Paying Attention: Before the Range Rover became the SUV of choice for the Upper Class, the Land Rover Company–proud parents of the Range Rover–made a living building what is, arguably, the original SUV, the Land Rover Defender. It’s not much to look at, really, lacking none of the sleek design and fancy interior that distinguishes the Range Rover, but instead seems to be e a four wheeled tool, more comfortable at home in jungles, on the Serengetti plain, or crossing a pasture in Scotland than pulling up to the golf club on the weekend. A bit of a hybrid, part Jeep, part tractor, part farm implement, the Land Rover Defender was the model that spread the brand and it’s values across the globe and even though it’s been just about impossible to get one in the United States for about a decade (the usual government red tape things about crash worthiness, emissions and safety standards, etc.) the old boy is still being produced–but not much longer–in the Land Rover factory in Solihull, England. Bloomberg.com did a terrific photographic ode to the last of the breed. It’s well worth your time and it will also take you back to the period when a Land Rover was known more for its ability to cross any terrain than being a upwardly mobile status symbol.
The Fine Print: Image downloaded from flickr, and provided by Land Rover MENA. Taken in October of 2014. Used under Creative Commons License. The image has not been altered.All rights belong to the rights holder. BTW, if you’re not familiar with Creative Commons license, please click the link and get briefed. It’s a very cool program.