Late Queen’s customised open-top Land Rover with in-built ‘traffic light system’ sells for enormous price
THE late Queen Elizabeth’s customised Land Rover which has a special ‘traffic light system’ has sold for a huge sum.
The green open-top 1978 Series III model was part of the ‘Royal Review’ convoy of cars which were used for her public engagements.
A special Plexiglass screen and chrome handrail were installed for her to hold on to while standing up and waving to the public.
Another special feature was a red, amber and green control dashboard discreetly tucked away in the side of the back seat.
There are ‘stop’, ‘slow down’ and ‘start’ buttons, so the Queen or her staff could instantly instruct the driver if she wished to move on.
The ‘military-style’ vehicle was originally built for the Central Army Vehicle Depot in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, before being modified to Royal specifications.
The standard tailgate was replaced by a pair of tub-height opening doors leading down to steps enabling easy entry and exit for Her Majesty.
The Land Rover remained in military ownership until 2012 when the late Anglo-German businessman Dean Kronsbein bought it at auction for £28,000.
At the time, the 2,286cc petrol engine, manual gearbox vehicle had done just under 2,000 miles.
Mr Kronsbein’s wife had seen the sale advertised in Country Life magazine so he entered a bidding war to secure it and then spent tens of thousands of pounds restoring it.
Mr Kronsbein, 63, died in July 2022 after being thrown from his luxury yacht into the sea off Porto Cervo, Italy.
His collection of classic cars, including the Royal Land Rover, went under the hammer at auctioneers RM Sotheby’s, of London on Saturday.
It sold for a hammer price of £32,000 to an internet bidder, rising to £36,800 with fees.
An RM Sotheby spokesperson said: “A full-width Plexiglass screen and chromed handrail were added to provide royal passengers with some level of protection and stability while standing in the rear.
“And a discreet ‘traffic light’ system allowed the Queen or her representatives to communicate instructions to the driver.
“This is an extremely unique opportunity to acquire a Land Rover with a true Royal connection.
“It has now been fully restored, meaning it presents immaculately and is now ready to join its next home.”
The Queen died aged 96 in 2022.