2001 Daimler V8 - Formerly the Personal Conveyance of HM The Queen

Recognised as Britain's oldest car manufacturer, Daimler was first associated with royalty in 1898 when the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, was given a ride on a Daimler by John Douglas-Scott-Montagu later known as Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. Scott-Montagu, as a member of parliament, also drove his Daimler into the yard of the Palace of Westminster, the first motorised vehicle to be driven there. In early 1900, Daimler had sold the Prince of Wales the first royal car and was originally equipped with Mail Phaeton style four-seater bodywork with leather mudguards by coachbuilders Messrs. Hooper and Co.of St. James Street in London. In 1902, upon buying another Daimler, King Edward VII awarded Daimler a Royal Warrant to supply motor cars to the Royal Household.

Daimler became part of Jaguar Cars Limited in 1960, and the distinction of the marque was not only preserved but strengthened. Daimler models were enhanced versions of standard Jaguars and marketed as direct competitors to Rolls-Royce and Bentley. According to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, more than one hundred Daimlers have been made for British Monarchs and their families, ranging from state cars, such as the DS21 limousine to more discreet saloon cars for private motoring and lower key engagements.

Registered on the 4th June 2001 with its first and only number, Y694 CDU, this unique Daimler was built to the personal specification of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Special Vehicle Department at Jaguar Cars undertook a 2,500-mile test drive to ensure that everything worked as it should. The discreet security features included blue flashing strobes occupying the front fog lamp inserts, alternate flashing headlamps and rear alternate flashing rear lights. A pair of neon blue lights situated behind the rear view mirror were installed to alert members of the Royal Protection Team as to which vehicle the Queen was travelling in and greater visibility in the event of a smoke attack. We understand from our vendor that these lights still work. In the boot, the fittings can still be found for direct contact to the Home Office and Downing Street, although the working components have now been removed.

At The Queen's request, the car features a number of unique modifications, one of which was a factory adapted arm rest with a sliding holder specifically designed to hold her particular type of handbag, having commented that there was nowhere to put it when she was accompanied by her lady-in-waiting or her detective whilst at the wheel of the car. The reigning monarch had also mentioned that she enjoyed fresh air in the rear when being driven but did not want the air directly onto her face, so Jaguar fitted several extra switches to allow the Queen to operate the windows from either side.

Her choice of colour scheme was British Racing Green with a "Catkin" Beige and Green leather interior, and she was to travel more than 11,000 miles in this environment. A huge number of photographs of Y694 CDU can be found online, some reproduced within the history file, and show both The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Philip at the wheel on separate occasions whilst leaving Windsor Castle, as well as being chauffeured by staff from the Royal Mews. The history file includes a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirming the car's first owner as Jaguar Cars Ltd-V.I.P Leasing and an accompanying letter from the Trust confirms that the car was acquired by them from the Special Vehicles Division of Jaguar Cars in 2007.

With four registered keepers, the first being Jaguar Cars Ltd, the second the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, the third a gentleman in Surrey and the fourth our discerning client, the creator of this magnificent collection. Cars of this nature, with this provenance, tend to be treated with the same level of care as a cabinet full of delicate bone china which would explain its superb condition. Presented to auction with an odometer reading of approximately 15,000 miles, this peerless motor car will make an outstanding addition to any serious collector's stable.