The first Land Rover Series model went on show in Amsterdam in 1948 with an 80-inch wheelbase and a 50-horsepower engine. Over the next four decades, that farm tool grew into the Defender. Seven models carry the line from one to the other.

Each step kept the boxy shape, but it changed what sat underneath. Below, they appear in order, along with the dates and figures from Land Rover’s own history.

1. 1948 Land Rover Series I

The story starts on a beach. Maurice Wilks sketched the first boxy design in the sand of Red Wharf Bay, according to Hagerty. In fact, wartime Jeeps reportedly inspired it. Because steel was short after the war, the body used Birmabright aluminum alloy, ITV News reported.

The production model launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show on April 30, 1948. Land Rover’s history lists an 80-inch wheelbase and a 50bhp, 1,595cc petrol engine from the Rover P3. It cost £450. By 1949, production had reached 8,000, and the British Army ordered a first trial batch.

2. 1958 Land Rover Series II

Ten years on, the Series II brought the first real styling change. Land Rover says it added deep side sills and rounded shoulders. Hagerty, likewise, points to its curved body sides. Under the hood sat a new two-and-a-quarter-litre petrol engine.

By then the wheelbases had already grown. In 1957, Land Rover stretched them to 88 inches and 109 inches, according to its timeline. That same year, it also offered a 52bhp, 2,052cc diesel for the first time. Those two lengths carried the trucks through the next two decades.

3. 1961 Land Rover Series IIA

The Series IIA arrived in 1961 with a larger diesel. Land Rover lists it at 62bhp from 2,286cc. Hagerty also dates the IIA and its new 2.25-litre diesel to 1961.

This was the generation that made the numbers big. In 1966, Land Rover built its 500,000th vehicle, the maker’s history says. Then, in 1969, the headlamps moved outboard onto the front wings. That change gave later IIA trucks a different face from the earlier ones.

4. 1971 Land Rover Series III

The Series III launched in October 1971. According to Land Rover, it brought a plastic grille, flatter door hinges and a full-width dashboard. Hagerty adds mechanical upgrades, including synchros and an alternator. That same year, the 750,000th Land Rover was built.

The Series III also crossed a bigger line. In 1976, Land Rover built its 1,000,000th vehicle. Later, in 1979, the 109-inch model gained a 3,528cc V8 option with permanent four-wheel drive, the maker’s timeline says.

5. 1983 Land Rover One Ten

The One Ten replaced the Series III 109-inch in 1983. As the name suggests, it rode on a 110-inch wheelbase. More importantly, coil springs replaced the old leaf springs, according to Land Rover. That ended the leaf-spring era that ran through every Series truck.

At the same time, the look changed. Land Rover lists a full-width black plastic grille and wheelarch lips. Then, in January 1984, a 2,495cc diesel replaced the 2,286cc diesel. Hagerty also dates the coil-sprung 90/110 family to 1983.

6. 1984 Land Rover Ninety

A year later, a short-wheelbase partner followed in 1984. Land Rover called it the Ninety, though its wheelbase was closer to 93 inches, the maker notes. At launch it came with four-cylinder engines only.

More power came soon after. In March 1985, the V8 became available in the Ninety, Land Rover says. That year, a 2,495cc petrol also replaced the 2,286cc engine. Finally, in 1986, an 85bhp, 2,495cc turbo-diesel joined the range.

7. 1990 Land Rover Defender

The Defender name arrived in 1990. Land Rover renamed the Ninety and One Ten as the Defender 90, 110 and 130. They launched with the 107bhp, 2,495cc 200Tdi turbo-diesel. Hagerty also dates the Defender name to 1990.

The engines kept changing after that. A 111bhp 300Tdi replaced the 200Tdi in 1994, and a 122bhp five-cylinder Td5 became standard in December 1998. In 2007, a 122bhp four-cylinder diesel arrived with a six-speed gearbox, the maker’s history says. Finally, the last Defender rolled off the line in Solihull on January 29, 2016, as ITV News reported.

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This article was created with the help of AI and was reviewed and edited by Fast Lane Only editors before publication.