Two millionth Land Rover up for grabs

Land Rover is preparing to give its long-lived 4x4 a big send-off when Defender 2,000,000 goes up for auction in London this month.

The Defender will be part of a heritage exhibition celebrating 67 years of Series I, II and III Land Rover and Defender production at the Solihull plant in the UK that began with the first Land Rover in 1947. Two million Land Rovers have been built at Solihull.

Defender 2,000,000 was put together over 10 days by 33 Land Rover brand ambassadors and enthusiasts, including adventurer Bear Grylls. Representatives from the International Federation of Red Cross and Born Free also played a part in creating the vehicle.

Painted in “Indus Silver” and wearing a set of black Santorini wheels, set off by black wheel arches, roof, door hinges, grille and exterior mirrors, Defender 2,000,000  commemorates the original pre-production Land Rover, registered HUE 166, with the number plate S90 HUE and has been specially equipped to honour its heritage as the last of the traditional Land Rovers.

Engraved into one of the aluminium mudguards is a map of Red Wharf Bay, where the original sketch for the first Land Rover was drawn in the sand.

Inside, the Defender’s basic nature is partly hidden behind leather seats with a Red Wharf Bay graphic, an aluminium plaque signed by all the builders involved in putting the special vehicle together, and various “premium” touches including machined aluminium on the dash, steering wheel, handbrake, door trims, gearshift and transfer case knobs.

The exhibition will feature a ‘hall of fame’ depicting the Land Rover playing a supporting role to actors including Steve McQueen and James Bond star Daniel Craig, while British nobility including Her Majesty The Queen and Sir Winston Churchill also get a mention.
“Mr. Land Rover” Roger Crathorne, who has a vast knowledge acquired over 50 years at Land Rover, will also be on hand to share his experiences with the brand in some of the world’s most inhospitable regions.

All proceeds from the Defender 2,000,000 auction will be donated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Born Free Foundation.

Although a replacement is said to be at least two years away for the iconic 4x4, Defender production is expected to cease at the Solihull plant in January 2016.