Tom Sheppard visited Bonham's in the UK last week, to see the two millionth Defender auctioned for charity. From the company's press release:
"During May 2015, lifelong Defender fans joined the Solihull production line to help build this one-of-a-kind vehicle. Distinctive finishing touches include a map of Red Wharf Bay, where the design of the original Land Rover was drawn in the sand, etched into the exterior and a unique Defender 2,000,000 badge. Inside the vehicle, the leather and cloth seats feature the Red Wharf Bay graphic and the ‘no. 2,000,000’ logos have been stitched into the headrests.
Everyone who helped build the vehicle signed a bespoke aluminium plaque which is fitted to the driver’s seat plinth. In a reference to the first ever pre-production Land Rover, which had the registration HUE 166, the Defender 2,000,000 has front and back registration plates S90 HUE."
Note that this is not the last Defender to be built, despite the looming demise of the current iteration. Land Rover granted a reprieve after the furor caused when it announced production would end in 2015. Still, the end is near (probably early 2016) with no replacement in sight. Fans hope for a third-world-compatible workhorse and worthy heir; cynics predict a citified and civilized name-badged SUV.
The auction raised an inspiring $600,000 for the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Born Free Foundation. While it's unlikely Defender number 2,000,000 will ever see the mud of an African field hospital or game reserve, the funds raised will ensure that many other Land Rovers will continue to be used where they are needed.
