Late Queen's bespoke Jaguar Daimler sells at auction for £103,000
- Luxury car was driven by Queen Elizabeth II between 2001 and 2006
- Personal touches include a handbag tray and James Bond-style security buttons
The late Queen’s bespoke Jaguar Daimler which was specially modified for her handbag has sold for over £103,000.
Queen Elizabeth II owned and drove the stylish green British racing vehicle from new 2001 until 2006.
Personal touches for Her Majesty included a special retractable tray built into the armrest between the two front seats to hold her signature handbag.
It also has security and convoy lights operated by a ‘James Bond-esque’ bank of control buttons.
The ‘elegant and luxurious’ interior consists of catkin beige leather with a green carpet.
A bespoke Jaguar Daimler driven by the late Queen has been sold for £103,000
Queen Elizabeth II owned and drove the luxury vehicle between 2001 and 2006, during which she clocked thousands of miles in it
One of the vehicle’s personal touches is a special retractable tray between the front two seats built to hold Queen Elizabeth’s signature handbag
Despite having a V8 engine capable of reaching 149mph, it has only had relatively light use, clocking up just 16,200 miles in 23 years
The vehicle has an automatic transmission and a V8 engine capable of reaching 149mph, but has only clocked 16,200 miles in 23 years.
It was also driven by Prince Philip before being returned to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in 2007.
They sold it in 2013 to a British-based private collector, who kept it in a ‘pristine’ condition in a heated garage.
The car sparked a bidding war at Bonhams Cars, of London, where an unnamed buyer paid almost double its £50,000-£60,000 estimate.
A Bonhams Cars spokesperson said: ‘Her Majesty preferred shades of dark green to adorn her vehicles, thus British Racing Green was chosen, with the overall appearance kept similar to other Daimler Majestic LWB examples except for the security lights which still function as intended.
‘It has just 16,200 miles from new and less than 1,400 since leaving the royal fleet.’
Her Majesty chose British Racing Green as the colour for the inside, including on the steering wheel
Pictured: Security and convoy lights are operated on a James Bond-style bank of control buttons
The unique vehicle was also driven by the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh before it was returned to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in 2007
The new unnamed owner bought the keys to the vehicle for well over the £50,000-£60,000 the car was estimated to fetch
The Daimler V8 retains nearly all its bespoke royal additions and has been kept in pristine condition in a heated garage
David Hayhow, consignment specialist at Bonhams Cars, added: ‘This represented a very rare opportunity to own a vehicle that Her Majesty Queen Eizabeth II personally drove.
‘It retains nearly all its royal options, including the tray specially designed to hold Her Majesty’s handbag, and the flashing blue convoy lights discreetly hidden across the car.
‘Royal vehicles are offered very infrequently so, when they do come to market, they are highly sought after.’
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