Land Rover Defender 2,000,000 to be auctioned off

It’s the end of the road for the iconic Land Rover Defender, and a unique vehicle has been built to commemorate 67 years of production in Solihull and the two-millionth Series Land Rover and Defender. The ‘Defender 2,000,000’ has a bespoke design and special guests helping to complete the build. But you can’t buy it from the showroom.

In December, the Defender 2,000,000 will be auctioned by renowned auction house Bonhams in London. 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. Bonhams will publicly unveil the car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week.

Last month, a team of life-long Defender fans were invited to join the Solihull production line to help build the Defender 2,000,000, including adventurer Bear Grylls of Man vs Wild fame. Reps 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 Virginia McKenna OBE.

The Defender 2,000,000 has plenty of distinctive 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, which is mirrored on the interior console. The design is finished with black wheels, 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 Defender.

If this car is a little out of reach, perhaps the three limited-edition Defenders unveiled in January – Autobiography Edition, Heritage Edition and Adventure Edition – are slightly more realistic. All celebrate a true icon and will be collectibles.