Land Rover spans 67 years of Land Rover and Defender production with an exclusive two-day exhibition. The 4x4 journey through time starting on December 15 at the London auction house Bonhams heralds the auction of the two millionth Defender on December 16 at the same location, the proceeds of which Land Rover will donate entirely to charity. The exhibition on New Bond Street traces the four-wheel drive classic's path to becoming a global automotive icon - with historic and current vehicles and, of course, the anniversary model number 2,000,000.
For almost seven decades, the terms "Solihull" and "Land Rover" or "Defender" have been synonymous. The indestructible off-roader has been manufactured at the British 4x4 brand's main plant in Solihull since 1948. The exclusive exhibition at Bonhams auction house now celebrates the long success story of the Defender, whose production in the UK will soon be coming to an end.
The Land Rover's journey around the world
Part of the presentation at Bonhams is a "Hall of Fame". It honors the special position of Land Rover - both for Hollywood heroes such as Steve McQueen or the current "James Bond 007", Daniel Craig, as well as for British nobility including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II or Sir Winston Churchill.
With various exhibits, the London exhibition also traces the path of the Land Rover and the Defender around the world. The classic has already reached practically every corner of the globe - not least because numerous expeditions as well as aid and nature conservation organizations trust the Defender and its superior qualities. Land Rover has been supporting partners such as the Red Cross and the Born Free Foundation animal welfare organization for many years.
Invited to join in
Visitors to the exhibition at Bonhams Auction House are also invited to take part: Special experiences and extraordinary journeys with the Defender can be recorded and shared on a wall.
Roger Crathorne - known to fans, VIPs, adventurers and explorers as "Mr. Land Rover" - will be on hand during the presentation to provide extremely knowledgeable guidance. In more than 50 years of working for the British brand, Roger Crathorne has acquired an immense wealth of knowledge and experience - about models and the brand as a whole and about how Land Rover products survive even in the most inhospitable areas of the planet.
Roger Crathorne: "For almost 70 years, the Land Rover and Defender models have played an important role for countless people around the world. It is now a great honor for me to be part of a fitting tribute to this legend as we approach the end of production. With this exhibition, we have come very close to the character and global fascination of the Defender. We hope that this presentation will bring to life how rich the Defender heritage is and why this model has stood the test of time for so long."
Two-millionth model anniversary
With the exhibition at Bonhams Auction House, Land Rover is getting collectors and Defender fans in the mood for the auction of a milestone in the model's history: the unique model with the production number 2,000,000, created especially for the anniversary. This unique piece of Land Rover history will be auctioned in London on December 16. All proceeds from the auction will go to two long-standing Land Rover partners, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the animal welfare organization Born Free Foundation.
The unique Defender to mark the two millionth anniversary of the model was handcrafted over a ten-day period. A total of 33 brand ambassadors and Defender fans, including the adventurer Bear Grylls, who is also popular in Germany thanks to his TV programs, took up the tools. Representatives of the Red Cross and the Born Free Foundation were also involved in the assembly of the unique anniversary piece, including actress and "Born Free" founder Virginia McKenna.
Free admission for all
Admission to the exhibition at the Bonhams auction house on London's New Bond Street is free for all interested parties and potential bidders. The show is open on Tuesday, December 15 from 9 am to 5 pm and on Wednesday, December 16 from 9 am until the start of the auction at 6 pm.
Further information can be found on the Bonhams auction house website.