Quote History Quoted:Danish Army used the Land Rover Series III for many years - which I believe was the precursor to the Defender. I really liked them.
Sure, they paled in comparison to the Mercedes Gelaendewagens we had, but were also MUCH cheaper. That's the whole point - a Defender is supposed to be a relatively inexpensive, but capable and rugged off-road vehicle.
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The Mil stuff the Danes had were a bit different than the commercial offerings but underpinnings were basically the same.
Attached FileYou can always tell Danish LW from the rear windowed canopy and rack.
I've got an old BAOR 109 from the same period.
"Defender" improvement was always evolutionary - more occasional model changes than entirely new vehicles. When the 110 and 90 arrived in '83/'84 they were basically an evolution from Series III Stage I. Hell for 50 years the trucks were named by engineering model and wheelbase.
In '90 Brit Aero got serious about branding and coined Defender. Once BMW got involved in 94, the Defenders became ever more posh - but that basically was additional interior fitments, the underpinnings remained. Like the Beetle, When something remains relatively unchanged for 50 years it develops a following; not necessarily a rational one.
Which is why many - like Ratcliffe - were disappointed then incensed with JLR. So now JLR has a pretty serious competitor - and more true to the uses Rovers have seen than the L663.
W460 Gwagens are awesome - until the unfortunately not uncommon short interval wheel bearing failure happens. Check often and keep bearings on the truck and you'll be fine. But failures horrendous and field replacement sucks.