"The Land Rover Series I was launched in 1948 and, incredibly, production only finished in January 2016 after a continuous run of 67 years through various evolutions before becoming the Defender, though the design stayed largely un-changed. Outwardly, there is little to distinguish the post-1983 vehicles from the Series III Land Rover. A full-length bonnet, revised grille, plus the fitting of wheel arch extensions to cover wider-track axles are the most noticeable changes. Internally, coil springs offered a more comfortable ride and a permanent four-wheel drive system derived from the Range Rover featuring a two-speed transfer gearbox with a lockable centre differential. A modernised interior and a new series of progressively more powerful and modern engine characterised things under the skin.
This Defender has lived a relatively sedate life, it was with its original keeper, a Mrs Doyle until 2012, before being bought by our vendors neighbour, Mr Litton, in 2012. Our vendors neighbour decided to treat himself to a brand new Defender when he retired, but decided he wanted a second vehicle to keep the mileage down on his shiny new purchase. Mr Litton fitted the option of a hand controlled brake pedal to the vehicle and when our vendor purchased the vehicle from him earlier this year, he decided to leave it fitted as it wasn’t in the way and it may help someone else at a later date. The vendor reports that the speedometer stopped working and had to be replaced some years ago, so the true mileage is understood to be in the region of 120,000. This rugged go-anywhere Defender is being offered without reserve, so why not have a go at buying one of the most accomplished off-roaders?"