With preparations well underway for the coronation of King Charles III next month, classic car collectors have the chance to get their hands on a very special vehicle using during the reign of his month, Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, some 46 years ago.
The motor is a 1968 Land Rover Series IIA 109 4X4, which was converted into a ‘Ceremonial Vehicle’ and used by Her Late Majesty and HRH Pricing Philip during their Silver Jubilee tour in Northern Ireland in 1977.
It is set to go under the hammer later this month with a guide price of £60,000 to £90,000.
Royal ride: This 1968 Land Rover Series IIA 109 4×4 will go under the hammer later this month and is expected to make between £60,000 and £90,000. It was used in 1977 by Her Late Majesty and HRH Pricing Philip during their Silver Jubilee tour
Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip pictured in the converted Land Rover Series II during their visit to Ulster in Northern Ireland in 1977 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations
Marking 25 years since the succession of Her Late Majesty to the throne, the three-month summer tour of Great Britain was one of the year’s celebratory events.
It saw the Royal coupe take in 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 had originally been commissioned by the Ministry of Defence.
It was sent to Central Workshops REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) for special coachwork in order to perform Royal duties.
Fitted with a 2.25-litre petrol engine, it is based on the long-wheel base version of the classic Land Rover with a raised rear seating platform and no roof.
The most eye-catching modification is the visor-style wraparound glass panel, which provided shelter and protection for Her Late Majesty.
The ceremonial Land Rover will be offered to the highest bidder at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale at the West Sussex motor circuit on Sunday 16 April
The 1968 Series IIA Land Rover had originally been commissioned by the Ministry of Defence
Central Workshops REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) completed the special coachwork in order to perform Royal duties. This included removing the roof and adding the wrap-around visor-style glass
A pair of gated rear doors and extending ladder steps provided easy access to its Royal passengers
Gated double doors at the rear provided easy entry via a set of extending steps that lowered for Royal access.
Once into the raised platform, the sofa-style seating arrangement provided additional comfort during official duties.
Bespoke interior features include a ‘traffic light’ system of buttons that allowed The Queen to quietly and covertly communicate to the driver if she wanted to stop, start or travel slower in order to wave to the public.
Using the control panel in the rear, pressing one of the three buttons would relay her request to the driver via a similar panel behind the steering wheel.
Among the many bespoke interior features is the sofa-style seating layout and a ‘traffic light’ system of buttons, seen here on the left
The three-button panel allowed The Queen to quietly communicate to the driver if she wanted to stop, start or travel slower in order to wave to the public
The rear panel was linked to this one situated behind the steering wheel so that the driver could respond to Her Majesty’s request
The Land Rover remained with the Ministry of Defence until 1983, when it was made available at a public auction
Registered on the military plate ’00 FG 28′, the vehicle remained with the Ministry of Defence until it was put up for auction at Ruddington in April 1983.
The winning bidder kept the Land Rover in a private collection until September 2017, when it was bought by its current vendor – the Matson Martin family, where it became a focal point of their collection at Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford.
In this ownership it has made a couple of trips to the Goodwood Revival, where it was used by the family to ferry guests between the Goodwood Hotel and the circuit.
Fitted with a 2.25-litre petrol engine rather than a smoky diesel, it is based on the long-wheel base version of the classic Land Rover Series II
While there were a few luxuries in the back, the driver’s compartment is relatively standard
The vehicle has been retained in its converted condition, been serviced annually and had a six-month check-up throughout the vendor’s ownership since 2017
The vehicle will not only appeal to classic car collectors but also Royal enthusiasts when it appears at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale at the West Sussex motor circuit in 10 days’ time
Servicing has been undertaken annually, with inspections carried out every six months in line with the rest of the collection’s vehicles.
The Land Rover is offered with its V5C and a Royal Standard.
Tim Schofield, Head of Department, Bonhams Collector Cars UK said: ‘With 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 the Silver Jubilee celebrations of his mother.
‘Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh both had an enduring association with the Land Rover marque and this is an evocative piece of Royal memorabilia.’
The ceremonial Land Rover will be offered to the highest bidder at the Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting Sale at the West Sussex motor circuit on Sunday 16 April.
