Monday 22nd June 2015

Land Rover Defender '2,000,000' announced

One-off Defender built for production milestone; you thought Land Rover would let it go quietly?

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Yes, we've had the Heritage models and the Rugby World Cup car already. Oh, and the Paul Smith creation. Plus the video tribute. But the Defender's time is nigh - in case you hadn't heard - and Land Rover is going to take every opportunity between now and December to mark its passing.

Spotted the numberplate reference yet?

This is the 'Defender 2,000,000', predictably enough the two-millionth Series Land Rover/Defender built at Solihull. It's a one-off car that will be auctioned by Bonhams on December 16, with funds going to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as the Born Free Foundation.

Marking it out from a regular Defender are maps of Red Wharf Bay - the beach where the Land Rover design was first drawn out - on the wing and the seats, '2,000,000' logos (just a few, not two million thankfully) and an aluminium plaque signed by everyone who helped assemble the car on the driver's seat plinth. On that plaque will be Bear Grylls, roped in by Land Rover for a bit of adventurer kudos. Just in case the Defender was lacking that... Keen Land Rover fans will have spotted the numberplate too; 'S90 HUE' is a direct reference to 'HUE 166', the registration of the first pre-production Land Rover.

So between now and December we can pitch some estimates on just what the Defender 2,000,000 might sell for. Beneath the limited-edition embellishments it's a 90 Station Wagon, which was a £25K car. This may sell for a little more than that... None of the Heritage cars were what you would call cheap, and there will never be another two-millionth Defender. All guesses welcomed!

Watch the video here.

 

 

[jamespink]

Exactly this sort of "special edition" and marketing would doubtless have sold many more LR products over the years. Seems a shame that only when its about to be superseded they do it, and then only one...

[jamespink]

rudecherub said:

Ending production in the UK - due to EU rules.

Just vote No to the EU, and then Landrover can continue to make Defenders in the UK.

Why on earth would you do that? Your chances of slicing or mashing yourself on the interior of a Defender (even in a modest knock) are pretty much 100%, let alone a Defender induced roll! Can you conceive a more hostile environment for the human body in a crash?