There’s much hoopla over the Land Rover Defender->ke1858 these days, seeing as the old-school, military-style SUV->ke145 is heading off into the sunset after this model year. Yet another way Land Rover->ke46 is honoring the decades-old vehicle is with this one-off build that not only features unique plaques and adornments, but was also constructed with the help of several British cultural icons, including the adventurer Bear Grylls.

Built during May 2015, the special Defender boasts several key additions. Most noticeable is a strip of bare aluminum on its fender with the topographical map of Red Warf Bay etched on it. The location is widely known as the birthplace of the Land Rover Series vehicles; where its original shape was drawn into the sand in the late 1940s. The topographical map continues inside, where Red Warf Bay is stitched into the leather seats. The exterior also displays a one-off Land Rover badge that reads “No 2,000,000,” signifying its place in Land Rover history.

The special Defender will be publicly debuted June 25, 2015 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed->ke3879 in Chichester, England. It will then travel around Europe making appearances before being put up for auction->ke2845 at the Bonhams auction house in London in December. All the proceeds from the vehicle will be given to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation branches, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Born Free Foundation.

Continue reading for the full story.

Why it matters

The Land Rover Defender is an iconic vehicle, and with the conclusion of its production looming in the near future, folks from around the world want to celebrate the SUV’s contributions to exploration, humanitarian efforts, and military support. This special edition is interesting, thanks to the etched topographical map on its side and the unique badging it wears. Adding to that is the list of folks who helped assemble the No. 2,000,000 Defender on its historic Solihull assembly line.

2013 Land Rover Defender

Read our full review here.