The last Land Rover Defenders roll off the production line at the end of January, and although this signals the end of production of this iconic utility vehicle, it’s far from the end for local dealership Mylchreests, which sold its first Land Rover in 1969 and has held the franchise ever since.

“We’re delighted to be associated with the ‘End of the Defender’ event at the Isle of Man Motor Museum on 31 January,” says David Mylchreest, Chairman of the Mylchreests Group, “but although this is definitely the end of an era there is so much more to look forward to.”

David followed his grandfather and father into the motor trade and is delighted that his son James, who jointly manages the Douglas-based company with him, is taking the family business on into the future.

The Mylchreests Group was established in 1961, and now enjoys relationships with the Land Rover, Jaguar, Vauxhall, Mitsubishi and MG brands at its New Castletown Road premises. Sales across the ranges are positive, and having seen the launch of the award winning Vauxhall Astra and the Mitsubishi L200 Pick-Up last year, Mylchreests is looking forward to a variety of new models in the future, including the all-new MG GS Sports Utility Vehicle, the new Mitsubishi ASX, the new Vauxhall Insignia and the 5th generation Discovery.

In the meantime, ‘Landy’ lovers should head to the Isle of Man Motor Museum on Sunday 31 January where Denis and Darren Cunningham, and local Defender enthusiast Ray Procter, have put together a wide range of activities to test the skills of Defender drivers, plus challenges, demonstrations and prizes for the oldest and best looking vehicles. The Museum itself will host an indoor display of Defenders old and new, including two of the very last models off the production line.

“There are a large number of Defender drivers, and Defender lovers, in the Isle of Man,” continues David, “but these vehicles don’t now meet the latest EU standards so, for the moment, it’s the end of the Defender we know and love. Of course it’s sad, but they were built to last and it will be a long, long time before the only Defenders you see will be in museums.”

And if you can wait a couple of years, there is talk of a new Defender which will meet the new standards but still keep ‘Landy’ lovers happy.

“Land Rover is certainly working on the design of a new utility vehicle,” says David, “and although it won’t be quite the same as the old Defender, I can’t wait for the launch, whenever it is!”

Photo - David and James Mylchreest with the Land Rover Limited Edition Defender 90 Adventure at the company’s premises in Douglas (photo credit: Steve Babb, Babb Photography).