The record
Unveiled by Land Rover Classic in 2024 and reported by PistonHeads, the Defender Works V8 Churchill Edition marks the 1954 Series I 80-inch, UKE 80, presented to Sir Winston Churchill on his 80th birthday and kept at Chartwell. Ten commissions were offered on 2012–2016 Defender 90 and 110 donors, each rebuilt to Works V8 specification with the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 (405 bhp), ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, uprated brakes and suspension. The bodywork is finished in Bronze Green matched to the original car, with body-colour wheel arches and roof, heavy-duty steel wheels in the same green, a Series-inspired front end with a wire mesh grille and black lamp panels, galvanised waist cappings and hinges, a galvanised front bumper lettered CLASSIC, UKE 80 wing plates and an interior with a dashboard clock inspired by Churchill's favoured Pol Roger champagne.
The registry's model is the 110 station wagon form of the edition with the mesh grille front, galvanised bumper and cappings, UKE 80 plates, alpine lights, steps and mud flaps.
