According to the legend, Maurice used to spend all the free time on his farm on Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. Being in dire need of hybrid between cross-country vehicle and a light truck, he bought an American Willys Jeep form army property clearance sale. When old jeep got worn-out, Wilks brothers designed their own, instead of buying a new one.
In the 1960s the demand for the four-wheel drive vehicles significantly increased and Land Rover was at the forefront of new emerging market segment. The company decided to develop a new vehicle that would combine comfort and driving characteristics of a family car with the off-road capabilities Land Rover. The result of their work was Range Rover that was launched into production in 1970, and immediately caused a general admiration. This car was a real breakthrough.
In the mid-80s Land Rover engineers and designers were working on vehicle, intended for a family car market segment. It was decided to use a Range Rover wheel base with a simpler and less expensive body. The result of hard work on the project was the Land Rover Discovery, presented on 16 September 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Discovery was for Land Rover’s pioneer project for a new market segment of all-wheel drive cars.