Land Rover

As British as a plate of fish and chips or a British Bulldog, the rugged, utilitarian Land Rover Defender has become an iconic part of what it means to be British. It is said that for more than half of the world's population, the first car they ever saw was a Land Rover Defender. It reflects many of our national traits: stiff in the upper lip and slightly eccentric. The car has remained relatively unchanged for nearly seven decades and has spawned an industry that includes dozens of publications, auto shows, clubs, associations, and even model car collectors who dedicate their lives to the Land Rover.

To understand this national love affair, Ben traveled the British Isles in a Defender and spent time with other Land Rover enthusiasts. He visited Colonel Blashford-Snell, who crossed the jungles of the Darien Gap, and patrolled the streets of Belfast with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Ben met people who have transformed their beloved Defenders into all sorts of things, from hearses and cafés to works of art and fire trucks. He journeyed from Red Wharf in Anglesey, Wales, to the Western Isles of Scotland and Islay, the island used by Spencer Wilks in 1947 as a testing ground to put several of the early Series Land Rover prototypes through their paces.

After 67 years and 2 million vehicles, the production of the Land Rover Defender has ceased, and this book serves as a fitting tribute to this British institution, regarded worldwide as a beacon of durability and Britishness. Every Land Rover has its own unique story to tell. This is the story of the world's most popular car.