FORGET Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Ferarris, the coolest accessory for the man or woman with everything is apparently the Land Rover Defender – albeit with a few modifications.

In fact, the vehicles are proving so popular that Thirsk company Twisted, which creates bespoke, luxury versions of the utility cars, has a four-month waiting list – including two for a Malaysian prince.

It may be based on a North Yorkshire industrial estate and employ only a dozen staff, but the company’s specialised Defender models can cost up to £150,000 with full specification enhancements.

The firm tries to meet every demand, from 18-carat gold thread to stitch the nappa leather seating, to stripping out the engine for something with more punch.

Set up 2001 by managing director Charlie Fawcett to retune and enhance Defender engines after he was unable to find anyone to do what he wanted to his own, the company has gone from strength to strength in the past four years after taking the decision to completely remodel the cars.

Successfully bucking the recession, the company has increased business since 2008 by focusing solely on Defenders.

“We saw what was available and the standard was not there, so we just pushed on,”

he said. “Four years on, and we’ve had seven-fold growth, despite the recession.

In this climate, for a motor company to have an order book of £750,000 is unknown.

We made a crucial decision to just stick to Defenders and we have never looked back.”

The company has created three different ranges – the Alpine, the French and the Retro – all of which can be specified to the customer’s requirements with engine upgrades to more than 200bhp and 337lb/ft of torque.

They can also include automatic transmission, brake upgrades and modified suspension, soundproofing, and bespoke leather interiors.

“A large proportion of the ones we’re doing are extra vehicles.

In some cases, it’s the seventh or eighth car, in o t h - ers, it is the second or third.

About 20 per cent are everyday drives.

“People are buying the Defender rather than the Discovery because it’s cool.

“They are uncomfortable, slow and really noisy. Our customers will spend the same again on making it more comfortable, more powerful, faster and quieter with all the things you would expect in a luxury car.

“They all want the same level of luxury they are used to in every day life, but in a Defender.

You can drive a Defender anywhere – fishing, skiing, The Ritz, around town – you are not flashy but you are not scruffy either. I think that’s the appeal.

Every vehicle is a oneoff, they are all completely bespoke.

“One of the most unusual requests we have ever had was for 18-carat gold thread to be used on the upholstery. We can do that, but it’s very expensive.

“We were also once asked for stingray leather. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do that.”

He said customers came from all across the UK and the world, with Twisted Defenders soon to be seen in Jersey, the Far East and Ibiza, as well as nearer home in London.

Although he revealed two were being made for Malaysian royalty, would not be drawn on other clients.

“We build cars for a lot of discreet people, so I can’t really say who. We haven’t done any cars for footballers, though. I think as well as being able to take it anywhere, our customers love the idea they may well spend £100,000 on it, but no one would know they have.”

So the next time you see what you think is a simple Land Rover Defender, it might be worth taking a second look – what, or who, is in it might just surprise you.