1998 Land Rover Defender 50th Anniversary

Of the 1,071 Defender 50th Anniversary models built, 385 were ear-marked for the home market with the remainder slated for sale in Europe, the Middle East and Japan. Our example is one of the 451 that originally went to Japan to be sold via the Rover dealer network over there. This example, number 223, spent nearly 20 years on the salt-free roads of Japan and benefitting from the more benign climate.

In 2017 it was imported to the UK by the current owner. He had a few acquaintances that had bought 50th Anniversary models from Japan, and as a farmer and Land Rover enthusiast, he let it be known that he may be in the market for a 50th in the UK specified Atlantis Blue. Expecting to hear nothing more, he received a call the following day alerting him of one coming to auction in Japan. The deal was done, and he was soon importing his own Atlantis Blue Defender 50th Anniversary.

As a busy farmer, the vendor confesses that he doesn’t exactly know how far he has travelled in the 50th during his six-year tenure, but suggests it is “not far.” Reference to MoT records confirm that it is about 5,500 kms (about 3,400 miles) in reality. “I love driving it,” he says, “but I just don’t get much time and it is definitely too good to use on the farm!”

As a result, he is now prepared to see it go to only its second UK keeper. “It needs to be used, and apart from the odd blast along country roads and using it for my wedding I am just not doing it justice.”

The vendor was keen to secure a 50th Anniversary in the UK and Europe prescribed shade of Atlantis Blue. This colour is described as a “flip-flop” shade, exhibiting hues of both green and blue depending on the angle of view and the prevailing ambient light conditions. The colour really suits the short wheelbase Defender and seems to lend it an extra level of sophistication. The paintwork is in a very good, and original, condition for a 25-year-old off-roader. The Japanese climate and salt-free road husbandry has clearly benefitted the Defender no end. As the vendor comments, “most UK supplied versions have needed restoring by now.” The bodywork is equally presentable with any “seen from space” jokes at the expense of Land Rover panel gaps clearly not applying in this case.

Unsurprisingly it’s not faultless, however. There is the odd bit surface “reaction” in places plus the odd minor ding and scrape. These have been pictured for your review but seem to be very inconsequential indeed for a Land Rover.

Our example is adorned with all the correct 50th Anniversary refinements and accessories, too. These include the external, black painted, tubular “safari cage” roll over protection for the front cabin. Black painted, stainless steel, tubular side runners are fitted, and the popular “Alpine light” rear roof windows are in evidence. Other 50th Anniversary giveaways include the special numbered rear Land Rover badge, V8 decals and useful rubber mud flaps all round.

This example looks fantastic on non-standard Land Rover 70th Anniversary “sawtooth” alloy wheels. These are finished with matt, diamond cut faces with a gloss black finish to the recessed areas. They present in an excellent condition and really help to add something extra to the, already significant, road presence of the Defender. A matching set of B F Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tyres are fitted. A fifth alloy and tyre are mounted on the rear door.

Those familiar with defenders of this vintage will recognise the interior immediately but will, inevitably, be drawn to the differences in evidence. It is a definite “double take” moment when you notice the chunky automatic gearbox change lever. The 50th Anniversary model was the first Defender outside of the USA to boast a factory fitted automatic gearbox. The other unfamiliar aspect of this interior will likely be the panel of vents affixed to the underside of the familiar dashboard. This is the standard fitment air conditioning unit complete with simple fan and temperature controls.

The rest of the interior is mostly familiar Defender short wheelbase fare. It’s all in great condition, however, and underscores the vendor's confirmation that this example has been no where near real farm work at any point. The grey, self-patterned fabric of the front seats is clean and fresh looking with no rips, tears or stains noted. The big centre console houses a generous storage box and the obligatory cup holders. Another 50th Anniversary numbered plaque is fitted behind the gear selector. The white on black instruments include a speedometer calibrated in kilometres per hour. The odometer reads 106,129 kms which is around 65,900 miles. A small tachometer is also fitted. These sit behind the special black leather steering wheel.

The border between the front and rear cabins is delineated with a foam finished, tubular roll over bar. The rear cabin is fitted with four individual folding seats. These are finished in the same grey fabric as the fronts and appear to be in an equally fine and original condition. Lap belts are fitted to all rear seats. The floor of the rear cabin is finished in grey carpet which appears to have never been too bothered by a muddy boot, let alone a pregnant sheep.

The Defender 50th Anniversary was fitted from the factory with a 4.0L version of the venerable Rover petrol V8 engine. This is a ubiquitous unit in various capacities and that is thanks in part to its reliability and longevity. In this installation the V8 originally produced around 188 bhp and delivered a useful 236 Ib-ft of torque at around 3,000 rpm. This was sufficient to endow the 50th with quite un-Defender like performance including a 0-60 mph time of around 10 seconds. In this special model power is fed to all wheels via a ZF, four-speed automatic gearbox.

The under-bonnet presentation appears to be highly original. On lifting the bonnet your eye is immediately drawn to the “Land Rover 4.0” inscribed alloy intake cover. All the original factory data plates appear to be present and correct. The under-bonnet presentation could, likely, be further improved with a professional clean and detailing.

Whilst in Japan this Defender appears to have been well cared for mechanically by the look of the, admittedly hard to decipher, service history. Owner Rob adds to this that he has found the Defender very reliable in his ownership and that it starts on the button even after quite extended periods of non-use.

The original, Japanese issue book pack is on hand. This includes some service history from its life in Japan but it is hard to decipher what this equates to precisely. UK paperwork includes the required import documents and registration number allocation certificate in the owner’s name.

Other key paperwork includes the current V5 and MoT in hard copy. The latter is advisory free and valid until October 2023. Numerous previous MoTs and a couple of invoices are also present. The special 50th Anniversary leather binder is included, together with two keys and even a 50th Anniversary baseball cap. The owner also notes that the original Tornado alloy wheels are also included in the sale.

Limited Edition Land Rovers are always a sought-after commodity with strictly limited production numbers helping to fuel demand. The 50th Anniversary vehicles, yes there were Range Rover and Discovery versions too, are a particular case in point. UK allocation of the Defender 50th was pegged at well under 400 units making them a rare sight today. This is where Japanese imports make sense. Usually low mileage and considerably better preserved than their UK brothers, they are often the best option when originality is a priority.

This one is a gem. It’s in the UK specified livery and presents in a highly original condition with nothing after-market to detract from this. This example has covered less than 65,000 miles and what is there not to like about a petrol V8 Defender with an automatic gearbox? We think this fine example will sell for £35,000-£45,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in South Molton, Devon. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.