A Series I and a Defender 90 parked on a muddy moorland track at sunset

The Archive, 1948 - 2016

Every Land Rover Series and Defender

From the 80 inch prototype shown in Amsterdam to the final Defender off the Solihull line. Release dates, end dates and specifications for every customer model, plus the military and utility machines that served around the world.

Browse the models Military & utility

Years in production: 68
Series & Defenders built: 2M+
Amsterdam debut: 1948
Last Solihull Defender: 2016

Production timeline

68 years at a glance

Leaf-sprung Series
Coil-sprung
Defender

Series I 80"
1948 - 1953
Series I 86" / 107"
1954 - 1958
Series II
1958 - 1961
Series IIA
1961 - 1971
Series IIA / IIB Forward Control
1962 - 1972
Series III
1971 - 1985
Series III Stage 1 V8
1979 - 1985
Series IIA / III 109" One Ton
1968 - 1980
Land Rover One Ten
1983 - 1990
Land Rover Ninety
1984 - 1990
Land Rover 127
1985 - 1990
Defender 90
1990 - 2016
Defender 110
1990 - 2016
Defender 130
1990 - 2016
Defender 90 / 110 NAS
1993 - 1997
Defender 50th Anniversary
1998 - 1998
Defender SVX
2008 - 2009
Celebration Series
2015 - 2016

Customer models

The production line-up

Every civilian Series, coil-sprung and Defender model sold to the public, with its launch year, final year and key specifications.

Series I

Series I 80"

Released: 1948
Ended: 1953

Unveiled at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948. Built from aluminium alloy over a box-section steel chassis, it was intended as a stop-gap farm vehicle and went on to outsell Rover cars within a year.

Wheelbase: 80 in (2,032 mm)
Engine: 1.6 L I4 petrol, 2.0 L I4 petrol from 1951
Power: 50 - 52 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Selectable 4WD (permanent with freewheel until 1950)
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Tickford Station Wagon, Pick-up

Full specifications

Series I

Series I 86" / 107"

Released: 1954
Ended: 1958

Longer chassis gave more load space, and the 107" pick-up added a true long-wheelbase workhorse. A 5-door 107" Station Wagon arrived in 1956, the year wheelbases grew again to 88" and 109".

Wheelbase: 86 in / 107 in, then 88 in / 109 in (1956)
Engine: 2.0 L I4 petrol, 2.0 L I4 diesel from 1957
Power: 51 - 52 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Selectable 4WD
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, 7 & 10-seat Station Wagon

Full specifications

Series II

Released: 1958
Ended: 1961

Styled by David Bache, the Series II introduced the curved "barrel side" body and wider track. It was the first Land Rover to use the 2.25 litre petrol engine that would power the line for decades.

Wheelbase: 88 in / 109 in
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol, 2.0 L I4 diesel
Power: 51 - 77 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Selectable 4WD
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, Station Wagon

Full specifications

Series IIA

Released: 1961
Ended: 1971

The most produced Series model of its time and the classic expedition Land Rover. A 2.25 litre diesel arrived at launch, the 2.6 litre six followed in 1967, and headlamps moved into the wings from 1969.

Wheelbase: 88 in / 109 in
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol & diesel, 2.6 L I6 petrol (109")
Power: 62 - 83 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Selectable 4WD
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, 7 & 12-seat Station Wagon

Full specifications

Forward Control

Series IIA / IIB Forward Control

Based onSeries IIA

Released: 1962
Ended: 1972

A cab-over-engine conversion of the 109" chassis giving a 30 cwt payload. The IIB of 1966 gained a 110" wheelbase, a wider track and the 2.6 litre six as standard.

Wheelbase: 109 in (IIA), 110 in (IIB)
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol, 2.6 L I6 petrol, 2.25 L diesel
Power: 62 - 85 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Payload: 1.5 tons (30 cwt)
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Drop-side, Box van, Tipper, specialist conversions

Full specifications

Series III

Released: 1971
Ended: 1985

The most numerous Series model, with roughly 440,000 built. It brought an all-synchromesh gearbox, a plastic grille, a padded dashboard and stronger brakes, while keeping the leaf-sprung formula.

Wheelbase: 88 in / 109 in
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol & diesel, 2.6 L I6 petrol
Power: 62 - 86 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed all-synchro manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Selectable 4WD
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, County Station Wagon

Full specifications

Series III

Series III Stage 1 V8

Based onSeries III

Released: 1979
Ended: 1985

The first V8 Land Rover, borrowing the Rover 3.5 litre engine and permanent four wheel drive from the Range Rover. Spotted by its flush-fitted grille, it paved the way for the coil-sprung generation.

Wheelbase: 109 in
Engine: 3.5 L Rover V8 petrol
Power: 91 bhp
Gearbox: LT95 4-speed manual
Drive: Permanent 4WD with lockable centre diff
Suspension: Leaf springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, Station Wagon

Full specifications

Series IIA / III

Series IIA / III 109" One Ton

Based onSeries IIA Series III

Released: 1968
Ended: 1980

A heavy-duty 109 for operators who needed more payload than the standard model. Lower gearing, larger tyres, uprated springs and ENV axles let it carry a full ton. It sold in small numbers and is rare today.

Wheelbase: 109 in
Engine: 2.6 L I6 petrol, 2.25 L I4 diesel option
Power: 62 - 86 bhp
Gearbox: 4-speed manual, low-ratio transfer box
Payload: 1 ton
Tyres: 9.00 x 16 heavy duty
Bodies: Pick-up, Hard top, Station Wagon

Full specifications

One Ten

Land Rover One Ten

Released: 1983
Ended: 1990

A complete re-engineering: coil springs, disc front brakes, permanent four wheel drive and a one-piece windscreen. Wheel arch extensions covered the wider axles and set the shape of every model that followed.

Wheelbase: 110 in (2,794 mm)
Engine: 2.25 / 2.5 L petrol, 2.3 / 2.5 L diesel, 2.5 Turbo D, 3.5 V8
Power: 60 - 134 bhp
Gearbox: 4 or 5-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Permanent 4WD
Suspension: Coil springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, High Capacity Pick-up, County Station Wagon

Full specifications

Ninety

Land Rover Ninety

Released: 1984
Ended: 1990

The short wheelbase counterpart to the One Ten. Despite the name, its wheelbase measured 92.9 inches. Wind-up windows replaced sliding glass and the County trim brought cloth seats to the farmyard.

Wheelbase: 92.9 in (2,360 mm)
Engine: 2.5 L petrol, 2.5 L diesel, 2.5 Turbo D, 3.5 V8
Power: 67 - 134 bhp
Gearbox: 5-speed LT77 manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Permanent 4WD
Suspension: Coil springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, County Station Wagon

Full specifications

127

Land Rover 127

Based onLand Rover One Ten

Released: 1985
Ended: 1990

Built by stretching a One Ten chassis, the 127 was aimed at utilities and emergency services needing a crew cab and a long load bed. It became the Defender 130 in 1990.

Wheelbase: 127 in (3,226 mm)
Engine: 2.5 L petrol, 2.5 L diesel, 3.5 V8
Power: 67 - 134 bhp
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, 2-speed transfer
Drive: Permanent 4WD
Suspension: Coil springs front and rear
Bodies: Crew Cab Pick-up, Chassis Cab

Full specifications

Defender

Defender 90

Based onLand Rover Ninety

Released: 1990
Ended: 2016

Renamed Defender in 1990 to sit alongside the Discovery. Engines evolved from the 200Tdi through 300Tdi, Td5 and Ford-derived Puma TDCi units until production at Solihull ended on 29 January 2016.

Wheelbase: 92.9 in (2,360 mm)
Engine: 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td5, 2.4 TDCi, 2.2 TDCi diesel; 3.5 / 3.9 / 4.0 V8
Power: 107 - 182 bhp
Gearbox: 5-speed R380, 6-speed MT82 from 2007
Drive: Permanent 4WD with lockable centre diff
Suspension: Coil springs front and rear
Bodies: Soft top, Hard top, Pick-up, Station Wagon

Full specifications

Defender

Defender 110

Based onLand Rover One Ten

Released: 1990
Ended: 2016

The most versatile Defender, offered as a 5-door wagon seating up to nine, a utility, and a double cab. The 2007 update brought a new dashboard, forward-facing rear seats and the bonnet bulge for the TDCi engine.

Wheelbase: 110 in (2,794 mm)
Engine: 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td5, 2.4 TDCi, 2.2 TDCi diesel; 3.5 / 3.9 V8
Power: 107 - 182 bhp
Gearbox: 5-speed R380, 6-speed MT82 from 2007
Drive: Permanent 4WD with lockable centre diff
Suspension: Coil springs front and rear
Bodies: Station Wagon, Utility Wagon, Hard top, Pick-up, Double Cab

Full specifications

Defender

Defender 130

Based onLand Rover 127

Released: 1990
Ended: 2016

The successor to the 127 kept the same 127 inch wheelbase but adopted the Defender name. A favourite with utility companies and converters for ambulances, recovery trucks and crew carriers.

Wheelbase: 127 in (3,226 mm)
Engine: 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td5, 2.4 TDCi, 2.2 TDCi diesel
Power: 107 - 122 bhp
Gearbox: 5-speed R380, 6-speed MT82 from 2007
Drive: Permanent 4WD with lockable centre diff
Suspension: Coil springs front and rear
Bodies: Double Cab High Capacity Pick-up, Chassis Cab

Full specifications

Defender

Defender 90 / 110 NAS

Based onDefender 90 Defender 110

Released: 1993
Ended: 1997

North American Specification models built to meet US safety rules. Around 500 110 wagons came first in 1993, followed by the 90 soft top with its full external roll cage. All used the 3.9 or 4.0 litre V8.

Wheelbase: 92.9 in (90) / 110 in (110)
Engine: 3.9 L Rover V8, 4.0 L V8 in 1997
Power: 182 bhp
Gearbox: R380 5-speed manual, ZF 4-speed auto (1997)
Drive: Permanent 4WD with lockable centre diff
Safety: External roll cage, side impact bars
Bodies: 90 Soft top, 90 Station Wagon, 110 Station Wagon

Full specifications

Defender

Defender 50th Anniversary

Based onDefender 90

Released: 1998
Ended: 1998

Built to mark fifty years of Land Rover. Every example was an Atlantis Blue 90 hard top with a 4.0 litre V8 and automatic gearbox, the only time a factory Defender was sold this way in the UK.

Wheelbase: 92.9 in
Engine: 4.0 L Rover V8 petrol
Power: 182 bhp
Gearbox: ZF 4HP22 4-speed automatic
Production: Approx. 1,071 built
Features: Air con, chrome side runners, 18 in alloys

Full specifications

Defender

Defender SVX

Based onDefender 90 Defender 110

Released: 2008
Ended: 2009

A 60th anniversary limited edition finished in Santorini Black with red calipers, a tubular roll cage and Recaro seats. Most were 90 soft tops and hard tops, with a smaller run of 110 utility wagons.

Wheelbase: 92.9 in / 110 in
Engine: 2.4 L Puma TDCi turbodiesel
Power: 122 bhp
Gearbox: MT82 6-speed manual
Production: Approx. 1,800 built
Features: Recaro seats, black alloys, external roll cage

Full specifications

Defender

Celebration Series

Based onDefender 90 Defender 110

Released: 2015
Ended: 2016

Three farewell editions released before production ended: the retro Heritage in Grasmere Green, the off-road Adventure, and the hand-finished Autobiography with an uprated engine.

Wheelbase: 92.9 in / 110 in
Engine: 2.2 L TDCi turbodiesel
Power: 122 bhp, 148 bhp (Autobiography)
Gearbox: MT82 6-speed manual
Editions: Heritage, Adventure, Autobiography
Production: Approx. 1,080 across all three (UK)

Full specifications

In service

Military & utility models

Beyond the showroom, Land Rovers were adapted for war zones, airfields and roadside rescues. These are some of the most significant specialist variants.

Military

Purpose-built and heavily modified Land Rovers for armed forces, from air-portable Lightweights to armoured patrol vehicles.

Air-portable light utility

Military

Lightweight (Half-Ton)

Based onSeries IIA Series III

Released: 1968
Ended: 1984

Designed for the British Army to be lifted by Wessex helicopter. Panels, doors and bumpers could be stripped in minutes to cut weight, giving it the flat, slab-sided look that makes it instantly recognisable.

Base: Series IIA, then Series III 88"
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol
Power: 77 bhp
Payload: 0.5 ton
Electrics: 24 V FFR (Fitted For Radio) option
Operators: British Army, Royal Marines, RAF, export forces

Full specifications

One-tonne gun tractor

Military

101 Forward Control

Released: 1975
Ended: 1978

Built to tow the 105 mm Light Gun and the Rapier missile system. Some were fitted with a powered trailer axle driven from the vehicle. Around 2,600 were made, and many served into the late 1990s.

Base: Bespoke 101 in chassis
Engine: 3.5 L Rover V8 petrol
Power: 128 bhp
Payload: 1 tonne
Drive: Permanent 4WD
Variants: GS cargo, Ambulance, Rapier tractor, Vampire radio

Full specifications

SAS desert patrol

Military

Pink Panther

Based onSeries IIA

Released: 1968
Ended: c.1985

Around 72 Series IIA 109s were converted by Marshall of Cambridge for the Special Air Service. The pink paint was found to blend into desert terrain at dawn and dusk, earning the vehicle its nickname.

Base: Series IIA 109"
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol
Power: 77 bhp
Range: Extended with extra fuel and water jerry cans
Equipment: Sun compass, sand channels, smoke dischargers, GPMG mounts
Converter: Marshall of Cambridge

Full specifications

Extra-duty military utility

Military

Defender Wolf (XD)

Based onDefender 90 Defender 110

Released: 1998
Ended: In service

The "Extra Duty" Defender developed after extensive British Army trials. Strengthened chassis, axles and suspension, plus an integral roll cage, made it far tougher than any civilian model.

Base: Defender 90 & 110 XD
Engine: 300Tdi 2.5 L I4 turbodiesel
Power: 111 bhp
Gearbox: R380 5-speed manual
Chassis: Reinforced, heavy duty axles and wheels
Variants: GS, FFR, WMIK weapons carrier, Ambulance

Full specifications

Armoured patrol vehicle

Military

Snatch Land Rover

Based onDefender 110

Released: 1992
Ended: Phased out

Developed for policing duties in Northern Ireland, the Snatch used a composite armoured body to protect against small arms fire and riots. Later Snatch 2 versions used uprated running gear.

Base: Defender 110 heavy duty chassis
Engine: 300Tdi, later Td5 turbodiesel
Power: 111 - 122 bhp
Armour: Composite body by Courtaulds / NP Aerospace
Weight: Approx. 3,050 kg
Crew: Driver plus up to 6

Full specifications

Half-track prototype

Military

Laird Centaur Half-Track

Based onSeries III Stage 1 V8

Released: 1978
Ended: Early 1980s

Laird of Anglesey combined a Series III Stage 1 V8 front end with a shortened Alvis Scorpion track unit at the rear. Only a small number were built, a few going to overseas forces.

Base: Series III Stage 1 V8
Engine: 3.5 L Rover V8 petrol
Power: 91 bhp
Running gear: Front wheels, rear Alvis Scorpion tracks
Payload: Approx. 3 tonnes
Converter: Laird (Anglesey) Ltd

Full specifications

Tracked conversion

Military

Cuthbertson Tracked

Based onSeries II Series IIA

Released: 1961
Ended: Mid 1960s

James A. Cuthbertson of Biggar, Scotland, mounted a 109 on four rubber track units driven from the original hubs. Ground pressure was low enough for bogs and snow, and the army tested it for bomb disposal work.

Base: Series II / IIA 109"
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol or diesel
Power: 62 - 77 bhp
Running gear: Four sprocket-driven rubber track units
Top speed: Approx. 20 mph
Converter: James A. Cuthbertson Ltd

Full specifications

Light utility

Military

Series I Military

Based onSeries I 80"Series I 86" / 107"

Released: 1949
Ended: 1958

The War Office placed its first order in 1949, beginning a relationship that lasted over sixty years. Early military Series Is were close to civilian spec, with blackout lamps, rifle clips and later 24 V radio fits.

Base: Series I 80" and 86"
Engine: 1.6 / 2.0 L I4 petrol
Power: 50 - 52 bhp
Payload: Approx. 0.25 ton
Electrics: 12 V, 24 V FFR on later vehicles
Operators: British Army, RAF, Commonwealth forces

Full specifications

Armoured patrol car

Military

Shorland Armoured Car

Based onSeries IIA Series III Defender 110

Released: 1965
Ended: 1990s

Short Brothers & Harland of Belfast built the Shorland for the Royal Ulster Constabulary. A steel body and small turret sat on a 109 chassis, and later marks moved to V8 power and the Defender 110.

Base: Series IIA / III 109", later Defender 110
Engine: 2.25 L / 2.6 L petrol, 3.5 L V8 (Mk 4 on)
Power: 67 - 91 bhp
Armour: Steel, approx. 7 - 11 mm
Crew: 3
Operators: RUC, UDR and forces in over 40 countries

Full specifications

General service

Military

Military Ninety / One Ten

Based onLand Rover Ninety Land Rover One Ten

Released: 1985
Ended: 1998

The coil-sprung models replaced the Series III in British service from the mid 1980s. They served as GS cargo, FFR radio and ambulance vehicles until the tougher Wolf took over.

Base: Ninety and One Ten
Engine: 2.5 L I4 diesel
Power: 67 bhp
Gearbox: LT77 5-speed manual
Electrics: 24 V FFR option
Variants: GS, FFR, Ambulance, Royal Navy, RAF

Full specifications

Six-wheel heavy utility

Military

Perentie 6x6

Based onLand Rover One Ten Land Rover 127

Released: 1987
Ended: 1992

Built by Jaguar Rover Australia for the Australian Army alongside a 4x4 version. A third driven axle and Isuzu turbodiesel turned it into a load carrier, and it also served as a long-range patrol vehicle with special forces.

Base: One Ten derived 6x6 chassis
Engine: Isuzu 4BD1T 3.9 L turbodiesel
Power: Approx. 120 bhp
Drive: 6x6, permanent drive to front and middle
Payload: Approx. 3 tonnes
Operator: Australian Army

Full specifications

Weapons carrier

Military

Wolf WMIK

Based onDefender Wolf (XD)

Released: 1999
Ended: In service

The Weapons Mount Installation Kit turned a stripped Wolf 110 into a fast reconnaissance and fire support vehicle. A ring mount took a heavy machine gun or grenade launcher, with a GPMG for the commander.

Base: Defender Wolf 110
Engine: 300Tdi 2.5 L turbodiesel
Power: 111 bhp
Frame: Heavy tubular roll cage with ring mount
Crew: 3
Operators: British Army, Royal Marines, RAF Regiment

Full specifications

Battlefield ambulance

Military

Wolf 130 Battlefield Ambulance

Based onDefender 130 Field Ambulance

Released: 1997
Ended: In service

Marshall built a box body on the heavy-duty 130 chassis to replace the old 101 and Series ambulances. It carries stretcher cases with a medic, and its tall body made it a familiar sight in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Base: Defender 130 heavy duty
Engine: 300Tdi 2.5 L turbodiesel
Power: 111 bhp
Capacity: 4 stretchers or 6 seated, plus medic
Body: Insulated GRP / aluminium box
Converter: Marshall of Cambridge

Full specifications

Utility & emergency

Specialist conversions that turned the humble chassis into ambulances, fire tenders and recovery cranes.

Ambulance

Utility

Field Ambulance

Based onSeries IIA Series III

Released: 1961
Ended: 1985

Marshall of Cambridge built tall box-bodied ambulances on the 109 chassis for the military, St John Ambulance and overseas health services. The Defender 130 continued the role from 1990.

Base: Series IIA / III 109"
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol or 2.6 L I6 petrol
Power: 77 - 86 bhp
Capacity: 4 stretchers or 6 seated patients
Body: Insulated aluminium box with rear doors
Converter: Marshall of Cambridge

Full specifications

Fire appliance

Utility

Fire Tender

Based onSeries I 86" / 107"

Released: 1952
Ended: 1990s

From the early 1950s Land Rovers were converted into compact fire appliances for airfields, estates, factories and rural brigades. A front or rear mounted pump driven from the power take-off fed hose reels.

Base: Series I 86" onwards
Engine: 2.0 L I4 petrol (Series I)
Power: 52 bhp
Pump: PTO-driven, typically 250 - 500 gpm
Equipment: Hose reels, ladders, bell, foam tank
Converters: Sun Engineering, HCB-Angus, Carmichael

Full specifications

Breakdown / crane truck

Utility

Recovery Crane

Based onSeries II Series IIA Series III

Released: 1958
Ended: 1985

Garages and fleet operators fitted Harvey Frost and similar cranes into the rear tub of 109 pick-ups. A hand-cranked or PTO-powered jib allowed a car to be lifted and suspended-towed back to the workshop.

Base: Series II / IIA / III 109" Pick-up
Engine: 2.25 L I4 petrol or 2.6 L I6 petrol
Power: 77 - 86 bhp
Crane: Harvey Frost hand or PTO winch jib
Capacity: Approx. 1 ton lift
Users: Garages, AA / RAC, municipal fleets

Full specifications

Railway maintenance

Utility

Road-Rail Defender

Based onDefender 110 Defender 130

Released: 1990
Ended: 2016

Railway engineers fitted hydraulic guide wheels front and rear so a Defender could drive onto the track at a level crossing and run on the rails, carrying crews and tools to remote sections of line.

Base: Defender 110 / 130
Engine: 300Tdi, Td5 or TDCi turbodiesel
Power: 111 - 122 bhp
Rail gear: Hydraulically lowered steel guide wheels
Equipment: Beacons, towing gear, crew cab
Users: Network Rail, rail contractors worldwide

Full specifications

Police patrol

Utility

Police Defender

Based onDefender 110

Released: 1990
Ended: 2016

Rural and motorway forces used Defender 110 wagons for incident response, towing and flood work, continuing a police tradition that began with the Series I. Armoured versions served in Northern Ireland.

Base: Defender 110 Station Wagon
Engine: 200Tdi, 300Tdi, Td5 or TDCi turbodiesel
Power: 107 - 122 bhp
Equipment: Light bar, sirens, cones, signage
Livery: Battenburg high-visibility markings
Users: UK police forces, overseas police

Full specifications

Search & rescue

Utility

Mountain Rescue

Based onDefender 110 Defender 130

Released: 1990
Ended: 2016

Volunteer mountain and fell rescue teams relied on Defender 110 and 130 crew cabs to reach casualties on hill tracks. Box bodies held stretchers, ropes and medical kit, and many teams still run them.

Base: Defender 110 / 130 crew cab
Engine: 300Tdi, Td5 or TDCi turbodiesel
Power: 111 - 122 bhp
Equipment: Stretchers, ropes, casualty bag, radios
Body: Rear box body or hard top
Users: UK mountain rescue teams

Full specifications