The Last Defender

Jono

Jono

Jono

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35285258

This makes me sad, but I don't know why.
I have never owned a defender. I've driven around in a 4.0L V8 (I think) one, that was used for rallying, and was awful, but hilarious fun.
I've been a passenger on the back benches in a 110. It was awful, uncomfortable.
I think I drove around a friend's field in one, but that could've been a non-defender suzuki or something. Pretty sure it was a defender, but was so long ago I can't remember.

They seem to be the best off road vehicles in the world (available to joe public) - so what if they're lacking safety features... they're not designed to be comfortable (are they?)

Is there anything as good/better, really? For going where nothing else generally can?

I had a ride in a Discovery when they first came out and it seemed pretty capable, but I was only about 15/16 and couldn't drive it.
 
I've drove many of them over the years, yes they were horrible espically the older models with no power steering. The windows moved, the wipers barely worked, you either had to open the window to fit your arm in the car or just use your left arm. But I miss not having one everyday to drive about in.

Makes me sad, nice bit of British heritage.
 
Well it's an iconic part of British heritage I suppose which is why there's a feeling of nostalgia even if dare I say it's been surpassed by other off roaders in last few decades in terms of comfort and reliability.

I remember seeing some concept art for the new models, have they actually settled on one yet as I don't see anything on the Land Rover website?
 
People need to remember the Land Rover Defender only came into being in late 1990, so is only 25 years old not 68 as the article claims.

Previously it was the Land Rover 110 first built in 1983, the short wheel base 90 following in 1984.

Previous to that were the Series Land Rovers, starting in 1948 with the Series 1, and finishing in 1985 with the last of the Series 3 coming off the production line.

To true Land Rover enthusiasts, 1985 saw the death of the real Land Rover, when the last of the Series 3 came off the production line.

The 110 & 90 and subsequently Defender were never true Land Rovers as the Series were.

The last Defender bears as much resemblance to the original series one as a modern BMW mini is a continuation of the original BMC Mini, it may outwardly have a similar silhouette, but they are vastly different machines.
 
Interesting, didn't realise there was that much difference between them! Series III does look quite familiar to the current "new" shape but the other indeed look like quite different beasts.
 
Entai said:
People need to remember the Land Rover Defender only came into being in late 1990, so is only 25 years old not 68 as the article claims.

Previously it was the Land Rover 110 first built in 1983, the short wheel base 90 following in 1984.

Previous to that were the Series Land Rovers, starting in 1948 with the Series 1, and finishing in 1985 with the last of the Series 3 coming off the production line.

To true Land Rover enthusiasts, 1985 saw the death of the real Land Rover, when the last of the Series 3 came off the production line.

The 110 & 90 and subsequently Defender were never true Land Rovers as the Series were.

The last Defender bears as much resemblance to the original series one as a modern BMW mini is a continuation of the original BMC Mini, it may outwardly have a similar silhouette, but they are vastly different machines.
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What's different apart from the engines and gearboxes?
 
Coil spring suspension instead of the leaf spring setup, longer wheelbase on both models (88in to 90, 109in to 110), new interior. Think they changed the body a bit as well, especially the windscreen which is in two pieces on the Series models.

My dad has a '68 Series IIA that we're currently fettling (electronic ignition distributor arrived today, and got a stock carb ordered to replace the aftermarket twin-choke Weber that's basically hosing fuel into the engine at the moment). Most fun car I've driven since I got to blat a Jaguar E-Type around a track!
 
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jamoor said:
What's different apart from the engines and gearboxes?
Click to expand...

The biggest and most important difference being the series models all had selectable 4WD.

The very first 110's also had selectable but never sold well so Land Rover stopped doing it in 1985, and since then all 110's, 90's and Defenders have had permanent 4WD.

The series models also all had front and rear power take offs, very useful for running all sorts of various attachments not least of which were extremely useful mechanical capstan winches fitted into the recess in front of the radiator grill, far more useful and adaptable than electric winches.
 
adam cool dude said:
J70 series Toyota Land cruiser. Been in production for over 30 years now. Go to Africa or the outback and you will see loads.
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So tough, even Ugandans (Kryptonite to anything mechanical) can't break them.

Good turning circle too unlike Landrovers. Not having to do a 7 point turn is rather useful if ambushed...
 
Begbie said:
I've drove many of them over the years, yes they were horrible espically the older models with no power steering. The windows moved, the wipers barely worked, you either had to open the window to fit your arm in the car or just use your left arm. But I miss not having one everyday to drive about in.

Makes me sad, nice bit of British heritage.
Click to expand...

I loved driving them in the Army. They were mostly diesel, but we had some petrol V8s in the Falklands that were a hoot :D
 
I remember one particular journey where a friends defender was leaking exhaust fumes into the cab, we were joking at the time if we were going to make it home or get gassed :o
 
Love them, grew up with various models, 90's and 110's, double cabs and the like.

They have, however, totally outstayed their welcome in my opinion. They've not really got a place in this world anymore. I don't think my back will ever recover from the trips we used to take in them up and down the country as a kid either :D
 
I built a few of these when I was at JLR and carrying out "adjustments" was rather interesting to say the least:eek:

Proper old school car building and so many different variations, it appeared that you never built the same spec twice!!

Fond memories:D
 
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