Ten Land Rovers and Range Rovers that were used by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be put on display at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The vehicles have been sourced from the Royal Household private collection, Land Rover Classic, the British Motor Museum and further private collections. It marks the first time such a line-up has been seen stateside.
The very first State Review Land Rover, a 1954 Series I, will be on display. Built for HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s six-month tour of the Commonwealth, it features a custom-designed rear platform and was used during the Australian leg of the tour. Another 1954 Series I will also be in attendance; originally ordered by HM King George VI, it was used by Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the Royal Family at Balmoral, and was restored by Land Rover apprentices in 2010.
Moving to the Series II and Series IIa models, a 1958 State Review SII and a 1966 Series IIa Station Wagon will also make an appearance. The second official ceremonial review Land Rover vehicle features blue side-light lenses, which were switched on whenever a member of the Royal Family was being carried. The Station Wagon, meanwhile, was personally driven by Queen Elizabeth II, and was the first Station Wagon of its kind to be fitted with a six-cylinder engine; it also has unique features such as a wooden dog guard, leather seats and side steps.
Two early Range Rovers will also be part of the display, including a 1974 State Review vehicle that remained on royal duties until 2002. Its specially modified rear includes 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.
The other Range Rover is a 1990 State Review vehicle, which featured in the image chosen by Queen Elizabeth II for her 1994 Christmas card, where she and Prince Philip were pictured attending the 50th Anniversary of D-Day Landings in Arromanches.
A 1983 Defender 110 V8 that was the personal vehicle of Queen Elizabeth II at the Sandringham estate will also be on display (pictured above), as well as a 2009 Range Rover (pictured below) which she described as her favourite vehicle.
The remaining cars will be announced closer to the date of the Pebble Beach Concours, which will feature a British garden party in a special hospitality area adjacent to the vehicles.
“Welcoming these historic vehicles to the Pebble Beach Concours showfield gives us the opportunity to celebrate the Land Rovers and Range Rovers that played a significant role in the life of one of the world’s most admired women, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II,” said Sandra Button, chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. More details can be found here.
