Festive feast of Land Rovers up for auction this week

Bid on Land Rover movie star cars

Collecting Cars is currently celebrating all things Land Rover, with a selection of the British marque’s finest currently up for online auction.

With more than 40 Land Rovers available, we have hand-picked some of the most intriguing vehicles on offer.

The Land Rover Collection will be open for bids until 8 December 2024, so there is still time to bag yourself an early Christmas present.

1994 Land Rover Defender 90 SV

We start with the very first special edition of the Defender ever made, as Land Rover attempted to cash in on the burgeoning lifestyle 4×4 market.

Launched in 1992, the Defender SV now looks wonderfully of its time, with bright Caprice Blue paintwork, a roll-up fabric roof and an external roll cage.

A set of 16-inch alloy wheels ensured the 90 SV stood out from utilitarian Land Rovers of the day. It helped prove that the Defender could also be an upmarket SUV.

1994 Land Rover Defender 90 SV

Land Rover only produced 90 examples of the SV over a period of two years. All were powered by the 2.5-litre 200 TDI engine, combined with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Of those 90 cars, just 25 are believed to still exist. This example had covered 173,000 miles before being treated to a comprehensive restoration.

Since the work was completed, the 90 SV has not been driven, leaving it ready for a new owner.

2011 Land Rover Defender 110 SVX Spectre

Perhaps the biggest star of the Land Rover Collection is this Defender 110 SVX, which appeared in two James Bond movies.

Originally used for the 2012 film Skyfall, the Defender played another on-screen part in 2015’s Spectre.

It was comprehensively modified for Spectre by Land Rover’s SVO department, including a complete respray in Santorini Black. Both internal and external roll cages were installed, along with Recaro seats and a Warn front winch.

2011 Land Rover Defender 110 SVX Spectre

The Land Rover SVO team also gave the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine upgrades supplied by Bowler, along with a set of beadlock alloy wheels wearing 37-inch all-terrain tyres.

A small dent on the front of the Defender was said to have occurred during filming, while damage to the tailgate was repaired after its time on screen.

Accompanying paperwork supports this special Land Rover’s movie provenance.

2002 Land Rover Defender 90 Tomb Raider

A decade before the Defender made its appearance in James Bond movies, it took a leading role in the 2001 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider film, starring Angelina Jolie.

Land Rover released limited edition Tomb Raider versions of both the Defender 90 and 110. All 250 examples of the short-wheelbase 90 were finished in Bonatti Grey, with exterior chequer plating and 16-inch ‘Boost’ alloy wheels.

An exterior roll cage, combined with a roof rack and extra lighting, made the Defender ready for, er, raiding tombs.

2002 Land Rover Defender 90 Tomb Raider

Located in France, this Defender 90 Tomb Raider has received more than €30,000 (£25,000) of work since 2016.

This included a new spare wheel carrier, replacement central locking and a service for the 2.5-litre diesel engine. The five-cylinder TD5 has previously been remapped to offer more performance.

2014 Land Rover Defender 90 Works 70th Edition

How do you celebrate the 70th anniversary of an iconic 4×4? With a V8-powered restomod, of course. Commemorating seven decades of Land Rover Series models and the Defender, the Works 70th Edition was launched in 2018.

JLR Classic Works hand-picked 150 existing Defenders, before restoring and converting them to 70th Edition specification. The crowning glory was, of course, the 5.0-litre V8 engine, producing a thumping 400hp.

That power goes to all four wheels via a modern eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

2014 Land Rover Defender 90 Works 70th Edition

Other features fitted for the 70th Edition makeover included LED headlights, satellite navigation and Recaro sports seats upholstered in leather. Aluminium door handles and 18-inch ‘Sawtooth’ alloy wheels were included as well.

Painted in Santorini Black, this example comes with its certificate of authenticity, showing it to be one of the 150 V8 models made.

2015 Land Rover Defender 90 by Twisted

North Yorkshire’s Twisted Automotive is one of the world’s leading Defender modifiers, producing bespoke examples with a wide range of powertrains. The options available from Twisted stretch as far as your imagination, or your budget, will allow.

This 2015 Defender 90 features a standard 2.2-litre diesel engine, but has various Twisted upgrades inside and out.

A Twisted galvanised front bumper with LED lights, powder-coated steering guard, Twisted decals and a new front grille are part of the exterior makeover.

2015 Land Rover Defender 90 by Twisted

The interior upgrades are more dramatic, including a pair of Recaro sports seats. Not only are these heated, but they are trimmed in two-tone red and black leather.

The leather continues throughout the cabin, covering the central armrest and storage cubby. Twisted has also fitted a new steering wheel, along with branded instrument gauges.

2016 Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage

For Defender collectors, the Heritage models are hugely desirable, as they represented the end of the line after seven decades of production.

Land Rover made only 400 Heritage editions, allowing buyers to choose between 90 or 110 body styles. All came in retro Grasmere Green, combined with an Alaska White roof.

Body-coloured steel wheels were standard, as was a ‘HUE 166’ decal, referencing the registration number of the very first production Land Rover from 1947.

2016 Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage

The owner of this Defender 110 Heritage bought it with a plan of keeping it for their daughter’s wedding day. This saw it dry-stored from 2016 until August 2024, when it finally got the chance to star on her big day.

As a result, the odometer shows just 695 miles, meaning it is barely run-in. A change in circumstances has led to the family opting to sell the desirable Defender, which is likely to receive plenty of attention from bidders.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 V8 Bond Edition

The arrival of a new Land Rover Defender did not diminish the model’s association with James Bond films.

To celebrate the 25th Bond movie, No Time to Die, Land Rover launched a limited run of 300 special edition Defenders.

Styled after the vehicle used in the film, the Bond Edition packs a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine, producing 525hp and 461lb ft of torque. This allows for 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds.

2021 Land Rover Defender 90 V8 Bond Edition

All Bond Edition Defenders came with an Extended Black Package for the exterior, along with a set of 22-inch gloss black alloy wheels.

Special ‘007’ badges, along with a SV Bespoke ‘One of 300’ build plaque, ensured the Bond Edition stood out from regular Defenders.

First registered in Romania, this particular left-hand-drive car is now located in Denmark.

1983 Land Rover 101 Forward Control

Not every model in the Collecting Cars Land Rover Collection is a Defender, as this rare 101 Forward Control proves.

This particular Land Rover is being sold as a charity auction, with 100 percent of the sale proceeds (and buyer’s fees) being donated to Help for Heroes.

1983 Land Rover 101 Forward Control

Around 250 ambulance versions of the 101 Forward Control were built by Land Rover for the British Army. This one still retains many of its original features, such as working sirens and flashing lights, plus stretchers and other equipment inside.

The 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine now exhales through a stainless steel exhaust system, while recent maintenance has included new tyres fitted to the heavy-duty steel wheels.

Although not in concours condition, the Forward Control could be a usable weekend classic.

1991 Range Rover Classic CSK

For a more luxurious alternative, this limited edition Range Rover Classic will appeal to collectors. Named after Charles ‘Spen’ King, the designer of the original Range Rover, the CSK was designed to be sportier and more opulent.

Its 3.9-litre V8 engine was tuned to deliver 185hp. A top speed of 114mph made this the fastest production Range Rover to date when launched.

A special front splitter was unique to the CSK, while Land Rover also upgraded the suspension to improve on-road performance.

1991 Range Rover Classic CSK

All of the 200 CSK models came painted in Beluga Black, with the interior swathed in sumptuous Sorrel leather. American walnut trim was used for the dashboard, door cards and centre console.

Equipped with an automatic transmission, this is said to be CSK number 59. Part of a car collection for the past five years, it has covered just under 54,000 miles.

2011 Land Rover Discovery 4 5.0 V8

With increasing electrification, the number of SUVs powered by big engines is becoming slimmer by the day. However, this Discovery 4 presents the chance to indulge in some V8 motoring.

Beneath its bonnet is a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8, generating 375hp and 376lb ft of torque. This is combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox for an effortless driving experience.

2011 Land Rover Discovery 4 5.0 V8

Land Rover did not sell the Discovery 4 in the UK with the 5.0-litre engine; this example was imported from Japan earlier in 2024. Galway Green paintwork and tan leather upholstery make for a timeless combination, complemented by the wood interior trim.

Having covered around 56,000 miles, the Discovery 4 comes complete with its Japanese service records, plus its original handbooks.