Land Rover Defender: one-off 2 million milestone model
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Land Rover Defender: two million milestone edition
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26th June, 2015
- Land Rover announces build of 2,000,000th Series Land Rover and Defender at Solihull manufacturing facility
- The bespoke vehicle will be sold at an exclusive charity auction at Bonhams auction house on 16th December 2015 as
production of current Defender enters its final phase
Celebrating 67 years of iconic Land Rover production, a unique vehicle has been built to commemorate the UK production
of the two-millionth Series Land Rover and Defender.
With a bespoke design and an all-star cast of special guests helping to complete the momentous build, ‘Defender
2,000,000’ has been made to be a tribute to almost seven decades of Land Rover production in the Solihull plant, UK.
In December 2015, collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own this unique piece of Land Rover’s
history when it is auctioned by renowned auction house, Bonhams. Reflecting Defender’s heritage, all proceeds will be
donated to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation.
Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive 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. I was honoured to join the production line team in Solihull to
help build this unique vehicle. It was a special experience which will no doubt become a fond memory.”
“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.”
During May 2015, a team of life-long Defender fans were invited to join the Solihull production line to help build
this one-of-a-kind vehicle, including adventurer Bear Grylls.
Commenting while on the production line, Grylls said: “The Land Rover Defender has been there for me more times
than I care to remember. They are so often the unsung heroes of our TV shows, working hard in the toughest conditions
to get crew in and out of exceptionally challenging terrains. Known and respected by me and many other adventurers for
their rugged reliability - it was an honour to be asked to take part in the build of this very special car.”
Representatives from the IFRC and Born Free also made the journey to Solihull to fit their part to the vehicle,
including actress and founder of the Born Free Foundation Virginia McKenna OBE.
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The vehicle will be publicly unveiled by Bonhams in England at Goodwood Festival of Speed, being held 25th-28th June.
After completing a schedule of public appearances throughout the rest of the year, ‘Defender 2,000,000’ will be auctioned
at a prestigious charity event, held at the Bonhams auction house in New Bond Street, London on Wednesday 16th December.
As part of the auction, Bonhams will host a specially curated Series Land Rover and Defender exhibition, to showcase
the vehicle’s rich history and detail its journey to becoming a global automotive icon.
Robert Brooks, Bonhams Chairman, said: “Bonhams and Land Rover are quintessentially British brands, and so we are
delighted to be auctioning the two-millionth Series Land Rover and Defender on 16th December at our global headquarters
in New Bond Street. It’s an honour to offer this landmark vehicle and I’ve no doubt there will be some spirited
bidding.”
The ‘Defender 2,000,000’ vehicle features a plethora of distinctive finishing touches. A map of Red Wharf Bay – where
the design for the original Land Rover was first drawn in the sand – is engraved into the aluminium mudguard, which
contrasts with the exterior Indus Silver satin paint. A unique ‘no 2,000,000’ badge sits on the rear of the vehicle,
which is mirrored on the interior console. The design is finished with Santorini Black wheels and wheel arches, roof,
door hinges, grille and mirror caps.
Inside, the leather seats also feature the ‘Red Wharf Bay’ graphic and ‘no 2,000,000’ logos have been stitched on the
head restraints. A bespoke aluminium plaque, signed by everyone who helped to assemble the vehicle is fitted to the
driver’s seat plinth. On the front and rear, S90 HUE registration plates – a reference to the first ever pre-production
Land Rover, registration ‘HUE 166’ – complete this one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender.
Production of the original Land Rover Series I began at the famous Lode Lane facility in 1947 ahead of its launch at
the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30th April 1948. Since then two million examples of the Series I, II III and Defender have
been made at Solihull.
Guests who contributed to the build:
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Name |
Role |
Part fitted |
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Adam Henson |
TV Presenter and Land Rover UK Ambassador |
Transfer box and gearbox build |
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Alan Volkaerts |
Operations Director, Jaguar Land Rover Solihull |
Steering wheel fit and drive off production line |
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Bear Grylls |
Adventurer |
Fit all wheels |
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Hubert Auriol |
Founder of the Dakar Rally |
Build-up of door cell in Body-In-White |
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Joelle Tanguy |
Under Secretary General, IFRC |
Wing and headlight fitment |
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Mike Adamson |
Chief Executive, British Red Cross |
Wing and headlight fitment |
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Monty Halls |
Marine Biologist & Conservationist |
Fit all wheels |
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Nick Rogers |
Director Group Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover |
Instrument binnacle fitment |
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Dr Ralf Speth |
CEO of Jaguar Land Rover |
VIN plate, dash topper pad and binnacle cover fitment |
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Robert Brooks |
Chairman of Bonhams auction house |
Rear door sub fit |
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Roger Crathorne |
“Mr Land Rover” |
Door build up |
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Stephen & Nick Wilks |
Sons of Maurice and Spencer Wilks, founders of Land Rover |
Roof build up |
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Commander Stephen Higham |
Captain of HMS Defender |
Monsoon water tests |
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Theo Paphitis |
Entrepreneur |
Fitting of second row seating and rear lights |
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Tim Slessor |
Crew Member of the First Overland Expedition 1955 |
Windscreen build up |
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Paul Vice
Luke Darlington
Dave Henson
JJ Chalmers |
Invictus Games competitors |
Chassis to axle assembly |
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Virginia McKenna OBE |
Actress and Founder of the Born Free Foundation |
Number plate fitment |
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Will Travers OBE |
President of the Born Free Foundation |
Wheel alignment and rolling road test |
E&OE.
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