Highlights

• One of 70 Defender SVX soft-tops
• £5,000 spent on the car in 2022
• Long MOT – until December 2023

The Appeal

The Land Rover Defender, with all of its forty-odd years of history, has become a staple of the British motor industry. One might even consider it an institution. The boxy, rugged shape along with the car’s capable off-road abilities mean it is adored by country folk and city slickers alike. In 2008, Land Rover launched a special edition of the Defender, dubbed the SVX, to celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary.

While 1,800 were sold worldwide, just 300 remained in the UK with just 70 of those being built as soft-top short wheelbase models. Despite showing signs of wear, this particular model, number 266, has recently undergone an extensive mechanical rejuvenation project. Completed in July of 2022, the work came out to a total of £5,000. It is a fully original model perfect for Land Rover enthusiasts in search of a piece of the brand’s history.

History and Paperwork

• Special SVX edition commemorating 60 years of Land Rover
• One of 70 SVX Defender 90 soft-tops
• First registered in 2009
• 3 owners from new
• Bought by current owner in 2011 with 30,000 miles on the clock
• Regularly used for around 4 years
• Casual use since then
• Some off-road use at times
• Odometer now reads 122,675
• Always stored under cover
• £5,000 spent in July 2022
• Work carried out by reputable garage, Strathearn Engineering
• MOT until December 2023
• File of paperwork includes invoice and MOT certificate and V5c

The Interior

• Sporty, heated Recaro seats
• Roll cage finished in silver included in SVX additions
• Fully original

Inside this 2009 Land Rover Defender SVX are plenty of unique additions showing the car’s distinctiveness. As you step in to the driver’s seat, you’ll spot the special SVX numbered plaque informing you of it being number 266 out of the 1,800 total cars made. From the sporty Recaro seat, glimpses of the silver roll cage will also give you a sense of the car’s unique characteristics. A fully original interior having lived through over 120,000 miles of use, this cabin is in fair condition.

The seats look good for the most part, the centre console controls all seem clear and visible and the instrument cluster looks great. However, the driver’s side door card is showing some scuff marks. Behind the cabin, a sizeable storage bay holds a large spare wheel. The whole thing is covered by the functional soft-top, while it seems some corrosion may be rearing its head on the soft-top support struts.

The Exterior

• Many 60th anniversary decals
• Rugged soft-top shape looks brilliant
• Clear LED lights all round, part of SVX package

From the outside, the Defender SVX was conceived to pass through a crowd unnoticed. In fact, it is difficult to spot the special edition car in a group of standard models. Only those in the know will ever pick up on this rare vehicle thanks to its matte black 60th anniversary decals, silver grille and roll cage as well as the clear light covers. Underneath, the car looks clean, bar the odd spot of surface corrosion. Reportedly, it has recently been undersealed ensuring its good condition. The wheels too look to be in good shape and feature large, Grabber At3 off-road tyres.

Overall, it is clear this car has been ‘well used’ as the current owner puts it. Corrosion features prominently on the front bumper and there are several imperfections throughout the body work. Though as one can see from the front under shield and robust tyres, this is a model designed for off-road use. This particular example has clearly fulfilled its purpose on multiple occasions.

The Mechanics

• 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, 120hp
• Six-speed manual transmission with transfer case
• Recent mechanical work exceeding £5,000 in total

Under the bonnet is a modest 2.4-litre Ford Duratorq diesel engine. This four-cylinder is good for around 120hp and 276 lb.ft of torque. This is connected to the Defender’s top-of-the-range six-speed manual transmission featuring a dual-transfer case. In July 2022, over £5,000 was spent on the car. Bringing it up to health, the owner informs us the work was predominantly on the vehicle’s mechanics. As such, it now drives well and runs as it should. Furthermore, there shouldn’t supposedly be any faults with the vehicle.

Summary