Name: Zaid Siwady
Nationality: Jordanian
Occupation: Owner of @Project Over Landy Instagram Visual Blog, Overland Enthusiast, Aerial Videographer
Vehicle: Land Rover Defender 110 2012 Station Wagon
Tell us the background story of the car?
I have been an overlanding/off-roading enthusiast my entire life. Raised in a family that owned off-roading SUVs, my outdoor and overland craze began at a very young age. My father, who shares my interest in outdoor exploration and choice of cars currently owns a Land Rover Series 1, Series 2, Defender 110 1997 and a Defender 90 2016.
What modifications have been made, performance and cosmetic wise?
Not as much as I’d like to do… So far, I’ve replaced the tires with Cooper ST Maxx 265s and added Wheel Spacers. I added the Front Steel Nudge Bar as well as the Rear Bumperettes. For night exploration, I’ve added an LED Bar, and for water crossings, I’ve installed a snorkel.
I’ve also added a Roof Rack and Ladder, which I use for carrying wood, sleeping in the open air, and most importantly for setting my camera for the aerial footage of my experiences.
Do you have something that you consider to be a ‘special feature’ of the car?
The Anti-Stall system which prevents the engine from stalling while going uphill or downhill without having to step on the clutch. Basically, you put the car in first gear, remove your foot from the clutch and let the car do its magic. It also works very well when the car is stuck in sand or mud.
What were your other options before you bought this car?
Before I owned my Defender, I had an FJ Cruiser, a Nissan Xterra, Toyota Prado and my first Off-Roader was a Kia Retona (an SUV manufactured specially for the Korean Army back in 2000).
How often do you use your car, and what activities do you take part in?
I use my car almost every weekend, mainly on exploration trips in the mountains, wadis and deserts around the UAE and Oman. We go camping, dune bashing, rock crawling and we go to the beaches in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah where there is access for cars to go park next to the beach.
Are you planning any future modifications?
I’d like to add a winch for safety reasons. I also plan to get the engine remapped so I can increase the vehicle’s horsepower, as well as installing a bigger intercooler. And of course, I’ll slowly be adding some other cosmetics and accessories along the way.
What 4×4 do you dream of owning?
It’d have to be the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6. That thing is a beast. ■
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