In 1983, Land rover introduced the Land Rover Defender as a separate model line, differentiating it from the other models in the series. The Defender was based on the existing Series III Land Rover but featured significant upgrades and modernizations to improve its performance, comfort, and safety.
The Defender became known for its iconic and utilitarian design, with a robust body-on-frame construction, full-time four-wheel drive system, and solid axles. It was available in various wheelbase lengths and could be configured for various purposes, such as utility work, farming, exploration, and more.