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Inside the late Queen's £10m car collection & her bespoke modifications

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We revealed the car that is currently up for sale
We revealed the car that is currently up for sale

MANY people know the late Queen for her fondness of corgis and horses, but she also had an impressive car collection too.

The monarch enjoyed driving a number of vehicles, including a Land Rover Defender and Bentley, and kept most of her collection at her countryside Sandringham estate.

The Queen had a car collection worth upwards of £10million, and some cars had very special modifications eiqeeiqdriqdeprw
The Queen had a car collection worth upwards of £10million, and some cars had very special modificationsCredit: PA:Empics Entertainment
The Queen learned to drive during the war when she trained as a driver and a mechanic in the forces
The Queen learned to drive during the war when she trained as a driver and a mechanic in the forcesCredit: Getty

This is despite the fact that the Queen never had to take a driving test and is the only person in the UK who is allowed to drive without a licence.

What's more, the Queen was also permitted to drive a car without a number plate - something the public are not allowed to do on UK roads.

The monarch first learned how to drive when she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War when she was 18 years old.

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Her Majesty trained as a driver and a mechanic in the forces and was promoted to honorary junior commander in 1945.

Before her passing in 2022, she was photographed behind the wheel at her homes in Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral over the years.

Former PM David Cameron claims in his memoir, For The Record, that The Queen used to tear around her Scottish estate Balmoral at "breakneck speed" in her 4x4.

Here, we look back at her beloved car collection…

Bentley State Limousines 

Her impressed car collection included Bentleys
Her impressed car collection included BentleysCredit: PA:Press Association

Two exclusive Bentleys were parked in the Royal Mews ready for service.

These are the official state cars of Great Britain, and were built for the Queen at her Golden Jubilee in 2002. 

Modified from the Arnarge, they were longer and taller than the vanilla model, and boast matching claret and black paint jobs. 

They had armoured bodywork and puncture-resistant tyres, as well as blue flashing lights. 

Jaguar Daimler V8 Super LWB

The Queen’s personal Jag was an unusual vehicle for a head of state, in that it was always meant to be driven by her rather than a staff member
The Queen’s personal Jag was an unusual vehicle for a head of state, in that it was always meant to be driven by her rather than a staff memberCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

In 2001, the Queen was the recipient of a Jaguar Daimler V8 Super LWB, which was delivered to Buckingham Palace.

It was used for three years as the Queen’s personal transport, and it had a very unique feature for the monarch.

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The makers had added a custom handbag holder and air con unit, along with features fictional secret agent James Bond would have been proud of.

These included a boot-mounted radio to contact the Home Office and Downing Street and secret buttons to activate high-intensity neon lights.

2001 Daimler Majestic

This luxury motor was once owned by Queen Elizabeth II and is currently up for sale
This luxury motor was once owned by Queen Elizabeth II and is currently up for saleCredit: Bonhams
It  includes Jame Bond-style buttons that control a range of convoy lighting
It  includes Jame Bond-style buttons that control a range of convoy lightingCredit: Bonhams

Currently available to buy via esteemed auction house Bonhams Cars, is the Queen's 2001 Daimler Majestic with just 16,200 miles on the clock, British Racing Green exterior and a stylish cream leather interior.

But what sets this classy set of wheels apart is the selection of personal optional extras, which includes a range of convoy lighting operated by a control buttons and even a handbag tray positioned along the centre console.

Her Majesty also opted for a wooden finish on the folding picnic tables and green stitching along the upholstery to match the green floor mats.

The monarch owned and drove the stylish vehicle - which is automatic drive and boasts a V8 engine capable of reaching 149 mph - from brand new between 2001 and 2006.

It was also driven by the Queen's husband Prince Philip, before being returned to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in 2007.

They then sold it in 2013 to a private collector, who has kept it in "pristine" condition in a heated garage.

2015 Range Rover LWB Landaulet 

The LWB Landaulet is a stretched, open-top version of the iconic car that was used for state processions and any occasion on which the Queen wanted to wave at her subjects
The LWB Landaulet is a stretched, open-top version of the iconic car that was used for state processions and any occasion on which the Queen wanted to wave at her subjectsCredit: Getty

Another one of the Queen’s state cars was her 2015 Range Rover LWB Landaulet, which fittingly had a mount for the Royal Standard on the bonnet.

Perfect for royal engagements and being seen by crowds, the back seats were elevated and could comfortably fit the monarch with two bodyguards.

The LWB - or long wheelbase - Landaulet also featured backwards-opening doors and an open-air top from which she could wave from.

The hybrid car was painted in an elegant maroon colour.

2002 Land Rover Defender

The Queen's love affair with basic vehicles began with her time in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)
The Queen's love affair with basic vehicles began with her time in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)Credit: PA:Press Association

Arguably her favourite car to drive has always been her Land Rover Defender.

The Queen owned numerous versions over the years, with the estimated total being 30 royal Land Rovers.

In 2002, Her Majesty was lucky enough to get a custom Defender created and sold to her - which was unusual as often the royals lease the vehicles and hand them back after a few years.

It had custom green leather seats and a fiery 4.2-litre V8 engine.

The vehicle in question was created to the Queen’s specifications, with features such as heated seats, electric windows and a slightly raised suspension to make it easier for her to drive across her estate.

She would often use the car for hunting parties, and shotgun cartridges were found left in the glovebox when it was auctioned by Brooklands for £30,240 a few years ago.

Daimler Double Six saloon

The Queen's old vintage car had a custom seat for her corgis
The Queen's old vintage car had a custom seat for her corgisCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

In 2019, it was revealed that The Queen's old vintage car has been put up for sale - and that she'd even installed a custom seat for her corgis.

The Daimler Double Six saloon car was used by Her Majesty for three years for local and low-profile engagements according to iNews.

In the back seat, a full-length rear cushion was added instead of the standard twin size, so the monarch’s three pet corgis could travel more comfortably.

The Queen racked up 12,000 miles during her ownership.

Bentley Bentayga

The Bentayga is one of Britain's comfiest cars
The Bentayga is one of Britain's comfiest cars

When Bentley boss Wolfgang Durheimer revealed in 2015 that the first Bentayga car would go to Queen Elizabeth II. 

At the time it was the most expensive luxury SUV on the market, so certainly fit for royalty. 

The Queen was invited to test drive a prototype before numerous car enthusiasts, and often used it at Balmoral for stalking deer and hunting grouse.

Daimler Phaeton

One of the most precious cars in the Queen’s collection over the years was the Daimler Phaeton, which was created in 1900 and was the first ever royal car.

Of course, it’s not the most practical to drive around the streets, so the Queen has been gifted a number of other Rolls-Royces, Jaguars and Bentleys over the years.

It is estimated that the royal collection is worth upwards of £10 million.

The Daimler Phaeton was the first royal car
The Daimler Phaeton was the first royal carCredit: Alamy

Becky Pemberton

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