MONTHS after the last model of Land Rover’s venerable Defender was produced, it could be making a comeback under new ownership.

According to The Sunday Times, the billionaire chemical tycoon Jim Ratcliffe has held talks with Jaguar Land Rover with a plan to bring the historic four-wheel drive vehicle back into production.

Manchester-born chemical engineer Ratcliffe founded the multinational chemicals business Ineos in 1998 and is ranked by the Sunday Times amongst the richest Britons. He was reportedly a buyer of one of the last Defenders ever made.

While a new model is due from JLR in the next couple of years, Ratcliffe’s interests are a resurrection of the previous car – to be built in the UK, despite his own Swiss residency.

It’s not clear whether he’s aiming to fund a production line or buy the intellectual property himself.

MORE: Ruf Automobile gains an official presence in the UK

MORE: SsangYong and Infiniti UK sign up to Motor Codes’ New Car Code of Practice

MORE: Plate-change months ‘lead to a 10-week spike in activity for dealers’

On SuperUnleaded.com: Dazed And Confused… Learner Biker Walks Away After Crashing Into Car