By the time the Series II Discovery was introduced in 1998, a number of improvements and enhancements had filtered through the brand. Various trim levels like S, SE, LT, HSE and SD had become available; if a 7 accompanied the trim level, SE7 for example, it simply meant it had seating for seven, courtesy of jump seats in the cargo area. Like everything, the Discovery moved upmarket, yet Land Rover wanted to continue offering more affordable options for customers, and the SD was just that. The entry-level Discovery, it was not normally fitted with a moonroof or even leather upholstery, but rather the basics including cloth seating and blackout trim. Interestingly, despite the stoic nature of the SD, it has quietly risen to become one of the more sought after Discoverys, thanks in part to its rarity and its buildability. Because it wasn’t laden with a lot of amenities at the factory or dealership, it is a kind of blank canvas for people to customize into the off-roader of their dreams; thus, many SDs have been cut, chopped, hacked and discarded, leaving even fewer than the already few that were initially offered. Finding one in nice, original shape is difficult, and this 2002 Discovery II SD is that bird in the hand. Powered by the sequentially fuel-injected 4.0L V-8 engine with electronic ignition and 4-speed automatic transmission, this SD offers drivers the full-time 4-wheel drive system with 2-speed transfer case. Finished in Chawton White, the SD exterior is a study in simplicity with black bumpers and grille, wheel arch flares, heated sideview mirrors and mud flaps. A full-size spare is affixed to the rear complete with a matching 5-spoke alloy wheel and Michelin off-road tire; halogen headlamps light the way up front. The interior is fitted with the optional Bahama Beige leather upholstery including a leather-wrapped steering wheel on a tilt steering column, dual climate control, power windows with backlit controls, and eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable passenger’s seat and a 100-watt AM/FM/ Cassette stereo system. Equipped with Hill Decent Control, the SD is ready and willing to go just about anywhere, thanks to the full-time 4-wheel drive system. Rare in that this SD appears largely untouched, it is a remarkable opportunity.
