public-market listing has been disclosed. Customer concentration is in individual high-net-worth buyers seeking bespoke adventure and collector vehicles in the US and Canada, with operations currently constrained to a single North Carolina facility ahead of the 2025 Signature Motorplex relocation.
Osprey Custom Cars firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Osprey Custom Cars
- Legal name
- Osprey Custom 4x4 LLC
- Website
- https://www.ospreycustomcars.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Osprey Custom Cars (Osprey Custom 4x4 LLC) is a privately held, North Carolina–based bespoke manufacturer of Land Rover Defender restomods. It re-engineers classic Defenders with Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins diesel powertrains, in-house upholstery, and modern infotainment, selling direct to affluent individual consumers in the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Osprey Custom Cars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Castle Hayne
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Osprey Custom Cars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Custom Bespoke Vehicle Sales: Sale of fully custom-built vehicles based on Land Rover Defender platforms. New bespoke builds, existing vehicle upgrades, and pre-owned restored vehicles. Vehicles sold at price points ranging from $99,950 to $249,950+ USD.
- Re-Power Services: Engine swap and powertrain upgrade services for existing Land Rover Defenders. Includes LS3 conversion and Cummins diesel installation.
- Restoration & Maintenance Services: Full restoration services, routine maintenance, body work, fabrication, and paint services for classic Land Rovers.
- Upholstery Services: Auto and marine upholstery services including seat coverings, dash leather, door cards, Alcantara headlining, and custom interiors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level pre-owned LS1-Powered Defender 110 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | OC90 Soft Top - Standard Configuration |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | OC110 Station Wagon - Mid-Range |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Fully Loaded OC110 - Premium Build |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Desert Power Wagons - Super Premium |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Osprey Custom Cars product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Osprey Custom Cars (also operating as Osprey Custom 4x4) is a bespoke vehicle manufacturer specializing in custom Land Rover Defender restorations and restomods. The company installs modern Chevrolet Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins R2.8 turbo diesel powertrains into classic Defender chassis across three product lines (OC90, OC110, OC130) with multiple body configurations including Soft Top, Station Wagon, Pickup, and Double Cab variants. All builds are completed fully in-house from drivetrain and metal fabrication to electrical, body work, paint, and upholstery, with vehicles priced between $99,950 and $424,950 USD.
Product overview
Osprey Custom 4x4 is a bespoke vehicle manufacturer specializing in custom Land Rover Defender-based 4x4 vehicles. The company offers three core product lines: the OC90 Series (90-inch wheelbase, compact configurations), OC110 Series (110-inch wheelbase, station wagons and pickups), and OC130 High-Capacity Pickup (extended 130 chassis for maximum cargo capacity). Each vehicle is available in multiple configurations including Soft Top, Hard Top, Station Wagon, and Pickup variants with 4-9 seating configurations. The company also provides engine conversion services (Corvette LS3 V8 and Cummins R2.8 diesel), custom upholstery, restoration services, and routine maintenance. All builds feature in-house craftsmanship from drivetrain to metal fabrication, electrical to body work, paint to upholstery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OC90 Series Custom 4x4 Custom 4x4 vehicles built on 90-inch wheelbase Land Rover Defender platforms featuring Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins R2.8 turbo diesel engine swaps, handcrafted interiors, and configurations including Soft Top, Hard Top, Station Wagon, and Pickup variants. Targeted at enthusiasts seeking compact, iconic Defender builds for daily driving and adventure.
- OC110 Series Custom 4x4 Larger custom 4x4 vehicles built on 110-inch wheelbase Land Rover Defender platforms featuring Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins R2.8 diesel powertrains, with Station Wagon, Double Cab Pickup, 2-Door Pickup, and High-Capacity Pickup configurations. Targeted at buyers seeking larger, family-oriented luxury adventure vehicles.
- OC130 High-Capacity Pickup Flagship high-capacity custom pickup trucks built on extended Land Rover Defender 130 chassis, featuring Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins turbo diesel powerplants and premium craftsmanship. Targeted at buyers seeking maximum cargo capacity, 9-passenger seating, and luxury adventure driving in a classic Defender form factor.
- Corvette LS3 Engine Conversion Chevrolet Corvette 6.2L LS3 V8 engine swap conversion paired with 6L80E 6-speed automatic transmission, providing 430+ horsepower and 425+ lb-ft of torque for vintage Land Rover Defenders. Sold as a standalone re-power service for owners of existing Defenders.
- Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel Conversion Cummins R2.8 Turbo Diesel crate engine conversion mated to Aisin-Warner AX-15 5-speed manual transmission, offering low-end torque for classic Land Rover Defenders. Sold as a standalone re-power service for owners of existing Defenders.
- Auto and Marine Upholstery Services Custom interior upholstery services for both automotive and marine applications, including seat coverings, dash leather, door cards, Alcantara headlining, and plush carpets with precision stitching in multiple color and material options. Targeted at owners of Land Rover Defenders and other vehicles seeking premium interior craftsmanship.
- Vehicle Upgrades and Maintenance Routine maintenance and mechanical improvements for classic Land Rover Defenders, including powertrain upgrades, body shop services, and fabrication work. Targeted at existing Defender owners.
- Defender Restoration Complete restoration services for vintage Land Rover Defenders, including the Signature Series restoration with hot-dipped galvanized chassis, new body panels, and modern drivetrains. Targeted at owners of vintage Defenders seeking comprehensive frame-off restoration.
Quantifiable outcome
- 430+ horsepower and 425+ lb-ft of torque from LS3 V8 conversion
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Osprey Custom Cars
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Osprey Custom Cars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature5 records
Osprey Custom Cars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Signature AutosportscoreParent company and North Carolina auto dealership that handles all transactions for Osprey Custom 4x4. Also provides own transportation company for vehicle delivery to customers.
- MegaRexx TrucksminorSister company under Signature Autosports Group offering heavy-duty truck builds. Cross-promoted on Osprey's website and social media.
- Desert Power WagonsminorSister company under Signature Autosports Group offering vintage-modern Dodge Power Wagon restomods with Cummins diesel engines. Cross-promoted on Osprey's website.
- Invicta Automotive DesignminorBritish bespoke automotive designer based in Manchester, England since 2004. Collaborated with Osprey on a 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 300Tdi Soft Top project (SEMA 2023). Specializes in one-of-one bespoke automotive masterpieces.
- Signature Motorplexcore6-acre facility in Rocky Point, NC where Osprey's new headquarters is under development. Part of Signature Autosports Group property.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Osprey Custom Cars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- East Coast Defender: US-based custom Land Rover Defender restomod builder offering similar LS V8 engine conversions, bespoke interiors, and turnkey builds at comparable price points. The closest North American direct competitor to Osprey's OC90/OC110/OC130 product lines, serving the same luxury adventure customer.
- Twisted Automotive: UK-based Land Rover Defender restomod specialist with similar engine conversion (LS V8) offerings and bespoke customization. Competes in the same premium Defender restomod category with an established international dealer network and longer Defender heritage than Osprey.
- Arkonik:
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Osprey Custom Cars social profiles
Digital presenceOsprey Custom Cars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Osprey Custom Cars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Osprey Custom Cars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Osprey Custom Cars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Osprey Custom Cars
What does Osprey Custom Cars do?
Osprey Custom Cars (also operating as Osprey Custom 4x4) is a bespoke vehicle manufacturer specializing in custom Land Rover Defender restorations and restomods. The company installs modern Chevrolet Corvette LS3 V8 or Cummins R2.8 turbo diesel powertrains into classic Defender chassis across three product lines (OC90, OC110, OC130) with multiple body configurations including Soft Top, Station Wagon, Pickup, and Double Cab variants. All builds are completed fully in-house from drivetrain and metal fabrication to electrical, body work, paint, and upholstery, with vehicles priced between $99,950 and $424,950 USD.
Is Osprey Custom Cars a public or private company?
Osprey Custom Cars is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Osprey Custom Cars founded?
Osprey Custom Cars was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Osprey Custom Cars based?
Osprey Custom Cars is headquartered in Castle Hayne, United States, in the North America region.
How does Osprey Custom Cars make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Bespoke Vehicle Sales are the primary driver. The others are re-Power Services, restoration & Maintenance Services and upholstery Services.
Who are Osprey Custom Cars's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are East Coast Defender, Twisted Automotive and Arkonik.
Does Osprey Custom Cars have an API?
No public API is recorded for Osprey Custom Cars.