My uncle Arthur Goddard engineered the first Land Rover his story is told in the book called They Found Our Engineer ,he’s still alive and well at 97 living in Australia.
When I lived out in Colorado two decades ago, I would take my cat to a vet who used a Series 3 long wheelbase as a mobile veterinary ambulance. He said that it was great for traversing plowed fields to tend to livestock and climbing the mountains to tend to injured wildlife. According to him the truck never left him stuck and having to hoof it. It looked cool too. Also, I've learned that Land Rover is an ex-parrot.
The new Defender misses the mark of the essence of a Land Rover. Yes, yuppies in Newport Beach will lap it up like they did with the pretentious Porsche Panamera, but it completely lacks any soul.
I mean I heard from reviewers who have driven the new one and old one that in all honesty the new one is better in every way. The old one just looks cooler.
I have a defender made in 1997 ! I had installed a pair of diff lockers ! People say that they suffer a lot of issues ! However I didn't find anything broken apart from service which is done after three years like changing oil and making adjustments! And mine has clocked to 300k miles !
Mines been going strong in the 18 years of ownership with only letting me down once when the clutch exploded... it’s 29 years old with over 300,000 miles and I still use it as my work vehicle... it always amazes me how people, some Land Rover enthusiasts and some Toyota owners relentlessly keep putting the old Land Rover down! In my experience of owning and doing my apprenticeship on them in the early 90s their reliable vehicles and will last a lifetime providing you service them up and keep them clean and above all.... drive them like a Land Rover! No wonder we haven’t really got a car industry anymore with all the mocking they get! just visit any other car dealers and you’ll see their workshops are just as busy with problems, even Toyota and BMWs have their workshops full with broken vehicles...
@@PillSharks Lucky you! Many others had serious trouble with them, and repeatedly so. Part of LR's bad reputation is due to the fact that some problems were known for several decades without ever getting fixed - such as contact corrosion wherever aluminium parts are next to steel. I read about a "water booklet" circulating among enthusiasts - a compendium of how and where water may leak into the body, which paths it can seep along, where it may do damage and how to drain the water or plug those leaks. I like some eccentric tinkering but this is "don't ask what your car can do for you - ask what you can do for your car" on a scale that scares most regular drivers away...
the 2020 is another sign of wealth for looking rich but "different" when groceries shopping.... they replaced a workhorse with another SUV that'll be bought to do a car's job. it's no descendent of a defender, its a meaner evoque or a less classy discovery/range rover but can't do much more than those.
The original light green paint was not unused cockpit paint, they chose that colour to blend in in the countryside. The six cylinder petrol did not appear until 1967, and the headlamps moved to the wings in 1969, not 1971 when the series III was launched.
As an Ex Brit here in the US I now import classic Land Rover Defenders and Series vehicles to America. I was driving down RT17 here in NJ in a 1993 Defender 110 County and who should be in front? A new 2020 Defender on manufacturer plates. As he pealed off on RT4 he waved to me driving originator vehicle. I find that funny because I often take pictures of my cars on the private road in front of their head quarters and always get asked to move on by LR security. They don`t get their legacy. They even declined to sell me dash bulbs because it was ... imported! Keep on with your amazing videos.
I think we agree that the new Defender is just another SUV with interesting features and interesting off road capabilities, and carrying the iconic name. There's no logic in comparing the old and new. You either love the old landy, or you don't.
Fascinating history. Also intriguing to me is how taxes and regulations severely dictated the design specs, limiting the performance and utility. America didn't experience that until the 1970s.
Another excellent video. Thank you. I remember from my youth that Land Rovers were as frequently seen on the roads here (Australia) as the Toyota Bland Cruiser is today. Such fond memories of enjoying that full half inch of foam between one's bum and the metal box beneath. The sonorous gear whine as you pulled (slowly) away from rest. The special extra light provided by doors that bounced back to slightly open no matter how you closed them. Don't get me wrong. I love Land Rovers and have owned a Disco 2 (now approaching half a million kilometres on the clock) for years. Worth remembering, fellow Aussies, that the Snowy River hydroelectric scheme could never have happened were it not for the trusty Land Rover.
I had a ride as a kid aged about 7 or 8 in boiling hot sun sitting in the back of the very first model in southern NSW. Land Bruiser killed them when they came out.
10:40 - That's my car! I have owned the white '127' since 1993. Strictly speaking, it's a 1984 110 Double Cab as the 127 model designation was not used until 1987. It now has a 3.5 V8 with EFI, a four-speed auto box plus transfer and self-levelling suspension. It has had its fair share of problems but in the 15 years that it was my 'daily driver' it failed to start only once (coil lead) and it never failed to get me home.
a friend purchased 1986 90, it is right hand drive and imported to US from North Ireland. it was formerly mail post delivery truck. He restored it, souped up slightly with LS 5.3 engine + 5 speed tremec with adapters for LS series, beefier suspension and bigger tires. added a few stuff into interior. he paid 14k USD total (truck+customs+shipping). today that defender 90 worth approx 80k today in defender marketplace. and it is very awesome. Kermit green, black fender flares, black interior.
Nice, can't wait for this to premiere! It's a shame how Land Rover butchered the design of the new Defender. Jeep and Mercedes have proven that they can keep the original overall shape of the vehicle while at the same time follow modern design trends (even though I don't like most modern trends myself), so why couldn't LL do the same?
Big Car as a land rover defender owner of many years and growing up with my father driving them as a child the new one is most definitely not awesome... it’s just tick in the box for the accountants who now run Land Rover! I also use them for towing ships mooring ropes and wires and I can assure you our company won’t be buying the new Defender and I’ll give you the reasons....it’s massively over priced, it’s full of electronics, not built in the UK anymore, it’s only available in auto and above all it’s not designed for the utility market, it’s been aimed at the rich who want to strap their surfboards to the roof and head off to the coast for the weekend! You won’t see farmers or utility companies buying this vehicle or any Armies in the world I can assure you of that.... if Land Rover had to stop the production then they should have just left it where it ended.. I’ll keep my 29 year old defender going and then pass it on to my children’s and our work ones, well we’ll just keep them going as well, ones just turned 21 years old so plenty of life yet!
The only Land Rover I ever owned, for about 4 or 5 years, was a restored road-legal 1952 Series 1 80” in green with a detachable metal roof and detachable door windows. The roof and windows were unrestored. The 2 L petrol engine had a brass tag with Made in Solihull. Unlike later Defenders, it wasn't full-time 4WD, it had the 2WD-4WD lever. What I found amusing was the fuel tank was under the seat. The wipers were hopeless, powered by two windshield-mounted motors similar to old tractors. I sold it to a hunting event company, they wanted it to take guests out shotgun shooting. I got as much as I paid for it and it went to a suitable environment.
There's a few discrepancies in this when it comes to the FC models ... the 2b had the normal range if engines the 101 (the only FC shown) only had a 3.5 V8 and was designed in tandem with a driven trailer
Brilliant video thanks ! Always had a soft spot for the old Land Rovers. Like many blokes my age I have owned a few Corgi, Whizz Wheels & Dinky variants in my childhood lol! I really love the clunky postwar utilitarian look of the early ones especially.
Mr Big Car, I don't know how you do it - you never are shown driving the vehicles and yet your videos are totally absorbing - I always look forward to your next production !
Thanks you filled in a lot of my knowledge of this vehicle. I have owned several, and used them off road. I recently had a small medical problem in Nepal, I was several days into a trek, and amazingly a Toyota Land cruiser made it very close to me, and took me out. The Toyota was very battered and was missing lots of bits, but I was amazed at the way it negotiated some very hostile terrain, much better than my LR experience, but it could have been the driver was very good. I do not like the new Defender, the Farmers round here will probably stick with their old ones. Thanks again, keep up the good work, it is appreciated.
So, whats the difference between the new defender, the freelander and the discovery? Surely these are now three cars that all essentially do the same thing? I wouldnt want to chuck my sheep or a filthy mountain bike in the back of the new defender
and whats the simularity of those 3? You get a christmas card from your Landrover dealer and an invitation to the Christmas party at the dealer because you are such a good customer!
There will be a commercial variant of the Defender, and if that doesn't suit just wait for the Ineos 4x4 which sounds like an old Defender for refuseniks
@@obelic71 Let the record show that I only stated the first of those things... But yes, all versions of the new Defender will *have* to be reliable (which to be fair, they have acknowledged) as what made this acceptable in the past - i.e. being easy to work on - is no longer applicable. I wish them well but remain to be convinced
Great episode as usual! Thanks a lot!! I beg to differ with the very last sentence about the "new defender" continuing the tradition. Probably the tradition of doing the school run in an SUV that has the performance of a Porsche and sees mud only in comercials, which is what most of the later classic LR's production was about. The tradition of the go-anywhere workhorse carrying adventure-fuelled overlanders and enabling the daily miracles of simply getting there on remote tracks died with the classic LR in 2016... I get comfort in the idea that some folks will continue criss-crossing the world in the surviving Series. God these look awesome on a sandy background at the evening camp!
I think Suzuki have made the micro-sucessor in their new Jimny. The "defender" is, like the new mini, a cash-in on the old name. However, due to the ridiculous pricetag, I don't think the public will fall for it this time.
@@BigCar2 It arguably does look good indeed and it may be a good SUV (I'm no big fan, you'll have gotten that :-)) but let's just not call it a Defender... it's a new car for a new era and a new use. The Defender is gone for good! Why not call the new guy the Raptor or any other badass name? Even Saab understood that when they got rid of the 900 badge after the second generation failed to become as much of a cult object as the classic model...
One of my favourite things, visiting my grandparents house as a tomboy-ish girl around the age of 10 was sitting in the driver's seat of an abandoned fake Camel Trophy Series 3 Land Rover 90. I've been in love with these cars ever since.
My freinds elderly grandfather had some realy early landrovers from the 50s there was a chain that was pulled to engage the 4wd lol There was a 70s one that had a crane thing in the back and bout 12 more in vairous condition My favourate one was a green 1968 swb with a canvas back and a fold down screen and a 1976 lwb with range rover running gear (v8)i loved the rumble of the tyres on the tarmac . They all still run and are still used by my freinds faimily on the property except one of the 60s ones as the suspention mounts snapped and the chassis needs replaceing but it still starts 🤘.
Interesting that you mention Australian Civil engineering projects - let's finish that story. LRs were used (because we were a good little colony that did what Britain told us to) initially on the Snowy Hydro project in the 50s. Problem was, they were too unreliable - as a result Toyota landed their first export sales with the Landcruiser which was not only as capable as the LR but more reliable. As a result, the LC and toyota more generally took off in Oz and never looked back. Land Rovers are seen as something posh people drive to look tough. Thanks for your vids though!
Incorrect, the original Landcruisers were inferior with 3 speed transmission and fibreglass body panels, they did improve the breed where Landrover syphoned profits and development into Leyland.... Sad.
@@alexjohnward British Leyland in the 70's the secret WW2 weapon that came way to late. if they exported on mass that junk to Germany, they never could start WW2 !
@@woodchip543 all Japanese cars till the half of the 80's returned back to iron ore in 10 years. Thats why there was a replacement fiberglass shell for the landcruiser. The more electronics a car gets the more unreliable they have become. Welding a 70/80's Toyota is easier to fix then replacing a electronic board on a modern car. And older Toyota's in Europa are hated because of the absurd high spare / maintenance part prices. Not for their unreliability
Land Rover's engines were unreliable in the 1960s and 70s - Aussies used to put Holden motors in them as conversions as there was always a plentiful supply of Holden spare parts in country and city areas.
I don't know where to start with the omissions and errors in this one. Let's just focus on the glaring major one. The new Defender is nothing to do with the Land Rover story. Maurice Wilks would be ashamed of it, and it's not even made in Britain.
The Land Rover has changed from a utility vehicle to a high priced status symbol. It list something when that transition occurred. This is very much like Jeep. The LR was great into the eighties and something was lost. Just great vehicle.
Wonderful content. I love these videos. I'm often surprised by how many interesting sides these cars, i previously found boring, have! This is feels just like the good shows the Discovery channel had, when it still favored content over constructed drama. The intro music even sounds familiar. Thank you!
No mention of the Spanish Santana / Iveco Land Rover variants which grew into a similar Defender type version. I believe a variant of these is still made in Iran. Great video
They were imported in to the UK for a while. Second-hand ones are now being exported to Canada and USA as they are Left hand drive. Basically rust free thus little work needs to be one to make them a good resale. Bonus older ones can be imported to the USA and do not have to meet pollution standards.
I bought a used minter 96' Disco 1 with 70K miles - a California car with zero rust - put about $4K in maint. bringing everything up to as new condition - and while that put me all in at about $12K it is every bit as capable as a Defender for $50K less money (and I get cruise control)
The new Defender(Pretender) launch was delayed due to quality control issues at the Slovakia assembly plant, the dealer wouldn't even take my order, now gone for a different make, Solihull insider expects lots of warranty work on electrical systems just like the Range Rovers!
I met a guy with a forward control Land Rover and was given a ride in the back with the soft top on. The ride was uncomfortable, the thing smelled of oil but I loved that machine. I miss it
That lego model looks WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better and more rugged than the real car, maybe lego should have a some say in the materials used in the next LR. Lego Defender 2020.
Fascinating history! I’m in central Victoria, Australia & only yesterday I saw 3 short wheel base models. I’m guessing 1960’s models travelling in “convoy” on Christmas holidays!👍🏼 Also I still see a substantial amount of the army Landies around where I live as one of our main army bases isn’t too far away. One of my good mates has a collection of Range Rovers as garden decorations!🤣 Anyway, good story! From Down Under, cheers. Current temp 38C heading to 42C🤪🍻
Epic vid👍👍Australian SASR used 6 wheeler version in Afghanistan, it look awesome, simply vehicle to fix unfortunately not bomb proof, been replaced by another British Supacat.
I've had 2 LRs in the mid/late 90s. One was a 2.25 (two and a quarter) that thing was a money pit. Drank petrol, snapped axles, stripped the rear diff etc. And then I bought a 90 County like the one at 10:16 which was a 2.5 diesel turbo. That one was totally different. I had it for 3 years and it was great. But I noticed that the air filter would get oily from blow back from the engine. I sold it back to the dealer I got it from and 6 months later I saw it in my mates garage! I asked what was wrong with it and he said it needs a new engine. Oops! 🇬🇧
The Australian military Perentie is a very desirable as an off-roader down here. Although most were fitted with toyota and sometimes isuzu engines for added reliability. There have been some large military auctions in the last 10 years, making these gems available to the public.
Anyone who has fond memories and a heartache when the Land Rover's ceased production, take a heart. Apparently, they are building a new vehicle that almost looks like what the LR Defender should have become. Its the Ineos Grenadier and it lokks amazingly like a long-lost twin brother of the Defender. It is a 4x4 with solid axles and a 5-point link suspension with a ladder-frame chassis - built for serious offroading. It would also have a modern updated interiors with a 8" LCD screen, cruise control and Low/high gear ratios and some relevant creature comforts. Look it up on the net - and wait till its launched - slated by Mid-2022 or early 2023.
Very interesting video as always but I'm. Sure the 101 forward control used the 3.5 v8 it was also redesigned by Land rover specialist vehicles to be the taxis in judge dred. The was a v8 series 3 in 1979 called the stage 1 available on 109 inch pick up and station wagon wich looks like an mix of a series 3 and 110 the are very rare and usually garish colours
The original was the forward control available with the 2.25 petrol and diesel as well as the 2. 6 straight 6 but the one shown in the video is the later 101 forward control built for the army that was 24 volt v8 with permanent 4x4 they had different front ends looks more angular Shap like the light weight air portable
Good video Big car and I'm enjoying the series. However the 110 forward control models 2a and 2b were very odd looking things but the one you showed is the 101 and those had a V8 so wasn't gutless at all. It was used in gs trim as a gun tractor with a rag top, hard top as a radio vehicle and with a big body for an ambulance. I've driven a GS once and it was an amazing experience. 😊
The real strength of the Defender and it’s predecessors is it could be fixed and maintained by the average farmer / soldier / explorer in the field using basic tools and supplies. Any modern replacements aren’t like this, as vehicles these days are designed in such a way that they are difficult to repair outside a main dealership workshop (which generates more revenue for the manufacturer). Sadly the pursuit of profit has defeated the original idea behind these vehicles.
Loved the video. I've had different Land Rovers for 25 years and love my Puma best. The Land Rover spirit lives on in the Grenadier, not the new Tata toy.
We'll see how the Defender does in the US now that we finally have one again. They will be built in Slovakia. That may help the Defender in terms of build quality and reliability. It can't hurt, given the none too sterling reputation of the British built Defenders in these areas. It's going to have to sell in a crowded market against the new Ford Bronco,. Mercedes G class, and the restyled Land Cruiser. There's also the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler to help wrap up the low end of the market. Pricing is still up in the air as the first ones to come here will be the two door Model 90 First Edition, going for an eye popping $66,125. The four door 110 is supposed to be here later in 2020 and sell in the $50,000 range, a more competitive price. I'm looking forward to a test drive and see the list of standard equipment.
I think you may have typed your comment backwards. The 4 door is coming first while the 2 door comes later at a cheaper price. I think it looks decent and it does have some nice features. I actually configured one like my 06 Lr3 and it came within $1,000 of my lr3 price with inflation.
@@ZacharySolomon0429 You're right, the Model 110 four door will be first with the First Edition coming in summer. Kind of a strange way for Land Rover to do it. The Model 110 is supposed to be somewhere around $50,000 and the First Edition is going for $65,000. www.motor1.com/news/383321/2020-land-rover-pricing/ We'll see what the real price is once they hit the street.
Never heard so much dribble in my life. Obviously never owned the real defender. Which is a remarkable iconic car. The build quality and reliability of the defender is why its the most famous 4x4 in the world. This new defender wont even make it to the safrais of Afrcia. Its a embarassment and has ruined the iconic defender.
Back in JAMAICA. BWI, we had 3 long wheelbase LR s all RHD, spare tyre , on the bonnet, 1 was green, 2 were lt blue, in the rear was LARGE , was for the power takeoff ,,we used them to pump water for agriculture, all were PETROL, 4 spd transmission , these were ALL BEFORE DEFENDERS, OR RANGE ROVERS , were ever made, never any serious problems, I last saw them in 1959, when I left for the USA. CHEERS FROM NJ, USA. 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
The Finnish defencce Forces uses Defenders. A buddy of mine was driving and told us "I'm scared to take these corners at over 60(km/h) even though the limit is 80 because I feel like this would roll over" (in relatively mild corners)
Brilliant video and the TH-cam premier option was great - a notification about my favourite ever car (that sadly I've never owned and with the current bonkers resale values, probably never will) from my favourite TH-cam car channel - happy new year to you!
Oh i love defenders! Always loved how they looked! My neighboars son had quite a few land rovers over the years. One was an ex dutch military series 3 lightweight wich was developed to be airlifted by helicopters. It was super basic and stripped from basically anything that has something to do with luxury! I have a BMW E36 328i Touring manual as a daily driver, later i learned that my car has the same M52B28 engine that went into the Land Rover Defender. Hard to believe though because it barely has any torque on low rpms haha. It loves to rev high. Not really practical in a off road vehicle i think.
Power takeoff is not tested by plowing fields, but by powering external equipment. The use of Aluminum resulted in a lower center of gravity than similar vehicles which used steel body work. This resulted in being able to traverse steeper terrain without tipping over.
The good old Landy or Laro a car you love and hate in the same time. I have a 1971 BL made euh slamed togheter with faulty parts by drunk workers series 3 109 (single cab with a bed) I learned car mechanics, electrics and welding (Chassis) on that car. After 20 years of wrenching, improving, welding and making the car right she is now better then ever. I also have an old Toyota FJ40. Both a great offroaders. but the 109 has 1 big advantage a complete front and rear working power take of shaft system! On offroad events she is often used as a stationair engine to power several equipment for the offroad event. The "small" industrial Perkins 4 cil. diesel in the Landy is a match made in heaven ! In the Netherlands lots of Landies are still around most of them are ex military or ex goverment vehicles. The civilian from new ones were mostly bought to tow trailers with horses livestock and construction equipment. Due to the bad quality of the original parts they almost all have been modified with parts from other car manufacturers or homebuild way better then original parts. Mercedes diesel engines and German /Japanese electrical systems are often retrofitted.
Максим Сахаров Mahindra sucks ,they made a stupid useless thing by installing an underpowered tractor engine on a jeep cj3b chassis ! Mitsubishi however did it far better by making the Mitsubishi cj !
When you mentioned the Forward Control models you talk about the 1960s version that used standard body parts and engines on a modified chassis. Their wheelbases were 109" originally before increasing to 110". However the images you used to illustrate them is of the 1972-6 military version built as a gun tractor. They had 101 inch chassis and used the Range Rover 3.5 V8 engine - a very different vehicle
My uncle Arthur Goddard engineered the first Land Rover his story is told in the book called They Found Our Engineer ,he’s still alive and well at 97 living in Australia.
Thank you I was talking to him only the other day.
He says hi. He´s having dinner with us here. I´ll pass him now: Hi Ian, uncle Artie here, how´s everything! Love, your uncle.
Hatuey McFarland Artie who.
Please ask him to go back to work because the new Defender is an embarrassment.
Really Arthur Goddard is a Land Rover god and a household name.
When I lived out in Colorado two decades ago, I would take my cat to a vet who used a Series 3 long wheelbase as a mobile veterinary ambulance. He said that it was great for traversing plowed fields to tend to livestock and climbing the mountains to tend to injured wildlife. According to him the truck never left him stuck and having to hoof it. It looked cool too.
Also, I've learned that Land Rover is an ex-parrot.
Prefer the older land rover defender compared to the 2020 version
the new one looks more like a freelander.
The new is not a real Off Road vehicle, it has a chassis like a car, only higher. It is a kind of SUV that looks like an Off Road vehicle.
Lenny Valentino Schiaretti given the stats, it’s an off-roader. It my not be iconic or not like the old one, but it’s a great car
@@severinhagg3815 when it starts.
Agreed. If they had gone the Bronco route instead of the… whatever the f#ck the new Defender went for… the Rover would be worth a look.
The new Defender misses the mark of the essence of a Land Rover. Yes, yuppies in Newport Beach will lap it up like they did with the pretentious Porsche Panamera, but it completely lacks any soul.
If it aint broke....
I mean I heard from reviewers who have driven the new one and old one that in all honesty the new one is better in every way. The old one just looks cooler.
@@baronvonjo1929 Haha try to fix the new one if something is broken
@@casinodelonge it was broke - nobody was buying them
@@TheKitMurkit you can disable any car with two punctures
Those early Landcruisers and Patrols had straight six engines, not V sixes...
I have a defender made in 1997 ! I had installed a pair of diff lockers ! People say that they suffer a lot of issues ! However I didn't find anything broken apart from service which is done after three years like changing oil and making adjustments! And mine has clocked to 300k miles !
"In 1992, Land Rover estimated that 70% of all the Land Rovers they ever made, were still on the road" - the rest made it home!
🤣😂🤓👍👍
:D
Hahahaha!
Mines been going strong in the 18 years of ownership with only letting me down once when the clutch exploded... it’s 29 years old with over 300,000 miles and I still use it as my work vehicle... it always amazes me how people, some Land Rover enthusiasts and some Toyota owners relentlessly keep putting the old Land Rover down! In my experience of owning and doing my apprenticeship on them in the early 90s their reliable vehicles and will last a lifetime providing you service them up and keep them clean and above all.... drive them like a Land Rover!
No wonder we haven’t really got a car industry anymore with all the mocking they get! just visit any other car dealers and you’ll see their workshops are just as busy with problems, even Toyota and BMWs have their workshops full with broken vehicles...
@@PillSharks
Lucky you!
Many others had serious trouble with them, and repeatedly so. Part of LR's bad reputation is due to the fact that some problems were known for several decades without ever getting fixed - such as contact corrosion wherever aluminium parts are next to steel.
I read about a "water booklet" circulating among enthusiasts - a compendium of how and where water may leak into the body, which paths it can seep along, where it may do damage and how to drain the water or plug those leaks.
I like some eccentric tinkering but this is "don't ask what your car can do for you - ask what you can do for your car" on a scale that scares most regular drivers away...
the 2020 is another sign of wealth for looking rich but "different" when groceries shopping.... they replaced a workhorse with another SUV that'll be bought to do a car's job. it's no descendent of a defender, its a meaner evoque or a less classy discovery/range rover but can't do much more than those.
The original light green paint was not unused cockpit paint, they chose that colour to blend in in the countryside. The six cylinder petrol did not appear until 1967, and the headlamps moved to the wings in 1969, not 1971 when the series III was launched.
As an Ex Brit here in the US I now import classic Land Rover Defenders and Series vehicles to America. I was driving down RT17 here in NJ in a 1993 Defender 110 County and who should be in front? A new 2020 Defender on manufacturer plates. As he pealed off on RT4 he waved to me driving originator vehicle. I find that funny because I often take pictures of my cars on the private road in front of their head quarters and always get asked to move on by LR security. They don`t get their legacy. They even declined to sell me dash bulbs because it was ... imported! Keep on with your amazing videos.
Yeah - it's odd how companies shoot themselves in the foot by annoying their biggest fans.
I think we agree that the new Defender is just another SUV with interesting features and interesting off road capabilities, and carrying the iconic name. There's no logic in comparing the old and new. You either love the old landy, or you don't.
How could you not want an early one that’s beautiful.
Imagine being replaced by a luxury Suv
That would be sad but we atleast have the range Rover
Imagine no one buying them so they have to be replaced by s9mething people actually want?
Imagine being owned by an Indian company
@@allannelle Why does that matter?
@@allannelle someone’s missing the “good old days” of imperialism. Poor gal.
Fascinating history. Also intriguing to me is how taxes and regulations severely dictated the design specs, limiting the performance and utility. America didn't experience that until the 1970s.
On my Dream Car list. I had a 1964 Land Rover 109, IIA. But a Defender is the ultimate.
I own a Series 2a (swb), used as my daily driver & still in service,
being a utility workhorse. Great video, very interesting. Cheers!
The only vehicle my aunt has ever owned is a Series 2A, from new. It's her daily driver.
My Dad had several Land Rover during the late '60s to mid-'70s. I loved to ride on it every time I could.
Another excellent video. Thank you. I remember from my youth that Land Rovers were as frequently seen on the roads here (Australia) as the Toyota Bland Cruiser is today. Such fond memories of enjoying that full half inch of foam between one's bum and the metal box beneath. The sonorous gear whine as you pulled (slowly) away from rest. The special extra light provided by doors that bounced back to slightly open no matter how you closed them. Don't get me wrong. I love Land Rovers and have owned a Disco 2 (now approaching half a million kilometres on the clock) for years. Worth remembering, fellow Aussies, that the Snowy River hydroelectric scheme could never have happened were it not for the trusty Land Rover.
Those damn doors. As a kid, that severely triggered my OCD.
I had a ride as a kid aged about 7 or 8 in boiling hot sun sitting in the back of the very first model in southern NSW. Land Bruiser killed them when they came out.
Nice to see an Australian who still loves the old Land Rover...
Hi from Canada 🇨🇦, Big Car !!! Love your car history and background stories about cars... interesting and very educational !!!! Love it 👍👍👍👍👍
All the forward controls in the video are 101's which were fitted with the rover V8 and were not 'underpowered' like the earlier examples.
10:40 - That's my car! I have owned the white '127' since 1993. Strictly speaking, it's a 1984 110 Double Cab as the 127 model designation was not used until 1987. It now has a 3.5 V8 with EFI, a four-speed auto box plus transfer and self-levelling suspension. It has had its fair share of problems but in the 15 years that it was my 'daily driver' it failed to start only once (coil lead) and it never failed to get me home.
That was so interesting, thank you. Now you need to follow up with The Unimog Story.
a friend purchased 1986 90, it is right hand drive and imported to US from North Ireland. it was formerly mail post delivery truck. He restored it, souped up slightly with LS 5.3 engine + 5 speed tremec with adapters for LS series, beefier suspension and bigger tires. added a few stuff into interior. he paid 14k USD total (truck+customs+shipping). today that defender 90 worth approx 80k today in defender marketplace. and it is very awesome. Kermit green, black fender flares, black interior.
Good video but with some imprecisions.
The S2B FC was presented as the 101 FC. The same goal but completely different vehicles.
Nice, can't wait for this to premiere! It's a shame how Land Rover butchered the design of the new Defender. Jeep and Mercedes have proven that they can keep the original overall shape of the vehicle while at the same time follow modern design trends (even though I don't like most modern trends myself), so why couldn't LL do the same?
What are you saying? It looks awesome!
Big Car as a land rover defender owner of many years and growing up with my father driving them as a child the new one is most definitely not awesome... it’s just tick in the box for the accountants who now run Land Rover!
I also use them for towing ships mooring ropes and wires and I can assure you our company won’t be buying the new Defender and I’ll give you the reasons....it’s massively over priced, it’s full of electronics, not built in the UK anymore, it’s only available in auto and above all it’s not designed for the utility market, it’s been aimed at the rich who want to strap their surfboards to the roof and head off to the coast for the weekend!
You won’t see farmers or utility companies buying this vehicle or any Armies in the world I can assure you of that.... if Land Rover had to stop the production then they should have just left it where it ended.. I’ll keep my 29 year old defender going and then pass it on to my children’s and our work ones, well we’ll just keep them going as well, ones just turned 21 years old so plenty of life yet!
The Newest Jeeps look nothing like a jeep... other than the wrangler... But that new Defender... It looks like a giant kia soul..
wasn't makinbg enough money for them so they needed a way to assemble it cheaply and thats why they went monocoque and boring
not to mention the suzuki Jimny too. The new one has still the essence of the original with modern instruments.
The only Land Rover I ever owned, for about 4 or 5 years, was a restored road-legal 1952 Series 1 80” in green with a detachable metal roof and detachable door windows. The roof and windows were unrestored. The 2 L petrol engine had a brass tag with Made in Solihull. Unlike later Defenders, it wasn't full-time 4WD, it had the 2WD-4WD lever. What I found amusing was the fuel tank was under the seat. The wipers were hopeless, powered by two windshield-mounted motors similar to old tractors. I sold it to a hunting event company, they wanted it to take guests out shotgun shooting. I got as much as I paid for it and it went to a suitable environment.
There's a few discrepancies in this when it comes to the FC models ... the 2b had the normal range if engines the 101 (the only FC shown) only had a 3.5 V8 and was designed in tandem with a driven trailer
Brilliant video thanks ! Always had a soft spot for the old Land Rovers. Like many blokes my age I have owned a few Corgi, Whizz Wheels & Dinky variants in my childhood lol! I really love the clunky postwar utilitarian look of the early ones especially.
Mr Big Car, I don't know how you do it - you never are shown driving the vehicles and yet your videos are totally absorbing - I always look forward to your next production !
Series late 2a had the headlights on the outside too
Yes!!! I’ve been looking forward to this!!
Thanks you filled in a lot of my knowledge of this vehicle. I have owned several, and used them off road. I recently had a small medical problem in Nepal, I was several days into a trek, and amazingly a Toyota Land cruiser made it very close to me, and took me out. The Toyota was very battered and was missing lots of bits, but I was amazed at the way it negotiated some very hostile terrain, much better than my LR experience, but it could have been the driver was very good.
I do not like the new Defender, the Farmers round here will probably stick with their old ones.
Thanks again, keep up the good work, it is appreciated.
So, whats the difference between the new defender, the freelander and the discovery? Surely these are now three cars that all essentially do the same thing? I wouldnt want to chuck my sheep or a filthy mountain bike in the back of the new defender
and whats the simularity of those 3?
You get a christmas card from your Landrover dealer and an invitation to the Christmas party at the dealer because you are such a good customer!
There will be a commercial variant of the Defender, and if that doesn't suit just wait for the Ineos 4x4 which sounds like an old Defender for refuseniks
@@seansverige A commercial reliable economical to use 4x4 from Landrover 😲
Thats something i want to see !
@@obelic71 Let the record show that I only stated the first of those things...
But yes, all versions of the new Defender will *have* to be reliable (which to be fair, they have acknowledged) as what made this acceptable in the past - i.e. being easy to work on - is no longer applicable. I wish them well but remain to be convinced
Loved my ex-MoD 110 - helped build my house in Spain - had it going through flood water level with the top of the wings. no problem
Great episode as usual! Thanks a lot!! I beg to differ with the very last sentence about the "new defender" continuing the tradition. Probably the tradition of doing the school run in an SUV that has the performance of a Porsche and sees mud only in comercials, which is what most of the later classic LR's production was about. The tradition of the go-anywhere workhorse carrying adventure-fuelled overlanders and enabling the daily miracles of simply getting there on remote tracks died with the classic LR in 2016... I get comfort in the idea that some folks will continue criss-crossing the world in the surviving Series. God these look awesome on a sandy background at the evening camp!
Oh come on, it looks great, it probably drives great, and can off road better than anything else, it's a good SUV!
@@cloudycolacorp Nope. It looks good, and they had to update it while using existing platforms to save money.
I think Suzuki have made the micro-sucessor in their new Jimny. The "defender" is, like the new mini, a cash-in on the old name. However, due to the ridiculous pricetag, I don't think the public will fall for it this time.
@@BigCar2 Yay, finally someone with brains
@@BigCar2 It arguably does look good indeed and it may be a good SUV (I'm no big fan, you'll have gotten that :-)) but let's just not call it a Defender... it's a new car for a new era and a new use. The Defender is gone for good! Why not call the new guy the Raptor or any other badass name? Even Saab understood that when they got rid of the 900 badge after the second generation failed to become as much of a cult object as the classic model...
One of my favourite things, visiting my grandparents house as a tomboy-ish girl around the age of 10 was sitting in the driver's seat of an abandoned fake Camel Trophy Series 3 Land Rover 90. I've been in love with these cars ever since.
Don't be fooled, that new Defender ain't a Defender. It's the new Freelander
I just took delivery of my 2020 defender, a new Suzuki Jimny!
My freinds elderly grandfather had some realy early landrovers from the 50s there was a chain that was pulled to engage the 4wd lol
There was a 70s one that had a crane thing in the back and bout 12 more in vairous condition
My favourate one was a green 1968 swb with a canvas back and a fold down screen and a 1976 lwb with range rover running gear (v8)i loved the rumble of the tyres on the tarmac .
They all still run and are still used by my freinds faimily on the property except one of the 60s ones as the suspention mounts snapped and the chassis needs replaceing but it still starts 🤘.
The best 4wd by far, from the chassis down.
I have a freelander about 1 hear from now , second hand. For me is a masterpiece but I'm heard from many people bad opinions. What is yours?
Absolutely- cheeky chocolate! Thank you mr little care are not alone! Xxx
Thank you!
Can’t see the new Defender being an icon........? Good luck though!
Interesting that you mention Australian Civil engineering projects - let's finish that story. LRs were used (because we were a good little colony that did what Britain told us to) initially on the Snowy Hydro project in the 50s. Problem was, they were too unreliable - as a result Toyota landed their first export sales with the Landcruiser which was not only as capable as the LR but more reliable. As a result, the LC and toyota more generally took off in Oz and never looked back. Land Rovers are seen as something posh people drive to look tough. Thanks for your vids though!
Incorrect, the original Landcruisers were inferior with 3 speed transmission and fibreglass body panels, they did improve the breed where Landrover syphoned profits and development into Leyland.... Sad.
@@alexjohnward British Leyland in the 70's the secret WW2 weapon that came way to late.
if they exported on mass that junk to Germany, they never could start WW2 !
Yeah, but after a few years the Toyota rusts away. And anyway, why do Ozzy's hate them so much. Toyota's are way more unreliable.
@@woodchip543 all Japanese cars till the half of the 80's returned back to iron ore in 10 years. Thats why there was a replacement fiberglass shell for the landcruiser.
The more electronics a car gets the more unreliable they have become.
Welding a 70/80's Toyota is easier to fix then replacing a electronic board on a modern car.
And older Toyota's in Europa are hated because of the absurd high spare / maintenance part prices.
Not for their unreliability
Land Rover's engines were unreliable in the 1960s and 70s - Aussies used to put Holden motors in them as conversions as there was always a plentiful supply of Holden spare parts in country and city areas.
I don't know where to start with the omissions and errors in this one. Let's just focus on the glaring major one. The new Defender is nothing to do with the Land Rover story. Maurice Wilks would be ashamed of it, and it's not even made in Britain.
The Land Rover has changed from a utility vehicle to a high priced status symbol. It list something when that transition occurred. This is very much like Jeep. The LR was great into the eighties and something was lost.
Just great vehicle.
I really like it´s design. Simple but elegant especially the earlier ones.
Wonderful content. I love these videos. I'm often surprised by how many interesting sides these cars, i previously found boring, have! This is feels just like the good shows the Discovery channel had, when it still favored content over constructed drama. The intro music even sounds familiar. Thank you!
No mention of the Spanish Santana / Iveco Land Rover variants which grew into a similar Defender type version. I believe a variant of these is still made in Iran. Great video
They were imported in to the UK for a while. Second-hand ones are now being exported to Canada and USA as they are Left hand drive. Basically rust free thus little work needs to be one to make them a good resale. Bonus older ones can be imported to the USA and do not have to meet pollution standards.
Or the military variants
Ribierasacra must be 25 years old though, any less, to sell, had been destroyed ! Cheers From NJ.. USA🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
Another great video !
Thank you
I bought a used minter 96' Disco 1 with 70K miles - a California car with zero rust - put about $4K in maint. bringing everything up to as new condition - and while that put me all in at about $12K it is every bit as capable as a Defender for $50K less money (and I get cruise control)
You'd love to come to the UK. You can pickup defenders for 2K not 50k lol and discos cost like 500
Myth, alumininum alloys don't rust. These alloys corrode faster than you can say cappadoozle ten times.
Especially when the fasteners are steel, you get electrolysis when combining different metals
I've been looking forward control to this
The new Defender(Pretender) launch was delayed due to quality control issues at the Slovakia assembly plant, the dealer wouldn't even take my order, now gone for a different make, Solihull insider expects lots of warranty work on electrical systems just like the Range Rovers!
I met a guy with a forward control Land Rover and was given a ride in the back with the soft top on. The ride was uncomfortable, the thing smelled of oil but I loved that machine. I miss it
It's gripped! It's sorted!
WHY THE FUCK IS THIS IN PEWS BOOK REVIEW?!🤣
That lego model looks WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better and more rugged than the real car, maybe lego should have a some say in the materials used in the next LR. Lego Defender 2020.
Easir to modify too.
Love these videos. Great to see the channel going from strength to strength. Can't wait to see the upcoming Volvo 850 video!
Fascinating history! I’m in central Victoria, Australia & only yesterday I saw 3 short wheel base models. I’m guessing 1960’s models travelling in “convoy” on Christmas holidays!👍🏼 Also I still see a substantial amount of the army Landies around where I live as one of our main army bases isn’t too far away. One of my good mates has a collection of Range Rovers as garden decorations!🤣 Anyway, good story! From Down Under, cheers. Current temp 38C heading to 42C🤪🍻
Epic vid👍👍Australian SASR used 6 wheeler version in Afghanistan, it look awesome, simply vehicle to fix unfortunately not bomb proof, been replaced by another British Supacat.
I've had 2 LRs in the mid/late 90s. One was a 2.25 (two and a quarter) that thing was a money pit. Drank petrol, snapped axles, stripped the rear diff etc. And then I bought a 90 County like the one at 10:16 which was a 2.5 diesel turbo. That one was totally different. I had it for 3 years and it was great. But I noticed that the air filter would get oily from blow back from the engine. I sold it back to the dealer I got it from and 6 months later I saw it in my mates garage! I asked what was wrong with it and he said it needs a new engine. Oops! 🇬🇧
The Australian military Perentie is a very desirable as an off-roader down here. Although most were fitted with toyota and sometimes isuzu engines for added reliability. There have been some large military auctions in the last 10 years, making these gems available to the public.
I loved the silly advert at the end! Reminded me of The Fast Show (or was it Harry Enfield and Chums??).
It's the "cheesy peas" advert from The Fast Show. A classic!
@@BigCar2 I did wonder if TH-cam had inflicted one their adverts on your video for about 3 seconds, then I died laughing. 👍
Two (that I saw) Fast Show references in one video, classic :)
Let's off road!
Anyone who has fond memories and a heartache when the Land Rover's ceased production, take a heart. Apparently, they are building a new vehicle that almost looks like what the LR Defender should have become. Its the Ineos Grenadier and it lokks amazingly like a long-lost twin brother of the Defender. It is a 4x4 with solid axles and a 5-point link suspension with a ladder-frame chassis - built for serious offroading. It would also have a modern updated interiors with a 8" LCD screen, cruise control and Low/high gear ratios and some relevant creature comforts. Look it up on the net - and wait till its launched - slated by Mid-2022 or early 2023.
Very interesting video as always but I'm. Sure the 101 forward control used the 3.5 v8 it was also redesigned by Land rover specialist vehicles to be the taxis in judge dred. The was a v8 series 3 in 1979 called the stage 1 available on 109 inch pick up and station wagon wich looks like an mix of a series 3 and 110 the are very rare and usually garish colours
The forward control is a different vehicle to the 101,it had 6 cylinder petrol and 2.25 diesel not a v8 that was in the 101
The original was the forward control available with the 2.25 petrol and diesel as well as the 2. 6 straight 6 but the one shown in the video is the later 101 forward control built for the army that was 24 volt v8 with permanent 4x4 they had different front ends looks more angular Shap like the light weight air portable
"Hi, and welcome to Land Rover club."
*turns to camera*.
'Nice'.
Suits you sir. Och.
Well played, well played.
Good video Big car and I'm enjoying the series. However the 110 forward control models 2a and 2b were very odd looking things but the one you showed is the 101 and those had a V8 so wasn't gutless at all. It was used in gs trim as a gun tractor with a rag top, hard top as a radio vehicle and with a big body for an ambulance. I've driven a GS once and it was an amazing experience. 😊
Also used by Fire Brigades in provincial Ireland
The best 4x4 ever, nothing even today beats it !
The real strength of the Defender and it’s predecessors is it could be fixed and maintained by the average farmer / soldier / explorer in the field using basic tools and supplies. Any modern replacements aren’t like this, as vehicles these days are designed in such a way that they are difficult to repair outside a main dealership workshop (which generates more revenue for the manufacturer). Sadly the pursuit of profit has defeated the original idea behind these vehicles.
The Defender 90 was an unbeatable iconic design and with the improved interior and air conditioning it could get no better.
and now it has all-tracking control.
Loved the video. I've had different Land Rovers for 25 years and love my Puma best. The Land Rover spirit lives on in the Grenadier, not the new Tata toy.
2.2l petrol engine?! It's a two and a quarter! :D
2286cc to be exact...
Defenders rock! Fantastic video thanks
Agree with other comments. Big error! All the photos of the forward control are the Military 101 not the Forward Control as produced in the 60s
1. Coffee...checked😉
2. Wife ....out with friends😂
3. Kids....sleeeeeep🤔
4. Damn still 95 minutes to go😣
Looking forward to it..
Love them ❤
We'll see how the Defender does in the US now that we finally have one again. They will be built in Slovakia. That may help the Defender in terms of build quality and reliability. It can't hurt, given the none too sterling reputation of the British built Defenders in these areas. It's going to have to sell in a crowded market against the new Ford Bronco,. Mercedes G class, and the restyled Land Cruiser. There's also the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler to help wrap up the low end of the market. Pricing is still up in the air as the first ones to come here will be the two door Model 90 First Edition, going for an eye popping $66,125. The four door 110 is supposed to be here later in 2020 and sell in the $50,000 range, a more competitive price. I'm looking forward to a test drive and see the list of standard equipment.
I think you may have typed your comment backwards. The 4 door is coming first while the 2 door comes later at a cheaper price. I think it looks decent and it does have some nice features. I actually configured one like my 06 Lr3 and it came within $1,000 of my lr3 price with inflation.
@@ZacharySolomon0429 You're right, the Model 110 four door will be first with the First Edition coming in summer. Kind of a strange way for Land Rover to do it. The Model 110 is supposed to be somewhere around $50,000 and the First Edition is going for $65,000. www.motor1.com/news/383321/2020-land-rover-pricing/
We'll see what the real price is once they hit the street.
Never heard so much dribble in my life. Obviously never owned the real defender. Which is a remarkable iconic car. The build quality and reliability of the defender is why its the most famous 4x4 in the world. This new defender wont even make it to the safrais of Afrcia. Its a embarassment and has ruined the iconic defender.
@@klgreload ...You have so much nostalgia like it's a drug. Just accept it man..
Back in JAMAICA. BWI, we had 3 long wheelbase LR s all RHD, spare tyre , on the bonnet, 1 was green, 2 were lt blue, in the rear was LARGE , was for the power takeoff ,,we used them to pump water for agriculture, all were PETROL, 4 spd transmission , these were ALL BEFORE DEFENDERS, OR RANGE ROVERS , were ever made, never any serious problems, I last saw them in 1959, when I left for the USA. CHEERS FROM NJ, USA. 🏴🏴🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
Sadly, I'll miss this live but I'll watch it at the first chance I get.
Sorry, I tried to pick a time when most people could watch.
@@BigCar2 No need to apologise my friend, its the perfect time.
It's just idiots like me that work the most unsociable hours that man could create !
*PROPER* production & research.
Excellent work Sir (as always).
The Finnish defencce Forces uses Defenders. A buddy of mine was driving and told us "I'm scared to take these corners at over 60(km/h) even though the limit is 80 because I feel like this would roll over" (in relatively mild corners)
Corners are issues .Same experiences with shortlands
Brilliant video and the TH-cam premier option was great - a notification about my favourite ever car (that sadly I've never owned and with the current bonkers resale values, probably never will) from my favourite TH-cam car channel - happy new year to you!
Thanks! And a Happy New Year to you!
Love the little Fast Show quote! XD
It was an awesome show!
@@BigCar2 true!
It really was! th-cam.com/video/Sqbb1XUnP4A/w-d-xo.html
Oh i love defenders! Always loved how they looked!
My neighboars son had quite a few land rovers over the years. One was an ex dutch military series 3 lightweight wich was developed to be airlifted by helicopters. It was super basic and stripped from basically anything that has something to do with luxury!
I have a BMW E36 328i Touring manual as a daily driver, later i learned that my car has the same M52B28 engine that went into the Land Rover Defender. Hard to believe though because it barely has any torque on low rpms haha. It loves to rev high. Not really practical in a off road vehicle i think.
Awesome adventure Defender the best Trail car
Lovely iconic vehicles. Love them!
Power takeoff is not tested by plowing fields, but by powering external equipment. The use of Aluminum resulted in a lower center of gravity than similar vehicles which used steel body work. This resulted in being able to traverse steeper terrain without tipping over.
Outstanding. Thank you.
The good old Landy or Laro a car you love and hate in the same time.
I have a 1971 BL made euh slamed togheter with faulty parts by drunk workers series 3 109 (single cab with a bed)
I learned car mechanics, electrics and welding (Chassis) on that car.
After 20 years of wrenching, improving, welding and making the car right she is now better then ever.
I also have an old Toyota FJ40.
Both a great offroaders. but the 109 has 1 big advantage a complete front and rear working power take of shaft system!
On offroad events she is often used as a stationair engine to power several equipment for the offroad event. The "small" industrial Perkins 4 cil. diesel in the Landy is a match made in heaven !
In the Netherlands lots of Landies are still around most of them are ex military or ex goverment vehicles. The civilian from new ones were mostly bought to tow trailers with horses livestock and construction equipment.
Due to the bad quality of the original parts they almost all have been modified with parts from other car manufacturers or homebuild way better then original parts.
Mercedes diesel engines and German /Japanese electrical systems are often retrofitted.
Well there are few jeeps like RR left: UAZ, Mahindra.
Максим Сахаров Mahindra sucks ,they made a stupid useless thing by installing an underpowered tractor engine on a jeep cj3b chassis ! Mitsubishi however did it far better by making the Mitsubishi cj !
I've been looking forward to this actually
I really want the old design to come back
These videos are absolutely fantastic - well done on such great research 👍👍
Great stuff. Good job!
Very enjoyable video. Appreciate your hard work.
Good job !
I enjoyed the story
I wish they kept another original value of the Defender - by keeping them affordable... 😢
When you mentioned the Forward Control models you talk about the 1960s version that used standard body parts and engines on a modified chassis. Their wheelbases were 109" originally before increasing to 110". However the images you used to illustrate them is of the 1972-6 military version built as a gun tractor. They had 101 inch chassis and used the Range Rover 3.5 V8 engine - a very different vehicle
@Big Car
Excellent work. Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!
Thanks - and to you also!
I read somewhere once, that for many people around the world, the first car they would see in their lives, would be a Land Rover! 🇩🇰 ℳ