LSA Whips: Kenji Wong drives a “Boro” Land Rover Defender 90

LSA “Whips” takes a look at the people of Hong Kong and their connection with their cars. From classics to hypercars, amazing vehicles are seen all over the city but rarely do we get to learn how their owners come to possess them.

Picking up where our last guest left off, Jerry Wong and his 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E, our next vehicle and owner of interest is Kenji Wong of Growth Ring & Supply and his ’90s Land Rover Defender 90. Inspired by the USA-built Command Reconnaissance Jeep (Willys Jeep), the Land Rover Defender has reached cult status and is known for its off-road capabilities, ruggedness, and solid steel ladder chassis.

Kenji’s Defender 90, the 90 is the shorter wheelbase version at 93 inches in comparison to the 110 at 110 inches, and not only is it a testament to his love for all things mechanical and classic, but it is also a reference to his love for indigo denim and a celebration of Hong Kong culture as the Royal Hong Kong Police once used a similar vehicle from Land Rover.

The indigo inspiration extends from the washed Arles Blue paint job, and onto the special boro denim knot that is wrapped as a hood ornament in the front. This special fabric is often hundreds of years old and is sourced from Japan. The boro fabric moves from the front of the vehicle to the interior as each seat has been carefully upholstered using the antique textile and finished with sashiko stitching.

Taking us for a spin around SoHo, Kenji explains that while his Land Rover Defender 90 is temperamental at its age, often breaking down when pushed hard in the hot days of HK summer, he has since learned to drive it like a truck and breaking down is just part of its charm. Like all things Kenji collects, this one has some real character.