DECADES OF DEFENDER – THE JOURNEY OF AN ICON

If ever there was a 4x4 worthy of the title ‘unstoppable’, it would be the Defender. From its 1948 launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show to the anticipated arrival of the 2020 model, the Defender has continued its relentless quest to help us journey to every corner of the earth. It’s a journey we’ve compiled into this comprehensive timeline, showcasing its evolution throughout the years.

Although conceived in the UK, the Defender has played a significant part in Australian automotive history.

The first Land Rovers hit Australian shores toward the end of 1948 and by the mid-1950s over 800 Land Rovers were being used on the ambitious Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.

Having had Land Rovers in service since 1959, the Australian Army commissioned the Land Rover Perentie in the ’80s and ’90s: a custom-built Defender based on the classic 110 model, engineered specifically to assist our troops on the ground.

There are many more milestones, as you’ll discover in our timeline. So take a moment to explore the key moments over the years of our most iconic 4x4.