Used by HM Queen Elizabeth II during her Silver Jubilee year
1968 Land Rover Series IIA 109" 4x4 Ceremonial Vehicle

• Ex-Ministry of Defence
• Special coachwork by Central Workshops, REME
• Present ownership since 2017
• Offered from a private collection

Some ten years after the original's introduction it was felt that the time had come to update the Land Rover's somewhat primitive slab-sided styling. The result was the Series II, which featured the more rounded sides that would characterise the Land Rover to the end. Introduced in 1958, the Series II was available with either the 2,286cc petrol engine or the newly developed 2,052cc diesel first seen in 1956 on what became known retrospectively as the 'Series I'. By this time the original permanent four-wheel drive freewheel transmission had been superseded by the more conventional selectable two- or four-wheel drive arrangement, with a set of low ratios available if required with the latter option selected. For the Series IIA the diesel engine was enlarged to 2,286cc and a new 12-seater model introduced on the longer (109") wheelbase chassis. Progressively developed from its launch in 1948, the ubiquitous Land Rover would be modified over the decades to serve countless specialist requirements, both civilian and military.
A 2¼-litre petrol-engined model, this Series IIA Land Rover commenced its service with the Ministry of Defence in 1968, and nine years later conveyed HM Queen Elizabeth and HRH Prince Philip during their tour of Northern Ireland on the occasion of the Queen's Silver Jubilee (photograph available). Previously registered '00 FG 28' (military), the vehicle was sold at the MoD auction at Ruddington in April 1983 to the immediately preceding owner, joining his private collection.
Since September 2017 the Land Rover has belonged to the Matson Martin family at Baddow Park Estate, Chelmsford. The vehicle has been part of the family collection and carefully stored on the Estate. Servicing has been undertaken annually, with inspections carried out every six months in line with the rest of the collection's vehicles.
The ceremonial Land Rover has had various outings for photoshoots at the Baddow Park House luxury wedding venue, plus a couple of trips to the Goodwood Revival. While the Land Rover was at the Surrey racetrack it was kept at the Goodwood Hotel and used by the family to ferry guests to and from the circuit. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate, this is an evocative yet highly practical piece of Royal memorabilia.