Building the benchmark
From bespoke handmade interiors to full vehicle transformations, LUCARI is redefining the iconic Land Rover Defender. Founder Steve Leadbeter tells Eileen Leahy how expert craftsmanship, creativity and pure passion have driven his business from a teenage start-up to an internationally recognised brand…
LUCARI SOLUTIONS was founded by entrepreneur Steve Leadbeter in 2011 when he was just 18 years old.
As businesses go it is a pretty unique one as it specialises in creating beautifully bespoke accessories and interiors for Land Rover Defenders, turning these classic vintage vehicles into desirable high end ones fit for the finest 21st century driving experience.
As well as manufacturing the supplest of tan fluted leather seats, polished wood and silver steering wheels and Harris Tweed dashboards and armrests, the company’s skilled workforce can also rebuild a Defender too, changing its colour and adding new and robust panelling, grills and galvanised chassis if required.
LUCARI manufactures a wide range of its components in-house at its premises in Rye, East Sussex.
Steve tells me that when he was setting up his business his principal aim was to ‘break the mould of the mainstream motor trade’ by designing vehicles that reflect a client’s lifestyle. And having everything thoroughly tailor-made to an individual’s particular specifications certainly ticks that box.
The company, which also boasts LUCARI DESIGN in its portfolio after it launched in 2017, can refurbish or rebuild vehicles and the changes are hugely impressive.
If you already own a Land Rover Defender, the business offers packages so that you can get the LUCARI ‘look’ on your own vehicle.
It also offers a vast selection of optional extras on the vehicles LUCARI currently has listed.
Alternatively, with its network, LUCARI can also help you source a base vehicle to apply its signature design package.
When we begin our chat Steve tells me that cars have always been a big part of his life. But it was the summer of work experience he did at his father’s Land Rover garage in Staplehurst where he spotted a gap in the market.
“I noticed that such an iconic British brand with enormous amounts of heritage and history was slightly lacking in how the interiors were presented. Mostly vinyl and cloth were used in place of leather, with minimal handcrafted detailing such as hand stitching.”
Steve started sourcing things on eBay and once he had turned 18 he launched LUCARI and things took off from there.
As he slowly grew his team of specialist trim experts and artisan fabricators, Steve concentrated on the UK market but a couple of years down the line he was soon exporting to the US, Australia and most of Europe. Success he says was down to the quality of the work and people spreading the word to friends, family and fellow enthusiasts.
“What we do has to be of the finest quality as our clients are just as passionate about their vehicles as we are.”
He also adds that when he employs someone they will aim to teach them numerous skills so they can turn their hand to from working in the warehouse to learning how to sew.
Steve also prides himself on being a local employer. “We have staff from all over the local area – from Hastings up to Tunbridge Wells and over to Cranbrook, to Rotherfield, Folkestone and Romney Marsh.”
Whilst the most recent Land Rover Defender was launched in 2019, Steve says that he and his team mainly work on vintage types.
“The majority of them date from between 1983 up to 2016. And we have worked on everything from classic soft top Defenders to station wagon styles and the more modern designs.”
A constant throughout all LUCARI’s work is that they will always aim to maintain the original timeless look of the vehicle – no matter how high tech the spec maybe.
And as their website and social media platforms confirm they also do a lot of research. Many of the business’s posts cite detailing such as a roof finished in Limestone Cream – a classic Land Rover colour used from 1959-1984 as well as wheels boasting a silver edge which is something that featured on the 1999 Heritage limited edition Defenders. Their attention to detail is second to none…
Steve says clients tend to range from enthusiasts to investors but there’s also a certain amount of nostalgia involved too.
“Some of our clients might remember learning to drive in one – or perhaps a family member had one on their farm. Whatever the scenario, there is a lot of emotional attachment associated to this particular vehicle.”
Steve goes onto point out that because the cars they work on are already pre-owned or sourced by themselves for clients there is no direct competition to Land Rover.
“I will admit though that our interiors are superior to theirs,” he smiles.
As well as totally kitting out the inside of a Defender with new seating, steering wheels and gadgets such as state-of-the-art speakers and coffee holders, LUCARI will also customise wheels and paintwork.
“ A lot of people at the moment are into Keswick Green – it’s a fairly traditional colourway for a Defender.”
And what does the future hold for LUCARI I ask him: “We want to be the go-to people in the world for this type of work. That is our vision.”
GET IN TOUCH:
Call: 01797 222256
Email: info@lucari-solutions.co.uk
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