Whats the deal with the little lights seen on the side around both wheel wells? I see photos 0f Defender 90's with it and without. I really like the look of the lights and so I am hoping this is not some options pack I missed. Is it maybe an American thing and the ones without are all from elsewhere?

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That is exactly the reason. NAS vehicles, those sold in the U.S. are required by the NHSTA to have side marker lights. The pictures you have seen are most likely those from other markets that don’t require them. Although some of those pics may be of U.S. vehicles that have retrofitted their wheel arches with aftermarket accessories add-ons without the side markers.

 

Ahhh I see, and I am happy thats the case.. I really think it gives the Defender a cool look. I wonder why certain sports cars (Ferraris and Porsches) used to only have neat side markers on euro cars, and the American cars had none? Did things switch sometime in the 90's?

 

Found this from an article first published in Hot Rod magazine sometime in 2017:For 1968, federal regulators imposed the requirement for side-marker lights—amber colored ones for the front and red ones for the rear. All vehicle complied with the rule, but it was Chrysler that created the most liberal—and austere—interpretation of the fledgling side-marker mandate. For 1968, Chrysler adopted a circular marker light that was as small as possible. Stylists didn't want large marker lights that interrupted sleek lines and marvelous curves, so the small "porthole" markers were used across all models of the Dodge and Plymouth line-ups. (Chrysler models were the exception.)

When the 1968 models came out, other manufacturers chose to go with bigger lamps. For this reason, the 1968 Plymouth and Dodge models were some of the most graceful on the road, but they also drew unwanted attention from safety regulators and lawyers. Not wanting to provoke sanctions or lawsuits, Chrysler quietly changed over to larger rectangular marker light for 1969.

 

Agree I think they look awesome!