NEW YORK (October 21, 2024) – Following its first stop at last summer’s Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, the Land Rovers of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took over New York City’s Rockefeller Center this past weekend. The collection of Royal Review parade vehicles and QEII’s personal Rovers included ten vehicles stretching the length of The Queen’s reign and life with Land Rover products. They include:
1954 Land Rover Series 1 State Review Vehicle
The very first State Review Land Rover vehicle featured a custom-designed rear platform and accompanied HM Queen Elizabeth II and HM The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth. This particular vehicle was sent to Australia for the first leg of the tour and is now under the care of a private collector in the United States.
1954 Land Rover Series 1 [NXN1]
Originally ordered by HM King George VI, it was used by HM Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the Royal Family at Balmoral. Land Rover apprentices restored it in 2010 and it now resides in the Land Rover Classic Collection.
1958 Land Rover Series II State Review Vehicle
The second official ceremonial review Land Rover vehicle featured blue side light lenses, which were switched on whenever a member of the Royal family was being carried. This example was a reserve vehicle, which explains its low mileage of approximately 13,000 miles. It forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.
1966 Land Rover Series IIA Station Wagon [JYV1D]
Driven by HM Queen Elizabeth II, this was the first station wagon of its kind to be fitted with a six-cylinder engine. It also features a host of features, including leather seats, a wooden dog guard, and side steps to help it fulfill its Royal duties. It now forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.
1974 Range Rover State Review Vehicle
The first Range Rover to take the role of ceremonial State Review Vehicle entered service in 1975 and was used until 2012. Its specially modified rear included hideaway seats and a lectern containing concealed umbrellas. An additional exhaust silencer ensured noise from the V8 engine was kept to a minimum for its Royal passengers. It now forms part of the Royal Collection at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.
1983 Defender 110 V8 [A444RYV]
A personal vehicle used by HM Queen Elizabeth II at the Sandringham Estate, this vehicle is part of the Royal Collection and, having been commissioned by HM The Queen, is part of the active Royal fleet.
1990 Range Rover Sate Review Vehicle
The third State Review Range Rover vehicle featured in the image chosen by HM Queen Elizabeth II for her 1994 Christmas card, where she and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are pictured attending the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Arromanches. This vehicle is part of the British Motor Museum collection.
1998 Range Rover P38A Royal Ceremonial State I
This is the fourth State I Royal Review vehicle provided by the Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, replacing the State I Range Rover from 1980. The customized rear platform also has four hideaway seats, rather than the usual two as in other state vehicles. This vehicle is part of the British Motor Museum collection.
2005 Range Rover L322 Royal Ceremonial State I
This is the fifth State I Royal Review vehicle provided by the Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, replacing the State I Range Rover. The vehicle was famously used to transport the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, and Prince Harry during Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday parade in 2016.
There are numerous pictures of HM Queen Elizabeth II behind the wheel of this Range Rover vehicle, as it was her favored vehicle after it joined the fleet. The famous Labrador mascot that adorned the bonnet has been removed for safekeeping.
The Vehicles of HM Queen Elizabeth II North American tour continues November 22 – 24 with a stop at Destination Defender in Malibu, California.
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