‘Defender 2 000 000’ a big milestone to celebrate Land Rover’s history

WHILE Land Rover calls for South African fans to share the memorable moments they’ve had in their Defenders with the Celebrate Defender campaign, the team at Solihull, the home of Land Rover, is celebrating 67 years of Defender production in a slightly different way.
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 to help complete the momentous build, ‘Defender 2 000 000’ has been created to be a fitting tribute to almost seven decades of Land Rover production in the Solihull plant, UK.
Those who were part of the build now have a very special Defender moment they can celebrate for years to come.
In December, collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own this unique piece of Land Rover’s history when it is auctioned by auction house, Bonhams. 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.
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 fender, 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 headrests.
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 April 30, 1948.
Since then two million examples of the Series I, II, III and Defender have been produced at Solihull.