F E A T U R E
Land Rover Defender SVX
By the mid 1950s, the Land Rover name had been firmly established as a watchword for durability and off-road excellence.
Six Decades And Still Going Strong
S
ix decades ago a motoring icon was
utilitarian simplicity with rugged, dependable
its unique capabilities soared, and derivatives of
born and made its public debut. The
quality.
varying wheelbase and body style were added to
occasion was the Amsterdam Motor
By the mid 1950s, the Land Rover name had
further increase its flexibility and work capacity.
Show, and it was here that the original Land
been firmly established as a watchword for
Rover was first shown, on April 30, 1948.
durability and off-road excellence. Military and
worldwide.
agricultural users, as well as sectors such as
With the launch of the Discovery in 1988, this
Since then this rugged and robust vehicle has
The ultimate explorer, it could by now be found
left its tracks all over the globe and in the
recovery and emergency services, all found in
already legendary vehicle became known as the
hearts of thousands of true loyalists. The very
Land Rover the qualities they valued in a
Land Rover Defender. But apart from the
first Land Rover came forth as a simple and
vehicle. And by 1959 the 250 000 th Land Rover
Defender, Land Rover continues to go from
inventive working vehicle. Brothers Spencer and
was rolling off the production line.
strength to strength, with a five-model line.
Maurice Wilks, the Land Rover´s creators
With continued growth in the mainstream
Since the first Series I model rolled off the
worked from the new plant at Solihull to
four-wheel drive market in the 1960s, the
production line at the manufacturing plant in
developed an iconic vehicle that combined
original Land Rover kept evolving. Demand for
Solihull, the vehicles created by Land Rover
March 2009 Car & Leisure
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