Land Rover Classic brought a collection of ten vehicles formerly used by Queen Elizabeth II to NYC for an exhibition at Rockefeller Center. The group traveled east following a presentation at Pebble Beach for Monterey Car Week a few weeks earlier. Comprised of modified Land Rovers spanning 55 years from a 1954 Series I to a 2009 Range Rover, the lineup shows the remarkable design evolution of the brand from utility to luxury vehicle.
Parked up against the photo backdrops, it wasn’t too easy to see the modifications made to the back of many of them for review/ceremony purposes. Mostly there’s the shroud and secondary windscreen visible. However, it was interesting to get a first hand look at these super niche customized vehicles.
Intro Text and Photography: Dave Pinter
Additional Descriptions: Land Rover Classic
Full Description
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 Il and HM The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth. This particular vehicle was sent to Australia for that leg of the tour and is now under the care of a private collector in the United States
1954 LAND ROVER SERIES I (NXN1)
Originally ordered by HM King George VI, it was used by HM
Queen Elizabeth Il 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 HIA STATION WAGON (JYV1D)
Driven by HM Queen Elizabeth Il, this was the first Station Wagon of its kind to be fitted with a six-cylinder engine. It also features a host of special 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 vehicle to take the role of ceremonial State Review vehicle entered service in 1975 and was used until 2002. Its specially modified rear included foldaway 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 Il at the Sandringham estate, this vehicle is part of the private Royal Collection and, having been commissioned by HM The Queen, is part of the active Royal fleet.
1990 RANGE ROVER STATE REVIEW VEHICLE
The third State Review Range Rover vehicle featured in the image chosen by HM Queen Elizabeth Il 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 Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, replacing the previous State I Range Rover from 1990. The customized rear platform also has four foldaway 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 Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, replacing the State I Range Rover. This vehicle was famously used to transport the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, and Prince Harry during Queen Elizabeth Il’s 90th birthday parade in 2016.
2009 RANGE ROVER (CK58 NPJ)
There are numerous pictures of HM Queen Elizabeth Il behind the n heel 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.
