In January 2016, Land Rover stopped producing the Defender model: 68 years after the first introduction to the AutoRAI in 1948. Land Rover thus said goodbye to an icon. Land Rover devised a way to reflect on this moment in an appropriate way. It also built a bridge to the future Defender. Land Rover gave the Dutch designer Piet Boon a nice assignment. He was asked to make one of the last Defender copies a one-off. The result is a contemporary and unique interpretation of the iconic model: Last Defender by Piet Boon.
Piet Boon: 'The Defender is a fantastic car. Timeless and truly an icon. Being asked to provide one of the last examples with an aesthetic design is a great honor. You just don't get that chance anymore. With the Last Defender we honor the original design and celebrate the history of the special model. " Boon himself also owns a Defender.
Beautiful design details
The body and the characteristic door and hood hinges are made of Pure Aluminum, with the gloss black “sawtooth” rims and stainless steel details, such as the headlight units, air intakes and grille, providing extra contrast. The canvas hood construction, the leather pieces and belts have a brown color. A 'Last Defender' badge in bronze on the tailgate refers to Piet Boon's unique project. The combination of Pure Aluminum with the brown body and brown hood is also extended to the interior. The exterior color of this unique Defender is reflected in the interior. The front seats, 'cubby box' and the inside of the doors are covered with brown-colored leather. The leather has exactly the same shade as the body.
"A Defender remains relevant"
Marc Bienemann, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover BeNeLux: 'In its almost 68 anniversary, the Defender has proven to be a timeless car, but also to be relevant and to stay in changing circumstances. Also for this reason, Piet's choice to pay tribute to the Defender was more than logical '. Piet Boon was a guest at the National Autoshow of BNR on 7 October. In the broadcast, Boon stated that it is still unclear what will happen to the special Last Defender by Piet Boon.