NOW you can drive like a royal with King Charles’ former motor set to go on sale.
A lucky collector can snap up the Land Rover Defender 90 when it goes under the hammer next month.
A Land Rover owned from new by King Charles is set to go under the hammer[/caption]
The 2010 Land Rover Defender 90 was delivered to the Royal Garage at Highgrove House in November 2010[/caption]
Iconic Auctioneers say the vehicle was supplied ‘for the sole use of King Charles III’[/caption]
The eye-catching vehicle was supplied in 2010 for the monarch and his wife Queen Camilla’s use.
The Royal couple, who were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the time, parked the 4×4 at their private residence in Gloucestershire.
Finished in Keswick green, the Defender boasts a classic charcoal grey interior.
Better yet, it has a measly 24,595 miles on the clock.
The driver’s seat has only minor wear, indicating it was not chauffeur driven.
Heated seats and heated front and rear screens were added for the VIP.
A private collector is set to flog the motor in partnership with Iconic Auctioneers.
It was supplied by JLR Special Vehicles and delivered to Highgrove House in November 2010 with a confirmation letter addressed to Tim Williams, the then Prince of Wales’ head chauffeur.
There are many documents confirming the car belonged to the King but no images of him with it.
The car will be sold at Birmingham’s NEC in Iconic’s sale on March 22.
ROYAL SELL
It comes after Charles’ late mother Queen Elizabeth’s customised Land Rover which has a special ‘traffic light system’ has sold for a huge sum last year.
The green open-top 1978 Series III model was part of the ‘Royal Review’ convoy of cars which were used for her public engagements.
A special Plexiglass screen and chrome handrail were installed for her to hold on to while standing up and waving to the public.
Another special feature was a red, amber and green control dashboard discreetly tucked away in the side of the back seat.
There are ‘stop’, ‘slow down’ and ‘start’ buttons, so the Queen or her staff could instantly instruct the driver if she wished to move on.
The ‘military-style’ vehicle was originally built for the Central Army Vehicle Depot in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, before being modified to Royal specifications.
It sold for a hammer price of £32,000 to an internet bidder, rising to £36,800 with fees.
An RM Sotheby spokesperson said: “A full-width Plexiglass screen and chromed handrail were added to provide royal passengers with some level of protection and stability while standing in the rear.
“And a discreet ‘traffic light’ system allowed the Queen or her representatives to communicate instructions to the driver.
“This is an extremely unique opportunity to acquire a Land Rover with a true Royal connection.
“It has now been fully restored, meaning it presents immaculately and is now ready to join its next home.”
King Charles III leaves the Centre For Injury Studies at Imperial College London last week[/caption]
A photo of the motor’s engine[/caption]
The vehicle will go on sale on March 22[/caption]
