Daniel Craig’s old Land Rover is looking for a new home, and it comes with something far more personal than a stack of ownership papers. The 1959 Land Rover 109 Series II pickup, once owned by Craig and his wife Rachel Weisz, is currently being auctioned on Bring a Trailer, complete with a handwritten note from the actor who spent years playing James Bond. The truck may be nearly seven decades old, but its connection to one of Hollywood’s most recognizable Bonds gives this rugged old 4×4 a story of its own.
There is also more to this Land Rover than celebrity provenance. The 2.25-liter inline-four has been given a Carter carburetor and electronic ignition, while its generator and various engine seals have also been replaced. The original Solex carburetor and ignition components come with the sale, giving the next owner the option of keeping the upgrades or returning the truck closer to its original mechanical specification.
Craig and Weisz’s connection to the truck is particularly hard to miss. A note accompanying the sale reads, “This is to say that this beautiful Land Rover Defender was ours. We sell it with great sadness. Please take care of it.” The auction also includes a photograph of Craig as James Bond signed by the actor, along with the vehicle’s paperwork and a Montana title. Craig’s note calls the truck a Defender, although its proper historical designation is a 1959 Land Rover 109 Series II.
The Land Rover itself is an appealing piece of old-school off-road machinery. It has been repainted in Bronze Green and rides on 16-inch three-piece steel wheels wrapped in Cooper Discoverer STT tires. A fifth tire sits on the hood, while a rope winch, side steps, fender-mounted mirrors and an Exmoor Trim canvas bed cover add to its expedition-ready appearance. Its 109-inch wheelbase gives the pickup its long, practical proportions.
Inside, there are three individual front seats upholstered in tan vinyl, each fitted with an outboard three-point seat belt. A three-spoke banjo-style steering wheel sits ahead of a dashboard equipped with Jaeger instruments, including a 75-mph speedometer, fuel gauge and ammeter. The truck also has a RoverDrive overdrive system and rebuilt leaf springs, adding a few useful touches to its vintage mechanical character.
Power comes from the aforementioned four-cylinder, originally rated at 77 horsepower and 124 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case send that modest output to all four wheels. The odometer shows 3,800 miles, but the figure is known to be inaccurate, so the Land Rover’s true mileage remains unknown.
Now, the interesting part is what buyers are willing to pay for all of it. The Bring a Trailer auction currently sits at $22,500 with only two days left. For that money, the eventual winner won’t just get a classic 4×4 with a winch and a famously capable drivetrain. They’ll get a piece of Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz’s automotive history, complete with a handwritten plea from Craig himself that reads: take care of it.
