Rover was a British company that in 1885 had developed its Rover Safety Bicycle, a template for the modern bike. Most cycles until then were either penny-farthings – which were relatively dangerous – or high-wheel tricycles. But in the middle of that decade the Rover Safety Bicycle went into production, revolutionizing this mode of transport – it was a rear-wheel-drive, chain-driven cycle with two similar-sized wheels.

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It ‘set the pattern to the world,’ said Cycling Magazine and is recognized as the first recognizably modern bicycle. So ubiquitous was the company’s products that in Poland the word ‘rower’ and ‘rovar’ in Belarusian are the words for ‘bicycle’, derived of course from Rover; in Western Ukraine the word ‘rover’ is also employed for ‘bicycle’.

Rather in contrast to the upmarket cars that were the specialty of Rover, Maurice Wilks, who was Rover’s chief designer, soon came up with a plan to produce a light agricultural and utility vehicle, of a similar concept to the Willys Jeep used in the war. But with an emphasis on agricultural use.

And as a result the 1950s and 1960s were fruitful years for the company. The Land Rover was the company’s biggest seller for the next three decades.

Production of the model now known as the Defender began in 1983 as the Land Rover 110, a name which reflected the 110-inch (2,800 mm) length of the wheelbase. The Land Rover 90, with 93-inch (2,362 mm) wheelbase, and Land Rover 127, with 127-inch (3,226 mm) wheelbase, soon followed.

The Discovery also had a new turbodiesel engine, the 200TDi. This was also loosely based on the existing 2.5-liter turbo unit, and was built on the same production line, but had a modern alloy cylinder head, improved turbocharging, intercooling and direct injection.

This engine finally allowed the Defender to cruise comfortably at high speeds, as well as tow heavy loads speedily on hills while still being economical.

These were such great vehicles. And we are very happy to have one right now at Beverly Hills Car Club, a 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 NAS featured with 99,203 miles on the odometer and finished in Alpine White combined with a Black interior. Equipped with an automatic transmission, 4.0-liter V8 engine, four-wheel-drive system, four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, sunroof, two-spoke steering wheel, BFGoodrich tires, steel bumpers, aluminum fender panels, and a full-size spare tire. Amenities include air conditioning, manual-crank windows, center console, a roof rack, cup holders, and in the cargo area you will find seats for extra capacity.

1997 Defender 90s are easy to spot if you get a look inside. They all have automatic gearboxes and they have a large plastic console that is between the seats that holds the radio and gearshift lever. The interior fabric is also different on the 1997 models. Outwardly they share the same features as the 1995 Defender.

And there really is nothing like a Land Rover. Plenty of SUV-type vehicles have endeavored to emulate what is essentially the original of the form – the Jeep is a separate trip altogether. But they really don’t come a patch on the absolute archetype.

And just think: it all started with being logical in the development of the bicycle.

-Alex Manos, Owner