RM to Auction Her Majesty's Daimler

Filed in archive Auctions , British Cars , Jaguar on July 15, 2010

I once owned the Queen of England's car. Well, okay, one just like it. Okay, okay... almost like it, except hers was a 1984 Daimler long-wheelbase V-12 and mine was a standard-wheelbase 1984 Jaguar V-12.

But wait! In those years Jaguars and Daimlers were virtually the same except for the grille. Daimler, however, was a grand old name and some people simply preferred to drive one for the historic distinction. The Queen drove hers because the marque had long enjoyed the Royal seal of approval. And yes, I did indeed say "the Queen drove," for she was a driving enthusiast who, as a young woman, served in the transport corps of the British Army during the Second World War, driving ambulances and even changing wheels on the vehicles.

Realising that the Queen's Daimler is to be auctioned at RM's Monterey event on Friday, August 13, 2010, I'm suddenly angry with myself for selling my Jaguar a dozen years ago for just over $5000. The Queen's Jaguar (sorry, Daimler) is expected to bring from $150,000 to $200,000 US.

My car had 125,000 miles on the clock, Her Majesty's a mere 40,000. There were a few other differences, as well. The Daimler underwent extensive road testing by factory engineers for up to 3,000 miles to remove and correct any imperfections before being transported to Buckingham Palace. Mine was a gift from an advertising client who'd neglected it long before giving me the keys.



HM's car was outfitted with a blue convoy light fitted in front of the rearview mirror to enable security teams to identify the car easily at night and to be more visible in the event of a security threat. This light is also recognized by the gate security at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. A rear antenna mount is still fitted to the car, through which the radio communications package allowed for a direct link to the Home Office and Downing Street. I was happy just to pick up KPLU, the Seattle/Tacoma jazz station.

The Daimler has recently been serviced at the current Royal-appointed garage (Guy Salmons in Royal Ascot Berkshire) who also charged the air conditioning at the same time. When my Jag was delivered by the ex-client the air-conditioning smelled as though we'd hit a skunk and had to undergo a costly replacement of the heat-exchanger. The Daimler is being presented in superb mechanical condition and drives as-new. Mine did not drive as-new but it was lovely to handle nevertheless. Smooth, quiet, fast, classy.

Obviously I won't be bidding on the Queen's car but the eventual buyer can be assured that it has been cleared of all red tape and restrictions and can be enjoyed in North America immediately with no changes to the specification. It is allowed to be registered as is, in its complete and original form. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for it has been confirmed that no more official Royal cars will be released by the factory.

Ah well, there's always Tony Blair's Jaguar, as seen many times on TV news. To be frank, I'd happily bid on any car that had picked up former Prime Ministers from Number 10 Downing.