► It’s the two millionth Land Rover Defender
► Special one-off Defender 2,000,000 built
► Due to be auctioned by Bonhams
Car auction specialist Bonhams will sell this one-off ‘Land Rover Defender 2,000,000’ to celebrate the iconic 4×4’s production milestone as it enters its twilight years.
The two millionth Defender rolled off the Lode Lane, Solihull factory line this month and will be unveiled publicly at this weekend’s 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Click here for our latest Defender review.
What’s special about Defender 2,000,000?
This is classic special edition territory: it’s a mechanically bog-standard Defender 90 given some cosmetic flourishes, including a map of Red Wharf Bay (the Welsh beach where the original Series Land Rover design was drawn on the sand) engraved on the bodywork and reproduced on the upholstery.
It’s finished in Indus Silver with contrasting black wheels, door hinges, grille and mirrors. And that S90 HUE number plate reflects the HUE 166 registration of the original.
There’s not much gas left in the Landie’s tank; production ends in December 2015 after 67 years of continuous Series and Defender production.
What will happen to the two millionth Defender?
Bonhams will auction it on 16 December 2015 at its New Bond Street HQ in London, with proceeds going to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Born Free Foundation charities.
Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said: ‘Over 67 years, the Series Land Rover and in turn Defender has been the transport of choice for explorers, charity organisations, farmers and even royalty. Throughout history it has helped pioneers to reach the unreachable. What started life as an agricultural workhorse has transcended the automotive world to become a worldwide design icon.
‘The auction of this milestone vehicle is an opportunity to own a piece of Land Rover’s history, as Defender enters its final phase of manufacturing in Solihull. Giving people the chance to buy this truly distinctive Defender to raise funds for the IFRC and Born Free Foundation is a suitable way to celebrate the role that Defender has played in supporting our humanitarian aid and conservation partners over the decades.’
Click here to read about what happened when we took a 1949 Series I off-road.