I’ll admit that I do not know much about Land Rovers other than what I’ve seen on the road and on TV. I have the impression that they are rugged, well built, and good for off road adventures. And while I am impressed with how the larger Defender 90 (set # 10317) looks, I like the size of this vehicle because it fits well with the A-Frame Cabin (#21338) set and is closer to minifig scale. Building vehicles with 150 pieces such as this one usually does not take very long, but they are cool looking and add some nice variety to a LEGO display.
The LEGO website mentions that this is the 75th anniversary of the Land Rover Series 1. They also say this mini version pairs well with the larger Defender, “so adults and children can play with their models together.” I guess I am the child in this scenario, but I’m okay with that!
I noted a couple of things while building this version of the Defender. One is the spacious back seat area, good for minifig traveling buddies or cargo. Another is that in step 30 in the instructions, a window frame piece is placed in the middle of the truck. This serves well as a roll bar that off road vehicles are often equipped with.
The front end of the vehicle uses very simple round clear smooth studs for the headlights. Easy and effective. One sticker was included to represent the front grill and has the green Land Rover logo in it. It gives a very nice look.
The construction of the back side windows used a sideways technique that I have been seeing more and more, especially when building modular sets. It allows for pieces to be used in ways and at angles not necessarily obvious when first considered.
There is a full-size fifth wheel and tire included to attach to the back for the spare tire. This is a very good idea for anyone taking their vehicle off road as you never know when that can be needed. The top of this Land Rover has a simple roof rack for attaching gear for your travels. You can easily remove the top for access to the interior and for placing the included minifig in the driver’s seat. The minifig is a female with reddish brown hair, wearing a shirt with a yellow pineapple print to match the Defender exterior color.
Kids and adults alike can enjoy building and using the Land Rover Classic Defender in their playtime or displays. While maybe not as rugged as the real life version, it gives the impression that it can handle off road adventures for years to come.
