Queen Elizabeth II's enhanced Range Rover, boasting a substantial mileage, sets to go under the hammer at auction.
Royal Range Rover Heads to Auction
A 2006 Range Rover Supercharged V8, once owned by Queen Elizabeth II, is set to go under the hammer later this month. The vehicle, which was originally supplied to the Royal residence by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations, is expected to attract considerable interest due to its unique combination of automotive excellence and unmatched historical significance.
Rob Hubbard, managing director at Iconic Auctioneers, the auction house responsible for selling the royal vehicle, anticipates a strong bidding war for the iconic car. According to Hubbard, the vehicle's premium prices in recent royal-associated vehicle sales suggest that the final sale price could potentially exceed the initial estimate of £50,000 to £70,000.
The Range Rover was exclusively used by Queen Elizabeth II from 2006 to 2008 and has clocked almost 120,000 miles since leaving the HRH garage. Despite its heavy use, its history and supporting images of the Queen using the vehicle should command a premium above its current value. The car's unique features, such as a blue Lejeune Labrador with Pheasant mascot on its bonnet, a feature of the Queen's private collection, add to its allure.
The Range Rover has been meticulously prepared for sale, with a recent service, comprehensive paint correction, and brand-new marque-correct Pirelli Scorpion tyres. The car's interior, finished in Oxford Sand leather with extended burr walnut cabin panels and trims, and its unique Royal Household shade of Tonga Green paint, make it a standout among other Range Rovers of the era.
Launched in 2002, the L322 Range Rover quickly established itself as an automotive icon, admired for its refined blend of luxury, performance, and versatility. The 2006 facelift brought numerous enhancements, making the Queen's Range Rover a desirable collectible. The vehicle also features a selection of 'meticulously prepared' features requested for its prestigious duties, including upgraded internal wiring, blue tinted front and rear clusters, rear grab handles, a side step, bespoke mud flaps, and a bespoke dog guard.
Interestingly, a similar Range Rover SDV8 owned by the late Queen sold significantly above its estimate, fetching £224,850—around 60% higher than expected and nearly 2.7 times more than comparable models on the market. This indicates strong collector interest in royal vehicles. The Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations plaque fixed to the car shows it was signed off on 25 April 2006.
The car's MOT record shows that by April 2009, it had clocked just under 18,000 miles. Today, it is showing 119,938 miles on the display. The auction company has appraised the motor and found it in 'exemplary condition throughout', free from common corrosion issues found in many Range Rovers of this era. There appears to be a blue tint on the smaller headlight cluster, suggesting it still has the blue flashing light system to clear traffic.
The auction house, Iconic Auctioneers, believes it is the only L322 Range Rover ever owned by the Royal Household that's equipped with a 4.2-litre supercharged eight-cylinder engine. Accompanying the vehicle is an extensive history file including the original blue leather wallet, handbooks, and detailed service records.
This auction presents a rare opportunity for car enthusiasts and collectors to own a piece of automotive history with royal connections. The event will take place at the Silverstone Festival auction event.
With its unique history of being owned by Queen Elizabeth II and its meticulous preparation for sale, this royal Range Rover is expected to attract significant interest from both car enthusiasts and collectors seeking a piece of automotive history (lifestyle, cars). Given the strong demand for royal-associated vehicles and the success of a similar Range Rover in a recent auction, the final sale price could potentially exceed the initial estimate of £50,000 to £70,000 (insurance, entertainment, celebrities).
