Land Rover defender

First seen at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, the Land Rover was definitive in its simplicity and, unsurprisingly, it was barely changed until the early 1970s, when the Series III gained rather slicker all synchromesh gearbox and slightly more civilized dashboard fittings.

However, by the early 1980s Land Rover, then a two model manufacture was feeling the heat from rival Japanese 4x4s, which were less uncompromisingly rugged and more suitable as all around multi purpose vehicles. Land Rover bosses also recognized that typical buyers kept their vehicles for 10-20 years. A decisively new model would encourage loyal fans to trade up or stay away from the opposition.

The Country Station Wagon was launched in 1982, and threw off its military grab for trendy graphics. Inside it got proper seats and some attempt at sound proofing, but it still rode on cart springs. In 1983 the Land Rover got coil sprung suspension. Even, so the Defender hadn’t strayed for from its roots, and remained a pretty uncompromising machine. By the time Land Rover launched a recreational off-roader in 1990, the car with no more became the Defender.

And defend its territory it did, remaining true to its origins. A V8 engined, sporty, short wheelbase. Defender was launched for the USA in the mid 1990s, becoming an instant fashion hit. A lack of airbags meant the Defender had to be withdrawn from the USA in 1998. Despite numerous attempts to replace the model, it seems that it is likely to remain in production until 2012.