Land Rover Defender 2,000,000: Bid to keep milestone Defender in UK looks set to fail

Photo Land Rover Defender 2.000,000 Bonhams

Bid to keep milestone Defender in UK looks set to fail

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A crowd funding effort by a Land Rover enthusiast to keep the 2,000,000 Defender in the UK looks set to fail as the effort raises just £1,320.

Much of the Land Rover news this last few weeks has centred around celebrations of the Defender as production draws to a close, and the auction of the 2,000,000 Land Rover Defender tomorrow (16 December) by Bonhams in London.

It’s expected the milestone Defender – built by a group of famous Land Rover lovers – will fetch a significant price when it goes under the hammer (probably in six figures) with all proceeds going to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Born Free Foundation. All very noble, and very appropriate for a car very much at the heart of the efforts of these particular charities.

One man hoping to bid for the milestone Defender – long-term Land Rover owner Brian Reynolds – has turned to a very modern way of creating the funds to make his bid by launching a crowd funding plea to keep the iconic car in the UK.

Brian set a target of £100,000, with the aim of buying the 2 millionth Defender and installing it in a working heritage museum in the UK for current and future generations to enjoy, with any money left over after a successful bid going to the charities also.

With so many lovers of the Defender in the UK, the project looked quite sensible. But it seems Defender lovers have short arms and long pockets.

Poor old Brian has raised just £1,320 so far, and with the auction due in just 24 hours from now (6pm on 16 Dec in London), it looks like time has run out for Brian’s dream.

Still, it’s not over until the fat lady sings.