Seats are in handwoven tweed. Under the bonnet there's a snarling V8. Land Rover Classic's latest creation seeks to have the best of all worlds. This is one Defender that's very definitely brave of heart and styled to both impress and conquer whatever landscape is in front of you. More than that, this strictly limited edition classic Defender takes Land Rover right back to the very beginning.
Land Rover creator Spencer Wilks was test driving a forerunner of the original Defender, a highly modified yet still sedate Rover 12, on the Hebridean island of Islay when a local asked, "are you driving a Land Rover?", because it seemed to be able to go anywhere. As a plaque inside the Islay Edition recounts wryly: "the name stuck". Wilks's creation for a time conquered the all wheel drive motoring world and the Islay Edition, for those who believe the reinvented Defender is just too sophisticated, shows his original design for the piece of automotive genius that it is.
Available in 90 - Land Rover for short wheelbase - and 110 - long wheelbase - versions, each Defender Islay Edition begins as a classic Defender, restored to better-than-new by Land Rover Classic engineers. Present and correct is super-rugged separate ladder chassis. Exterior paintwork is Heritage Grey. Traditional steel wheels are in Land Rover's Limestone colourway. Discreet lettering to the side - GXC 639C - recalls the registration of Wilks's own 1965 Series II Land Rover as a further homage.
Land Rover Classic Defender Islay Edition: A look inside
Interior is a far cry from the hose-down utilitarian fittings that original Defender owners are all too familiar with. Instead drivers are greeted by high back leather seats. In each there are tasteful tweed inlays designed and woven by the Islay Woollen Mill. Oak veneer features in the load area. Not ideal for your sheep, then. To the centre console is a further Islay reference: a removable tray of whisky barrel oak, from Kilchoman Distillery, itself founded by Spencer Wilks's granddaughter, for further authenticity.
No clattering diesel here. Instead, the rumblings from under the bonnet are from a 5.0 litre V8, with effortless cruising through an eight speed automatic ZF gearbox. Land Rover have, perhaps sensibly, not provided performance figures but we suspect that they are more than adequate, for the Hebrides or indeed literally anywhere else.
The Islay Edition is limited to just 30 examples. Keen on one? You'll need to persuade someone who's already ordered this delectable Landie, because the Islay Edition is, Land Rover say, now sold out. Luckily, the company is still allowing you to specify your own Classic Defender Works V8, as Land Rover call these highly desirable vehicles. Cost? The Islay retailed at a cool £230,000 so best put aside a quarter of a million. Or join us in seeking out an original Defender for everyday use: £15,000 should do it, and you'll still be able to access most of the Scottish islands, roads or no roads.
Next up: Take a look at these classic Landies from Phoenix Restorations.
