April 30 marks the 70th anniversary since the Land Rover Defender debuted at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show and to celebrate an outline of a Defender has been drawn in snow.
THE OUTLINE OF A Land Rover Defender has been drawn into the snow at 2700m in the French Alps to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the reveal of the Defender at the Amsterdam Motor Show. The snow sketch mimics (on a much larger scale) the original sketch of the Defender in the sand of Red Wharf Bay, when Maurice Wilks pitched the idea of the Defender to his brother Spencer Wilks, boss of Rover at the time.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Prof Dr Ralf Speth, said: “Land Rover is an iconic brand around the world and the outline of the Defender is instantly recognisable. To reach the landmark of 70 years is truly special and we will mark it with a year of celebrations that represents Land Rover’s ‘Above and Beyond’ spirit and honours the people behind the world’s favourite SUVs.”
Land Rover commissioned snow artist (who knew this was a job), Simon Beck, who walked 16.5 miles through the snow to create the 250m long sketch. “Making my snow art requires endurance, accuracy and strength – all attributes shared with the Defender. Its iconic shape is so simple and recognised across the world; this must be the most recognisable piece of art I’ve ever made,” Beck said
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kevin Rudd had a hand in this, after all the NBN was formulated on the back of a coaster