Man who bought 240 Land Rover Defenders in 2015 reveals how much money he's made with just 25 left
Published on Sep 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Sep 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Charles Fawcett bought 240 Land Rover Defenders in 2015, turning them into a car investment for his company, Twisted Automotive, which has become one of the most striking in the automotive world.
The Defender had just been discontinued after nearly 70 years of production.
Charles Fawcett paid more than £8 million for the fleet, using loans to make the deal possible.
Ten years later, he has only 25 Land Rover Defenders left, and their journey has defined the direction of Twisted.
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The gamble behind the Land Rover Defenders
The Land Rover Defenders became central to Twisted, Charles Fawcett’s company in North Yorkshire.
Each vehicle was dismantled and rebuilt with modifications ranging from engines to interiors.
The plan was to transform a utility model into a collectible asset.
At the time of purchase, the cars cost an average of £22,600 each.
Early resale prices ranged from £70,000 to £90,000.
Today, Twisted sells them for between £180,000 and £320,000.
Sales over the last decade have exceeded £50 million.
Financing the bulk order created immediate strain.
To keep up with repayments, he had to build and sell six cars a month in the first year.
The approach worked, with buyers including collectors and celebrities, although Charles Fawcett has not named them publicly.
He later admitted the risks involved.
Land Rover was reluctant to sell so many cars to a single buyer, and many believed the market would not support such high rebuild costs.
Demand proved otherwise, and the Defender’s reputation gave the project momentum.
What happens to the last 25
Only 25 Land Rover Defenders remain from the 240 bought in 2015.
Charles Fawcett will keep some for himself and sell the others.
The rarity of the vehicles means they are expected to reach higher prices than before.
Twisted is also developing a build that could reach £500,000 in value.
The project is intended to test how far the Defender can be pushed while keeping its original character.
Land Rover has since released a new generation of the Defender, but the originals that Charles Fawcett secured have maintained strong demand.
Their age, limited supply, and extensive rebuilds continue to attract buyers.
For Charles Fawcett, the purchase of 240 Land Rover Defenders remains a defining car investment that established Twisted in the automotive market.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
