Monarch Defender vs ECD Automotive Design
Both are American shops that put a GM V8 in a classic Defender. One restores donor trucks at volume. One builds yours from the ground up, new.
About 60 builds a year
Brand-new aluminum body
Built near Chicago
The short answer
The short answer
Written by Akif Bulent Keskin, Founder & CEO of Monarch Defender. Updated August 20, 2026.
Side by side
| Monarch Defender | ECD Automotive Design | |
|---|---|---|
| Body & chassis | Brand-new aluminum body on a new, corrosion-protected chassis | Restored original donor chassis |
| How it's built | Ground-up single-owner commission, about 60 trucks a year | Volume production: configurator, inventory cars, 600+ builds to date |
| Specification | Fully open: every color, leather, veneer, and detail chosen by you | Configurator options within a defined lineup |
| Who you work with | Directly with the team building your truck | A design consultant within a larger production organization |
| Focus | Classic Defenders only | Defenders plus E-Types, Mustangs, Porsche 993s, FJs, and other marques |
| Standard V8 | GM LS3 6.2L, 430 hp | GM LS3 6.2L, ~430 hp |
| Price (approx.) | ~$250k–350k+, published band | Defender 90/110 from ~$260k; Heritage line from ~$160k |
| Warranty | 2-year bumper-to-bumper, plus GM's factory warranty on the crate engine | 24-month transferrable with roadside assistance |
| Financing | Not offered; a current Defender is accepted as trade-in credit | Financing available |
| EV option | No, V8 only | Yes |
Verified against ecdautodesign.com and public company filings, August 2026. Figures are approximate; confirm current terms with each builder.
The core difference: built new vs restored
Every ECD build starts with a donor Defender whose original chassis is restored and re-equipped. That is the standard restomod method, and ECD has industrialized it better than anyone, with more than 600 cars completed over roughly eleven years in Kissimmee, Florida.
A Monarch starts differently: a brand-new aluminum body on a new, corrosion-protected chassis, built up from nothing in Grayslake, Illinois. Nothing structural on the truck is thirty years old. At the same starting price, that is the single largest difference between the two builds, and it is the one you feel after five years of ownership, not five minutes of test drive.
Commission vs configurator
ECD's process is a configurator: you assemble your car from a defined set of options, or buy a finished inventory car outright. It is fast, well organized, and backed by financing. For a buyer who wants to click through choices and take delivery quickly, it genuinely works.
Monarch builds about 60 trucks a year, every one a single-owner commission with fully open specification. There is no options menu to stay inside: the color, the leather, the veneers, the stitching, and the hardware are chosen with you, and you work directly with the people building the truck rather than through a production pipeline. Monarch builds classic Defenders only, while ECD's lineup now spans Jaguar E-Types, Mustangs, Porsche 993s, and Toyota FJs alongside its Defenders.
Price, power, and warranty
Like for like, the two price similarly: ECD's Defender 90 and 110 start around $260,000 as of August 2026, inside Monarch's published $250,000 to $350,000 band, and both fit a 430 hp GM LS3 as the standard engine. ECD also sells a lower-priced Heritage restoration line with a diesel drivetrain from around $160,000, which Monarch does not compete with.
Monarch's engine ladder runs LS3 (430 hp), LT1 (460 hp), and supercharged LT4 (650 hp); ECD offers the LT4 and even higher-output supercharged options on its Signature builds. On coverage, Monarch backs every build with a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, with GM's factory warranty on the crate engine on top; ECD advertises a 24-month transferrable warranty with roadside assistance. Both companies accept trade-ins; only ECD offers financing.
Where ECD is the better fit
Choose ECD if you want financing, an electric Defender, or a finished car you can buy this month from inventory. Its scale is real and so is the convenience that comes with it. One factual note for buyers weighing a deposit at any builder: ECD was Nasdaq-listed until early 2026 and its shares now trade over the counter; company status is public information worth reading in full, whoever you commission.
Choose Monarch if the point is a truck that is actually new, specified without a menu, and built by a team you can call by name. That is the buyer Monarch exists for.
Traditional Restoration
Original everything: the loose steering, the weak brakes, the leaks, the smell of gasoline. Beautiful in a museum, exhausting on the road. You will drive it twice a summer.
Typical Restomod
New parts bolted into a thirty-year-old body. Better, but it still rattles, still rusts, and still doesn't drive like a modern truck. You will drive it on nice weekends.
Monarch Defender (us)
A ground-up build on a brand-new aluminum body: a GM V8 with up to 650 HP, modern suspension, brakes, and climate control. It looks like 1990 and drives like 2026. You will fight your family for the keys.
What People Say
Real Google reviews from owners and shop visitors
"They have the best custom Defenders I've seen. I personally visited them, and the owners were very welcoming. Mr. Akif personally showed me around and walked me through their custom vehicles. I definitely plan on buying one for myself."
"My husband bought a car from this company. I love this car, really. I attached some photos of my favorite builds which inspired my build."
"Love my Defender! Great communication from the team."
"We visited the facility and I was thoroughly impressed with the operation and the people involved in the builds. They have a continuous improvement mentality towards their work. They are always developing new ways to make the best vehicle on the market."
"These guys are such professionals!! From the superb artistry and attention to detail to the easy sit down to make the deal, I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant experience. If you want a show stopping custom vehicle that is sturdy and will last, look no further! Thanks again!!"
"I recently had the pleasure of working with Monarch Defenders, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! Their expertise in customizing Land Rover Defenders is truly impressive. GREAT PEOPLE! Super professional! The team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and attention to detail. If you're looking to transform your Land Rover Defender, look no further than Monarch Defenders. They are a dedicated team that genuinely cares about their clients and their vehicles! Thank you, Monarch Defenders!"
Built like they never were
Everything below is standard. The full equipment list is at the bottom of the page.
Performance
A 430 HP GM LS3 V8, six-speed automatic, FOX suspension, Wilwood brakes, and power steering. It drives like the modern truck it mechanically is. The 460 HP LT1 and 650 HP LT4 are available if you want more.
Comfort & Technology
Ice-cold AC and heat, an 11 inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, premium audio, backup camera, power doors and windows, USB-C throughout. Nothing about the cabin asks you to rough it.
Craftsmanship
Hand-stitched Italian Nappa leather, custom veneers, billet aluminum hardware, stainless trim. Every surface is chosen by you and finished by hand.
Capability
Atlas transfer case with true 4WD, Ford 9-inch axles, and BFG all-terrain tires. Winch, lift kit, and roll cage available. It is still a Defender.
Warranty & Aftercare
Two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The first year, everything is on us. The second year, you only cover shipping. The GM crate engine carries GM's own factory warranty on top. And white-glove delivery anywhere in the world, with direct support from the team that built your truck.
A shop that builds them right
Monarch is a team in Grayslake, Illinois that builds about 60 Defenders a year. Every truck is commissioned by its owner, built from the ground up over 6 to 12 months, and delivered anywhere in the world.
You work directly with the people building your truck, from the first rendering to the day it rolls off the trailer.
The Build Process
Transparent and collaborative, from first conversation to final delivery
Design
Pick your model, colors, and materials. We turn it into full specifications and renderings.
Donor & Body
We source the donor Defender and build up the brand-new aluminum body.
Paint & Trim
Paint, then the interior: leather, veneers, and hardware, all to your spec.
Powertrain
The GM V8, suspension, brakes, climate control, and electronics go in.
Test & Delivery
Road testing, final inspection, and white-glove delivery anywhere in the world.
Let's Talk
Build slots, pricing, and options. For the quickest response, call or text +1 (847) 961-2392.
For Immediate Response
Let's Talk
Build slots, pricing, and options. For the quickest response, call or text +1 (847) 961-2392.
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See the full equipment list
Standard on every build
- Brand-new Aluminum Body
- GM LS3 Engine - 6.2L V8, 430 HP
- GM 6-Speed Auto Transmission
- Ford 9-inch Axles
- FOX Suspension System
- Atlas Transfer Case (2WD/4WD)
- Wilwood Performance Brake Kit
- Electronic Emergency Brake
- Power Steering
- AC/Heat Climate Control
- 11" Touchscreen Screen
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Premium Stereo
- Back-Up Camera
- USB-C Outlets
- Italian Nappa Leather
- Power Doors
- Power Windows
- LED Lights
- Billet Aluminum Hardware
- Stainless Exterior Accessories
- BFG KO3 All-Terrain Tires
- White-glove service
Popular upgrades
- GM LT1 Engine - 6.2L V8, 460 HP Upgrade
- GM LT4 Engine - 6.2L V8, 650 HP Upgrade
- Roadster Chassis Upgrade
- Wood Floors
- Veneer Interior Trims
- Heated/Cooled Seats
- Warn Winch
- Roll Cage
- Roof Rack
- Wide Body Kit
- Panoramic Side Windows
- Power Sunroof
- Moonroof
- Skylight Headliner
- Power Side Steps
- 5" HD Lift Kit
- Carbon Fiber Interior Trims
- Carbon Fiber Exterior Package
- Door Pouches
- Seat Pouches
- Woven Leather Upgrade
- Matching Bag Set
- 2nd A/C
- Fog Lights
- Hidden Gun Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Monarch Defender and ECD?
Monarch Defender builds each truck ground-up on a brand-new aluminum body and new chassis as a single-owner commission, about 60 per year. ECD Automotive Design restores original donor chassis at volume, with a configurator, built-for-inventory cars, financing, and an EV option. Both start around $260,000 with a 430 hp GM LS3.
Is Monarch Defender or ECD more expensive?
They are similar for a like-for-like V8 Defender: Monarch publishes a $250,000 to $350,000 band, and ECD's Defender 90 and 110 start around $260,000 as of August 2026. ECD also offers a lower-priced diesel Heritage restoration line from about $160,000, and higher-spec builds at both shops run well past $300,000.
Looking for an alternative to ECD?
If you want a Defender that is built new rather than restored, Monarch Defender builds on a brand-new aluminum body and new chassis with GM LS3, LT1, or 650 hp LT4 power, a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a fully open single-owner specification, in the same price range as ECD's V8 Defenders.
ECD Automotive Design and all other company names are trademarks of their respective owners, referenced for identification and comparison only. Monarch Defender is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by ECD Automotive Design. Competitor figures are drawn from public sources and are approximate; confirm current specifications, pricing, and terms with each builder directly.