• Land Rover Defender taxi cab spotted on streets of London ahead of special Defender 2,000,000 charity auction at Bonhams on 16 December
• Specially modified Defender is part of nostalgic celebration film shot in the capital to commemorate 67 years of this iconic vehicle as it enters final phase of production
• Film precedes prestigious charity auction where collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own the Defender 2,000,000, a unique piece of Land Rover history
• Defender 2,000,000 on public display for Series Land Rover and Defender heritage exhibition at Bonhams London on 15 and 16 December

Whitley, December 8, 2015 ‑ Londoners were delighted when they spotted a one‑of‑a‑kind Land Rover Defender 'taxi' driving through the streets of the capital. The Defender, one of the world's best loved 4x4s, was starring in a commemorative film to celebrate the global automotive icon and to promote the forthcoming charity auction of the Defender 2,000,000 being held at Bonhams New Bond Street headquarters on 16 December.

The film, released today, also stars a number of other more unusual, specially modified vehicles including a Series II Land Rover ice cream van, a specially tailored Paul Smith Defender and the first ever Series Land Rover show car, displayed at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, all taking in London's famous landmarks as they tell the story of the Defender's rich history.

The Defender 2,000,000 will be on display at a specially curated exhibition from 15‑16 December for prospective bidders to preview the vehicle at Bonhams ahead of its auction.

All proceeds from the auction of 'Defender 2,000,000' will be donated in their entirety to Land Rover's humanitarian and conservation partners ‑ the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation.

The 'Defender 2,000,000' vehicle features a plethora of distinctive finishing touches. A map of Red Wharf Bay ‑ where the design for the original Land Rover was first drawn in the sand ‑ is engraved into the aluminium fender, which contrasts with the exterior Indus Silver satin paint. A unique 'no 2,000,000' badge sits on the rear of the vehicle, which is mirrored on the interior console. The design is finished with Santorini Black wheels and wheel arches, roof, door hinges, grille and mirror caps.

Inside, the leather seats also feature the 'Red Wharf Bay' graphic and 'no 2,000,000' logos have been stitched on the headrests. A bespoke aluminium plaque, signed by everyone who helped to assemble the vehicle is fitted to the driver's seat plinth. On the front and rear, S90 HUE registration plates ‑ a reference to the first ever pre‑production Land Rover, registration 'HUE 166' ‑ complete this one‑of‑a‑kind Land Rover Defender.

Production of the original Land Rover Series I began at the famous Lode Lane facility in 1947 ahead of its launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30 April 1948. Since then two million examples of the Series I, II III and Defender have been produced at Solihull.

To view the film please visit https://youtu.be/_GtzTT9Pdl0

ENDS

For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:

Kim Palmer
Public Relations Manager, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 564 129
M: 07795 666 169
E: kpalmer@landrover.com

Tracey Tompsett
Senior Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 565 210
M: 07469 032 064
E: ttompset@landrover.com

Jessica Rumboll
Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 564 258
M: 07880 177 300
E: jrumboll@landrover.com

Editors Notes:

ABOUT LAND ROVER

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.

ABOUT DEFENDER 2,000,000

The 'Defender 2,000,000' vehicle features a plethora of distinctive finishing touches. A map of Red Wharf Bay ‑ where the design for the original Land Rover was first drawn in the sand ‑ is engraved into the aluminium fender, which contrasts with the exterior Indus Silver satin paint. A unique 'no 2,000,000' badge sits on the rear of the vehicle, which is mirrored on the interior console. The design is finished with Santorini Black wheels and wheel arches, roof, door hinges, grille and mirror caps.

Inside, the leather seats also feature the 'Red Wharf Bay' graphic and 'no 2,000,000' logos have been stitched on the headrests. A bespoke aluminium plaque, signed by everyone who helped to assemble the vehicle is fitted to the driver's seat plinth. On the front and rear, S90 HUE registration plates ‑ a reference to the first ever pre‑production Land Rover, registration 'HUE 166' ‑ complete this one‑of‑a‑kind Land Rover Defender.

Production of the original Land Rover Series I began at the famous Lode Lane facility in 1947 ahead of its launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30 April 1948. Since then two million examples of the Series I, II III and Defender have been produced at Solihull.

The S90 HUE number plate references the first ever pre‑production Land Rover, registration 'HUE 166,' nicknamed 'Huey'. This Defender 90 Station Wagon was designed by Land Rover's Design Director and Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern and his team and executed by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team.

The vehicle combines the heritage of the Series Land Rovers with the premium finishes found on today's Defender Autobiography. Inside the vehicle, leather and machined aluminium touches complete the interior, including the fascia, steering wheel, gear knob and transfer knob, hand brake and door casings, all offering a premium finish.

ABOUT BONHAMS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit www.bonhams.com

ABOUT THE AUCTION

The auction will be held on Wednesday 16 December 2015 at 6pm, 101 New Bond Street, London.

CATALOGUE: £20.00 + p&p

BIDS +44 (0) 20 7447 7448 or +44 (0) 20 7447 7401 fax

To bid via the internet please visit: www.bonhams.com

Live online bidding is available for this sale. Email bids@bonhams.com with "Live bidding" in the subject line 48 hours before the auction to register for this service.

ENQUIRIES ‑ Motor Cars: +44 (0) 20 7468 5801 or +44 (0) 20 7468 5802 fax / ukcars@bonhams.com

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

A two‑day Series Land Rover and Defender heritage exhibition will be on display at Bonhams New Bond Street headquarters from 15‑16 December ahead of the prestigious charity auction of the Defender 2,000,000. The exhibition will celebrate 67 years of UK production and chart the Defender's journey to becoming a global automotive icon.

Prospective bidders and the general public are invited to preview the Defender 2,000,000 throughout the specially curated exhibition, which celebrates almost seven decades of Land Rover production at the Solihull manufacturing facility in the UK.

With a 'hall of fame' depicting the Land Rover playing a supporting role to Hollywood heroes such as Steve McQueen and Daniel Craig in his role as James Bond 007, and British nobility including Her Majesty The Queen and Sir Winston Churchill, the exhibition will illustrate the journey of an icon that has travelled the world, playing a key role in expeditions and touching the lives of countless millions through Land Rover's longstanding humanitarian and conservation work with partners such as the British Red Cross and the Born Free Foundation.

Roger Crathorne will be on hand to talk to visitors during the exhibition. Roger is known simply as 'Mr Land Rover' to Royalty, VIP customers and global explorers worldwide. With more than 50 years' service with Land Rover, Roger's vast knowledge of the company, experience of driving the product in the world's most inhospitable regions and passion for the brand is invaluable.    

Interested visitors and bidders can drop into the exhibition at Bonhams on New Bond Street, London free of charge any time from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs on Tuesday 15 December and from 09:00hrs on Wednesday 16 December with the auction starting at 18:00hrs.

ABOUT BORN FREE FOUNDATION

The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. Born Free rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and gives them lifetime care.

Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife work together without conflict. The organisation's high‑profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision‑makers and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide.www.bornfree.org.uk  

ABOUT IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest volunteer‑based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 189 member National Societies ‑ including the British Red Cross. It acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.

Land Rover has committed to a five‑year, £15million, partnership with the IFRC which aims to benefit thousands of people around the world. The partnership supports humanitarian projects such as improving water and sanitation, health and social care programmes and disaster planning in countries such as Australia, the UK, Niger and South Sudan.  Where necessary, Land Rover also loans and donates vehicles to help national societies reach hard to access communities.www.ifrc.org