He Purchased 240 Classic Land Rover Defenders and Transformed Them into a Lucrative Venture | Carscoops

      Charles Fawcett’s bold gamble on the Defender proved successful, as Twisted's remaining six-figure builds signal the conclusion of an exceptional nine-year period.

      Fawcett ordered 240 Defenders when Land Rover discontinued the original model. Currently, Twisted Automotive’s SUVs are priced as high as $433,000 each. The company now has just 21 of the original 240 Defenders left.

      Land Rover’s choice to discontinue the classic Defender not only led to the introduction of the Ineos Grenadier but also created a remarkable investment opportunity for Charles R. Fawcett, the owner of Twisted Automotive.

      Recognizing that the legendary Defender was being phased out in favor of a new model, he took a significant risk by ordering 240 units, confident that he could modify them and resell them at substantial profits.

      A Deal Based on Trust

      Fawcett had a strong rapport with Land Rover when the announcement of the Defender's production cessation was made and was eager to place a large order. Lacking the funds to purchase 240 Defenders outright, he arranged a deal with the automaker to pay upon delivery.

      Moreover, he secured a 14.8 percent discount for the bulk purchase, resulting in a payment of around £22,600 ($30,600) for each vehicle, totaling £5,424,000 ($7.3 million). Ultimately, 239 Defenders were delivered.

      While Twisted could have sold the Defenders in their original state for profit, Fawcett opted for complete customization and upgrades to each vehicle, targeting the growing restomod market.

      Initially, the modified Defenders from Twisted were priced between £70,000 ($95,000) and £90,000 ($122,000), but now, Fawcett states they are typically sold for between £180,000 ($244,000) and £320,000 ($433,000).

      The Twisted Approach

      Fawcett explained to LADbible, “The aspect often overlooked is that we invest 1,500 hours into every single build. That includes 1,500 hours of labor with parts, components, and processes honed over 25 years. It truly reflects an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that justifies the higher price. However, it was still a significant risk. Ultimately, we create something that isn’t essential, but there is tremendous desire for it. Holding this stock of vehicles has allowed the business to thrive over the nine years since production ended, and in that time, we will have grossed well over £50 million.”

      Twisted reports that it now has only 21 or 22 Defenders remaining, with no option for replacement. So, for those interested in acquiring a low-mileage Defender, one of the last produced and extensively modified, it’s advisable to place an order soon.