Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/713424
Unfortunately, we all know that nothing lasts forever. We've discovered that sad fact when we said farewell to one of the most iconic vehicles in the world – Land Rover Defender. For 68 years, the factory in Soilhull was the place where British engineers built and as- sembled the car that has been a symbol, the synonym of utility vehicle. Now, when the last units of limited editions of Heritage, Adventure, and Autobiography left the assembly lines, the car will have its well-deserved rest. On 29 January 2016, at 09:25 AM*, the last Land Rover Defender, with chassis number 2.016.933, left the assembly line. Saying farewell to the legend The history of Land Rover, similarly to another auto- motive British icon – Mini Morris, started with a sim- ple drawing created in 1947 by the technical director of the company Rover, Maurice Wilks, on wet sands of Red Wharf bay – in contrary to Mini Morris, which is said to have been drawn on a tissue at a pub by Sir Alec Issigonis. Wilks showed the drawing to his broth- er, Spencer, who was the managing director in Rover. That was the beginning of Land Rover: the character- istic, box-like shape that, till this day, is recognizable in every part of the world. For 68 years, it has been accompanying people, reaching places that are nor- mally unavailable, bringing support and hope, being their brother-in-arms. In many cases, it has also been the first sign of civilization in unknown territories. The legend says that almost half of all the ever produced Land Rovers is still faithfully serving people till this day. www.fragoutmag.com