An icon for over 68 years, production of Land Rover's Defender ceased in January 2016 with more than 2,000,000 models built since the original Series 1 arrived in 1948. Never has there been a car that has so captured the imagination of the world. Land Rovers have saved lives, won wars, delivered aid and hope, conveyed Kings and Queens and numerous Popes, ferried injured animals from the lowliest sheep to the proudest lion to safety. The Land Rover has conquered ravines, deserts and snow, broken records and along the way won the hearts of millions.

During the final years of the Defender’s production, a new 2.2 turbo diesel was now standard and XS specification cars had redesigned seating trimmed in leather and Alcantara, heated to the front. When this 'end of the line' Defender 90 was first registered on 1st March 2016 it was supplied in what is now regarded as the most popular combination for those who prefer tarmac to turf. Finished in Santorini Black in XS specification with tinted rear windows and standing four square on 16in factory “Boost” silver alloy wheels, this is the Land Rover for Chelsea or Cheltenham, neither vulgar nor dowdy, outwardly rather glossy but quietly capable when called upon to get dirty.

An example of this overt capability is the fitment, by the previous owner, of a beautifully engineered aluminium gun cabinet, described, in a no nonsense fashion, by the manufacturer as the TransLock TL4 Storage Drawer. Made from high-grade aluminium with heavy-duty, silent-glide drawer runners, twin key locking handles, removable storage tray, fully adjustable drawer dividers and for added security a seven-lever lock. The larger draw has cut foam inserts for stowage of dissembled shotguns and our vendor informs us that it appears to be unused. As the fitting of the gun cabinet required the removal of the two rear forward-facing seats, the Land Rover will be presented to auction with the rear seats fixed back in place and the TL4 Storage Drawer, with its fixings, secured on its side in the rear in acknowledgement that most buyers would prefer the standard four-seat configuration.

The previous keeper was registered in April 2016 and the Land Rover is offered to auction with just 3,426 miles, at the time of cataloguing. Consigned to auction by our vendor who bought the car in September 2022 to fulfil a lifetime ambition, which was not shared by his wife. The Defender may be loved by many but to the uninitiated the driving experience, by 2022 standards, is an acquired taste when used socially. As such, and with a sizeable lump of money tied up in a car bought for post-retirement jaunts, our vendor presents the car with a newly fitted top specification Thatcham alarm and tracker, the full book packs and an MOT valid until December 2022.