Today marks the end of an era as the production of the Land Rover Defender comes to a halt.


IN THE DRIVING SEAT Eric Hadwin in the 1951 Land Rover Series I The 4X4, which is made by Jaguar Land Rover, has been the choice vehicle of Her Majesty the Queen, James Bond in Skyfall and even female tomb raider Lara Croft over the years. It's boxy, robust design has become a quintessential icon of British automotive triumph.

The versatile car has been used by British soldiers in war zones such as Iraq, it is used for serious off-roading all over the world and yet still looks at home on the streets of London.

Eric Hadwin, the proprietor of our local Land Rover dealership in Torver, near Coniston, said: "It really is a sad day and the Defender will be missed by many. Land Rover have committed to building a successor to the outgoing Defender for a new range and they have promised that the new vehicle will do everything the current vehicle does and more.

"Unfortunately it is not going to be available until 2018 and at this stage we do not know what it will look like.

"We are looking forward to the day the new models come in. It should be an exciting time for us and hopefully for all our current Defender customers."

The first Defenders came on to the market just after the Second World War in 1948 and were made from Aluminium, as that was the only metal that was available at the time. Back then, they were produced by the Rover Company and cost well under £500. The Queen received her first Land Rover Defender in 1952 and has been driving them ever since.

Since that first model there have been many updates on the iconic vehicle. For Mr Hadwin, the Defender holds a special place in his heart. He said:

"Land Rover continued updating the vehicle right up to the latest Puma model. There was the series 1—2—2a—2b—3—then the Defender right up to today all made in long and short wheel base plus some Forward control models.

"The picture of the blue Series One Defender you can see next to my son Jason has recently been totally rebuilt by him and he intends to drive it round the coast of Briton with his wife, when they get time!

"I was lucky recently and had the privilege of having a tour round the factory and seeing a reproduction of the original assembly line. It was a real eye opener especially when you see the current assembly line."

  • Are you a current or former owner of a Land Rover defender? Email a picture of yourself with it to james.hemsworth@nwemail.co.uk  and we'll include it in the gallery below.
Land Rover Defender
As the last Land Rover Defender rolls off the production line, we take a look back at this most versatile vehicle.
The Queen
Her Majesty is reportedly a big fan of the Land Rover Defender and can be seen here riding in one through the World Scout Jubilee Jamboree camp in Sutton Park, Warwickshire with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957.
The Prince of Wales
Prince Charles is also a noted fan. This picture was taken during a visit to celebrate the vehicle's 60th anniversary at the company's factory in Solihull in 2008.
More royals in a Land Rover
More proof of the royals' love for Land Rovers. The Queen and her sons Prince Andrew (left) and Prince Edward waiting for Princess Anne's arrival in the Cross-Country event of the Windsor Horse Trials in 1972.
Last one
Don't worry, last one. The Queen and Prince Philip riding in a Landrover at a children's rally in Royal park, Melbourne in 1977.
Snow travel
As a four wheel drive the Land rover Defender can be used in a variety of extreme weather conditions. This is an AA Land Rover helping another motorist in a blizzard in 1963.
Police in Northern Ireland
A police Land Rover Defender under attack in Northern Ireland. The Landrover is widely used by police in Northern Ireland for crowd control, as an alternative to the "riot vans" more commonly used in the rest of the UK.
Desert travel
The versatile vehicle can travel on most terrain and is seen here in use by part of the Brigade Recce Force, who are an elite team within the Marine Commando Brigade, out in the northern Kuwaiti desert.
Beach
A police Land Rover driving on Brancaster beach.
Lifesavers
Margaret McCraken, 79, being helped from her home in Broad Street in Carlisle through the floods by members of the armed forces on December 6 2015.
Ace Ventura
It may have ended up a bit worse for wear but Jim Carrey's character drove around in a Safari landrover in the film Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. The actor now drives around in a Series III 88 in real life.