Land Rover’s ‘Heritage Restoration’ programme was announced today at Solihull as the final Defender drove off the assembly line.

Ten existing Defender engineers, with a combined 172 years experience building Land Rovers, will be accompanied by two others to form an elite team of restoration experts.

Among them will be Tony Martin, a lifelong employee of Solihull with a unique honour – Tony’s father and grandfather both built Land Rovers under the same roof, making his new job the restoration of vehicles that his father and grandfather helped to build. The perfect occupation, right?

The team will be based in Solihull's Block 35 in an area formerly used to install engines in Defenders, their first task being to rebuild early Series Land Rovers for sale.

Tim Hannig, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Heritage, said: ‘Land Rover Heritage will be offering cars, services, parts and experiences for all owners and fans around the world. Our new restoration service and the sale of expertly restored Series I vehicles is just the start of making sure than classic Land Rovers are not only part of our past but part of our future.’

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