Four of the best modern Land Rover Defender special editions 

Land Rover has been around the block a few times. In fact, it's been circling it non-stop since it first showed the Series I Land Rover in 1948. As a nameplate, the Defender took on the patrol in the early 1980s. And at a number of points throughout that 4X4's history, the brand itself or third-party builders have added to it, building it out in special-edition form to mark important occasions, or just because. 

There have been dozens of special edition Defenders over the years. Here are a few of our favourites from recent memory. 

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Land Rover 75th-Anniversary Defender

This past September, Land Rover announced that it would mark its three-quarters of a century of business with a 75th-anniversary Defender. Available in two- and four-door configurations (90 and 110), the Defender 75th Limited Edition features heritage detailing like the rare Grasmere Green paint on the exterior and inside, and will be fitted with a 395-horsepower P400 Ingenium gas engine with mild hybrid assist. Other standard features include a Folding Fabric Roof, 14-way front heated electric memory seats, a heated steering wheel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen.
 

Land Rover Defender SVX Spectre

Land Rover's ongoing relationship with the 007 film franchise has produced some impressive scenes and a number of rare collectibles too. For the 2015 James Bond film Spectre starring Daniel Craig, Land Rover and Bowler Motorsport (now owned by LR) built a total of 10 special Defenders to give chase over rough and snowy terrain. 

For the stunts, some of which you can watch here, Bowler fitted the long-wheelbase Defender SVX Spectre with a hydraulic hand brake with corresponding manual lever, a roll cage, upgraded suspension, and 37-inch tires. 

A number of the movie Defenders have since crossed the auction block, including one moved by RM Sotheby's in 2017 for £230,000 ($370,500). 

Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy

The Classic division at Land Rover gave new life to the last-gen Defender, which was at its time the last and remains one of the most popular with aftermarket builders, and converted 25 models into a Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy. 

The 2021 Works V8 Trophy was finished in another historic Land Rover colour, Eastnor Yellow, and fitted with a 405PS (400 hp) 5.0-litre V8 engine. Behind the heavy-duty 16-inch wheels -- also in the special yellow colour -- there are upgraded brakes and suspension, and a handling kit. The build also features a roll cage, spotlights, winch, and a Black Windsor leather interior with yellow contrast stitching. More details on LandRover.com. 

Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition

Just 400 Land Rover Defender Heritage Editions were built to mark the (former) end of the nameplate back in 2016, before the Defender name was resurrected in 2020. The brand also made a number of Autobiography and Adventure editions that year, but the Heritage sticks out for its finish in the aforementioned Grasmere Green and its white contrasting roof, heritage grille, and HUE 166 graphics, a nod to the very first pre-production Rover known as 'Huey'.