Land Rover Classic has begun the assembly of a one-off Land Rover Defender with a dramatic entrance at Selfridges in London, entering the famous London department store through a first-floor window. The unique Selfridges Edition Defender Works V8 will form the centrepiece of the new-look menswear department at the flagship Oxford Street store, but not before technicians from Land Rover Classic reassemble the vehicle in full view of shoppers. To fit through the first-floor window, the specially-commissioned Defender was dismantled before being rebuilt by a team of experts over the following four days. Put under a protective cover while Selfridges puts the finishing touches to its new menswear department, it will be revealed as part of the official opening on October 29.
The Selfridges Edition vehicle began life as a 2016 Defender 110 Pick Up, but the Land Rover Classic team have turned it into a 110 Soft Top, complete with a branded hood in trademark Selfridges yellow. The bodywork is finished in contrasting Bronze Green, with a heritage-style folding windscreen and half-height doors completing the open-air look.
The chassis and powertrain features upgrades introduced on the Defender Works V8 – 70th Edition, which was announced in January to celebrate Land Rover’s platinum anniversary year and is the fastest and most powerful Defender model ever produced. That means it gets the same V8 motor producing 380lb.ft of torque and over 400bhp, plus an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, uprated brakes and tweaked suspension.
Inside, the car will boast a special Jaguar Land Rover Classic head unit, which combines retro looks with satellite navigation, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity. It will also feature period-style seats trimmed in chocolate leather with ivory cross-stitching.
Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, Tim Hannig, said: “Our skilled engineers and craftsmen can tailor vehicles to meet any request, from applying unique paintwork or interior trim to delivering far-reaching mechanical enhancements. The Selfridges Edition shows what can be achieved and we can’t wait to see it take pride of place in the famous department store.”
Bespoke Defender chassis is lowered down after entering through a first floor window.
