Lot details
Registration No: UTL567K
Chassis No: 93100009A
Mot Expiry: Sept 2012

That today's Defender is immediately recognisable as a direct descendent of the Land Rover launched at the 1948 Amsterdam Motorshow, is huge testimony to Maurice Wilks' original design. The 'Landie' was designed for light agricultural use and to create the cashflow required to kickstart Rover's post-WW2 passenger car production. The irony of its longevity is that production was only intended to run for two-three years. Instead, it rapidly became the workhorse of the world. The model steadily progressed from a single offering powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine to a complete family of long and short wheelbase derivatives with an ever increasing choice of engines. By the time of the Series IIA of 1969-1971, Land Rover production was at its all time peak - over 60,000 vehicles per annum. In addition to record sales, the model dominated many world markets, accounting for around 90 percent of the 4x4 sector in Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

Registered in October 1971, 'UTL567K' is a rare 12-seat DeLuxe Safari Station Wagon, equipped with the 2.25-litre petrol engine. According to the engineer vendor, the vehicle's chassis number confirms it as the ninth right-hand drive Series 3 Station Wagon built. It has apparently been lovingly maintained by him since its acquisition in 1975 and over the ensuing 36 years has only been used for occasional private transport and never been subjected to off-roading. The indicated mileage of 101,669 is evidently supported by MOT certificates dating back to 1975. Improvements include an unleaded engine conversion, electric cooling fan, period MAP freewheel hubs (the original ones are included in the sale), a tow bar with single electrical connection, radio and front seat belts. The Landie has recently been fitted with new Goodyear Wrangler tyres and a new battery. The vendor considers the engine to be "in good running order", the chassis to be "rust-free and unwelded", the paintwork to be "original and in generally good order, though dull in places". 'UTL 567' is being sold complete with a maintenance log from 1976 to 2006, purchase documents for replacement parts, the original handbook and tax and MOT to September 2012.