Regular readers of this blog will recall that in our last post we brought you news that the classic Land Rover Defender was being retired due to EU safety regulations. A sad fate for the iconic 4×4.
But all is not lost! To commemorate the success of the vehicle, which has been around since 1948, Land Rover is doing something pretty special. At their plant in Solihull, they’ve created a fantastic visitor attraction which celebrates the heritage of probably the most famous 4×4 in existence.
Land Rover is calling this ‘The Defender Celebration Line’, which will chart the history of the vehicle, and its predecessor, the Series I Land Rover, which was built shortly after World War II. The attraction offers those taking the tour a chance to see the Land Rover in various states of manufacture, going right back to the draftsmen’s drawing board, and continuing to the glorious finished article.
Better yet, the entire production line is a truly authentic replica. The methods and tools are real, all of the parts are identical to those used in the days of yore. And it’s not just the line – even visitors must wear 1940’s overalls, dubbed ‘cow gowns’, while taking the tour.
John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Heritage Director, said: ‘Land Rover has a rich heritage based around the Series I and Defender models, and we wanted to create something extra special that would give visitors and enthusiasts a unique insight into how it all started back in 1948. It has been a huge task to recreate a production line from almost 70 years ago, from sourcing original parts for the Series I models, to authentically re-creating the working environment and uniform of employees who were here. The team involved has been meticulous in their research, planning and creation of what is a fitting tribute to the legendary heritage of Land Rover.’
It’s an incredible chance to discover the origins of the company, and Land Rover expects around 20,000 to take the three-hour tour before the year’s out – and the final Defender rolls off the line. As expert 4×4 breakers and suppliers of parts and spare, we reckon this is a genius move and a genuinely emotional send-off to the iconic Landy. For more info on what we do, and how we can help you, simply contact us on 01458 834 930 and our pro team will be delighted to assist with your enquiries.