The auction of the Land Rover 'Defender 2.000.000' at Bonhams in London has yielded thick 550.000 euros. The entire proceeds go to charity, namely the Red Cross and the wildlife protection organization Born Free Foundation. They are two organizations that Land Rover has supported for some time. They were gilded with the proceeds, which is evenly distributed among the parties.
The Defender jubilee was sold to a Qatar bidder last week. It is the two millionth produced copy of the iconic SUV, the production of which began in 1948 in Solihull with the Series I Land Rover. It had its world premiere at the AutoRAI in Amsterdam that year. Over the years, two million copies of the Series I, II, III and Defender have been produced in Solihull. Production of the current generation will stop at the end of January 2016.
Specific feature
The auctioned Land Rover Defender is distinguished by specific style elements. Think of the aluminum engraved map of Red Wharf Bay, where the idea for the first Land Rover originated, 'no. 2.000.000 badges and leather upholstery with 'Red Wharf Bay' design. This copy was produced in May 2015 in the presence of Discovery Channel survivor Bear Grylls, actress Virginia McKenna (founder Born Free Foundation) and Stephen and Nick Wilks, sons of Land Rover founder. Their signatures adorn this one-of-a-kind Anniversary Defender. Incidentally, it was unveiled during the Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 25-28) at Bonhams, the place where this anniversary copy was auctioned for € 550.000.
Proceeds for Nepal and Project Lion Rover
The Red Cross will use the donation from the auction to help earthquake-stricken communities in Nepal. Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross: “We are very grateful to Land Rover for half of this auction revenue. The Red Cross has been using Defenders since the 1950s. Land Rover has sponsored us several times with vehicles and gifts. The project in Nepal is the eighteenth year in which we receive support from Land Rover. The donation contributes to improving the lives and living conditions of thousands of people. ”The Born Free Foundation, on the other hand, spends the money on the 'Lion Rover Project' in Meru National Park in Kenya. This project focuses on protecting lion populations and other wild life and combating poaching.