Ceremonial Land Rover Series II used by the Queen for sale at auction
Since the preparations for the coronation of King Charles III. Already in full swing next month, classic car collectors have the chance to get their hands on a very special vehicle that came into their hands during the reign of his month, the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II some 46 years ago .
The engine is a 1968 Land Rover Series IIA 109 4X4 converted into a ‘ceremonial vehicle’ and used by Her Late Majesty and HRH Pricing Philip during their Silver Jubilee Tour of Northern Ireland in 1977.
It is due to go under the hammer later this month with a target price of between £60,000 and £90,000.
Ride royal: This 1968 Land Rover Series IIA 109 4×4 will go under the hammer later this month and is expected to fetch between £60,000 and £90,000. It was used by Her late Majesty and HRH Pricing Philip during their 1977 Silver Jubilee Tour
The late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in a converted Land Rover Series II during their visit to Ulster, Northern Ireland in 1977 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations
To mark the 25th anniversary of Her late Majesty’s accession to the throne, the three-month summer tour of Britain was one of the celebrations of the year.
It saw the Royal Coupe drive to a total of 36 counties, culminating in a historic two day visit to Hillsborough and Coleraine in Northern Ireland.
The 1968 Series IIA Land Rover was originally commissioned by the Department of Defense.
It was sent to the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) central workshops for special bodywork to fulfill royal duties.
Equipped with a 2.25 liter petrol engine, it is based on the long-wheelbase version of the classic Land Rover with a raised rear seat platform and no roof.
The most notable modification is the visor-style wraparound glass panel which provided sanctuary and protection to Her late Majesty.
The celebratory Land Rover will be offered to the highest bidder at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale at the West Sussex Motor Circuit on Sunday 16th April
The 1968 Series IIA Land Rover was originally commissioned by the Department of Defense
Central workshops REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) completed the special bodies to perform royal duties. This included removing the roof and adding the wraparound rear sight glass
Two enclosed rear doors and retractable ladder steps provided easy access for Royal passengers
Double doors gated at the rear allowed easy access via a set of telescoping steps that were lowered for royal access.
Once on the elevated platform, the sofa-like seating arrangement provided additional comfort during official duties.
Bespoke interior features include a “traffic light” button system that The Queen could use to quietly and covertly tell the driver whether to stop, start or slow down, waving to the public.
Using the rear panel, pressing any of the three buttons would relay their request to the driver via a similar panel behind the steering wheel.
The many bespoke interior appointments include the sofa-style seating arrangement and a ‘traffic light’ button system, seen here at left
The three button panel allowed the Queen to quietly tell the driver if she wanted to stop, start or slow down to wave to the public
The rear panel was connected to that behind the steering wheel to allow the driver to respond to Her Majesty’s request
The Land Rover remained with the Ministry of Defense until 1983 when it was made available at public auction
Registered with the military registration number “00 FG 28”, the vehicle remained with the Ministry of Defense until it was auctioned off in Ruddington in April 1983.
The winner kept the Land Rover in a private collection until September 2017 when it was purchased by its current sellers – the Matson Martin family – where it became a focal point of their collection at Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford.
In that ownership it has made a few trips to the Goodwood Revival where it was used by the family to ferry guests between the Goodwood Hotel and the racetrack.
Equipped with a 2.25-litre petrol engine rather than a smoky diesel, it’s based on the long-wheelbase version of the classic Land Rover Series II
While there were a few luxury items in the back, the driver’s compartment is relatively standard
The vehicle has been kept in rebuilt condition, serviced annually and checked semi-annually since 2017 throughout the seller’s ownership
The vehicle will appeal not only to classic car collectors but also to royal enthusiasts when it appears at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale at the West Sussex Motor Circuit in 10 days
Maintenance was carried out annually, with inspections carried out every six months in line with the rest of the vehicles in the collection.
The Land Rover is offered with its V5C and a Royal Standard.
Tim Schofield, Head of Bonhams Collector Cars UK, said: “As the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Fast approaching, we are delighted to present this historic vehicle at Goodwood, which played a significant role in his mother’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.
“Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh both had an enduring association with the Land Rover brand and this is an impressive piece of royal memorabilia.”
The celebratory Land Rover will be offered to the highest bidder at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale at the West Sussex Motor Circuit on Sunday 16th April.
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