In 2015/16 Land Rover built just 400 Heritage Editions Land Rover Defenders which marked 67 years of the model’s production. In 90” or 110” wheelbase, all were painted Grasmere Green, the colour borne by the original 1948 Land Rover prototype and a “HUE 166” wing badge, that paid tribute to the original car’s number plate. Other features include, but not limited to the classic “lightning bolt” Land Rover badges, the heritage-style grille, mudflaps, 16” body colour wheels and a white hard top roof.
On January 29th 2016, the last ever Defender rolled off the assembly line in Solihull, England, where Series and Defender Land Rovers had been built continuously for 68 years - 2,016,933 of them. It was a 90 Heritage Edition Soft Top, converted by JLR for a very important client, who desired the last Defender off the production line. One of only 2 ever made, the other was retained by the Jaguar Land Rover Heritage collection.
Our example is a tribute to that last ever Defender, converted By Vitesse Global Ltd in 2021, using a low mileage, well maintained and serviced 2008 Defender 90 pick-up, as the donor vehicle.
Mechanically, it features the 2.4 TDCI engine, as opposed to the 2.2 TDCI engines fitted to Defenders from 2012 onwards.
Externally, it is all but identical to the last made example, albeit, it carries the spare wheel on the rear door and not inside, the fabric hood has “windows” in the sides and the front bumper is a galvanised item, not silver painted. It also comes with an additional “Bikini” hood, that when fitted covers just the front seats, perfect for the summer months.
It is the interior where our vehicle stands out, being fitted with a bespoke Cordings of Piccadilly tweed and sage green Italian leather interior, with matching occasional rear bench seats. Fitted with a full roll cage for increased safety, it is also highly specified, with electric windows, heated seats and Sony Radio/CD player with Bluetooth connectivity USB port.
Presented in superb condition inside and out, it has also just benefitted from a comprehensive underside preservation treatment and fitted with heavy duty steering arms, a popular upgrade, especially for Land Rover’s fitted with bigger tyres than standard.
Whilst a tribute to the last ever Defender to roll off the production line, this example offers more than just nostalgia, as it has been built with high quality materials to an exceptional standard. With just 44k miles from new, backed up by comprehensive service and MOT records, it is also a fabulous example of this motoring icon, that would not look out of place in either town or country.
The vehicle underwent a full conversion in 2021 by Vitesse Global Limited, specialists in high quality Land Rover Defender bespoke conversions. Each of their conversions are subject to a full mechanical and structural assessment, ahead of any work beginning on the vehicle’s transformation.
The donor vehicle for this Heritage Edition Soft Top tribute, was a 2008 Land Rover Defender 90 3 seat pick up.
It was given a full exterior and interior respray in Grasmere Green metallic, the same as all Heritage Editions and fitted with the same Heritage style front grille. Paintwork is excellent all round, as is the non-body coloured metalwork, with no signs of corrosion typically found on many Land Rovers, even relatively new ones.
The front bumper is a fully galvanised item with plastic end caps. Rivets and spot welds were left in place, as they are a feature of the vehicle’s no-nonsense build and rugged looks. Door, bonnet and wing mirror mountings are painted silver and attractively offset the body colour.
The spare wheel is carried by a heavy duty swing out spare wheel carrier and the car is fitted with Heritage mudguards all round, a tow bar with electrics and both foldable side steps and a rear step, for easier access to the cabin.
Finally, the car is fitted with a brand new full canvas roof, which rolls up at the sides and rear. The car also comes with an additional “Bikini” roof, which covers just the front seats, perfect for summer month outings and which stows neatly behind the front seats in its own, bag when not in use.
The interior is a lovely place to be, having a very definite “Cotswolds” feel. It has been fitted with a bespoke interior, featuring seats trimmed with Cordings of Piccadilly tweed and sage green high quality Italian leather. The central cubby hole between the two front seats is similarly trimmed and both the gear stick, high and low ratio stick and passenger dash mounted grab handle continue the theme, also being finished in the same leather.
The car is highly optioned (for a Defender), with heated, seats, electric windows and leather trimmed steering wheel. In addition, a Sony radio/CD player is fitted with Bluetooth connectivity and separate USB port. All lights, switches and controls work as they should.
In the rear cabin, bench seats in the same trim have been added both sides, albeit, not permanently fitted, so removable and intended for static use only. Perfect for a picnic at the races.
A full roll cage was fitted as part of the conversion for additional safety. In addition, for protection and ease of maintenance, Land Rover heavy duty front floor and rear load area rubber mats have been fitted, which are removable and easy clean.
Finally, the car also comes with a custom fit steel lockable storage chest, which fits the entirety of the rear load area, between the rear wheel arches.
The car is fitted with the Ford Derived 4 cylinder 2.4 TDCI engine, also referred to as the Puma engine. Introduced in 2007, as a replacement for the outgoing Td5 engine, it produced the same peak power of 122 bhp, but with 20% more torque and cleaner emissions. Coupled with the new for 2007 six-speed gearbox, it gives a useful extra ratio and slightly more refined cruising thanks to a geared-up transfer ’box, as compared with the earlier Td5 model. In addition, unlike the 2.2 TDCI engine fitted to Defenders from 2012 onwards, the 2.4 TDCI engine was not fitted with a DPF filter, which can be problematical when the car is driven a lot on short journeys.
The car runs in permanent 4 wheel drive and features both high and low ratio as well as a Diff Lock. Together these provide a set of drive combinations designed to cover most situations, the car is likely to encounter both on or off road. In addition, the car has been fitted with heavy duty steering arms, a popular upgrade for modified Defenders running bigger than standard, wheels and/or tyres.
With just under 44k miles from new the engine runs beautifully, with no smoke either on start up or when running. The service book records 7 service stamps from new, up to 2018. Invoice records also record a full service carried out in 2022 at 39,666 miles and the car will be given a fresh service ahead of sale.
The car sits on 16” body coloured painted steel wheels, with matching 235/85 R16 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R oversize tyres, all with significant tread left. The spare is identical to the driven wheels and is unused. All tyres are dated 2021.
Brakes are discs are fitted all round and operate as they should.
As part of the pre-sales preparation, the entire underside was cleaned down and inspected.
The chassis was found to be free from all but minor surface corrosion in a few places and the bulk head was corrosion free. Any areas of surface corrosion on the chassis or mechanical components, were wire brushed and treated with a rust converter.
Front and rear axles, engine sump cover, chassis, front and rear radius arms, prop shaft, torque converter housing, petrol tank and brake disc covers, were then coated with POR 15 heavy duty anti rust paint. This provides a super hard finish, that chemically bonds with the metal it coats, providing a long lasting and durable protective coating.
In addition, the internal box sections of the chassis were cavity injected with Dinitrol ML cavity wax. Finally, the entire underside and mechanical componentry, including the gearbox and transfer box casings, were painstakingly treated to multiple coatings clear DINITROL automotive rust prevention and corrosion protection wax, with any areas not accessible to coat with a brush, being sprayed with a coating of Lanoguard automotive rust treatment.
As such, the underside preservation treatment provides the car with a comprehensive and exceptionally durable, jet wash proof corrosion protection, even if used all year round or off road, as most Land Rovers find themselves from time to time.
The documented history folder, contains the registration document, which lists the vehicle as having just 2 previous owners. It also contains a clear Total Vehicle Check dated 09/07/2025.
The folder contains every MOT certificate the car has been issued with, since its first, in 2011.
The folder also contains a comprehensive collection of invoices for parts and maintenance, dating from 2010 to 2025 and includes details of the major service carried out in February 2022, at 39,666 miles.
The car comes with its original Land Rover book pack, which comes with several booklets, including the owners hand book and service book which contains, 7 stamps to 2018 and 36,687 miles.
Finally, the vehicle comes with 2 sets of keys.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy of the vehicle descriptions and information, some inaccuracies may occur. It is important that you do not rely on this information but check with Montpellier Motor Cars Limited about any items which may affect your decision to buy this vehicle, as well as examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle. We cannot accept any liability arising from any errors in the data provided.
Whilst every effort is made to represent details accurately on our Web Site, variations or errors may occur and so the information contained herewith does not constitute an offer for sale of any particular vehicle, accessory or specification.
