James Bond-chasing Land Rover Defender heading for auction

A Defender 110 that starred in the 2015 James Bond movie “Spectre” will be heading to auction on May 23 and fans of the iconic spy along with Land Rover enthusiasts will be keen to add it to their collection.

The online sale has been organized by England-based Silverstone Auctions and there will be plenty of takers for the pickup which featured in a snowy-turned-fiery car chase in the film.

10 Defenders were used in the filming of the movie three of which were destroyed. There's no pre-auction estimate but we expect the winning bidder will need to sign a check with at least six digits on it. Any item related to James Bond (whether it's a gun, a tie, or a car) is sought-after and Defender values have sky-rocketed in recent years.

Nick Whale, Silverstone's managing director, reminded bidders that the Defender will need to be registered before it's driven on a public road in England or abroad.

A stock Defender 110 wouldn't have cut it, so tuner and race car builder Bowler - which Land Rover purchased in 2019 - installed 37in tyres, a firmer suspension,

The interior features a hydraulic hand brake controlled via a giant lever and a heavy-duty roll cage.

Its 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel was tuned to increase output which went from 122 to 180 horsepower. The Defender has entered its second generation, but Land Rover has not renewed the 110 pickup body style.