By: Josh White
Guildford, Surrey - IF you’re in the market for a new car, this one might catch your eye.
Listed among family run-arounds on the Auto Trader website, it is in immaculate condition, boasts only 5826 miles (9300km) on the clock and has a top-of-the-range interior.
The only problem is that you might have to re-set the satnav – as its careful previous owner has left it programmed to take her home to Windsor.
For this is the Bentley used by the Queen during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The 2012 Bentley Mulsanne was used exclusively by the sovereign for more than two years, and can now be bought on the car-selling website for £199 850 (R4.25 million)
In the rare shade of Barnato Green – named in honour of 1920s British racing driver Woolf Barnato – it ferried Her Majesty to 10 Downing Street for her first ever attendance at a cabinet meeting, where she was welcomed by prime minister David Cameron, and and events across London to mark sixty years of her reign.
And with a 6.75-litre engine the luxurious vehicle would have made short work of the trip between the Queen’s Berkshire residence and Buckingham Palace.
INTERESTING HISTORY
A description on the Auto Trader listing – which describes it as “ex-Royal Household” – adds that it has a beige leather interior, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, special 21 inch alloys and a rain sensor. In case you tire of waving to your adoring crowds, there is also an in-car entertainment system.
However the advert notes that the vehicle has “new bodywork” – suggesting that any bulletproof glass or armoured plates have been removed.
The car has been put up for sale by collector Simon Gregg, who acquired it after it was retired from the Queen’s fleet in 2014. It is on offer through his Surrey dealership, Bramley Motor Cars.
“I try to find cars that have an interesting history,” he said. “This was a real find for two reasons: firstly, cars used by the Queen rarely come to the market, and also I am a huge fan of her.
“This car was used to transport her on numerous occasions throughout her Jubilee year, including to the Cabinet meeting at Downing Street and on the day of her Jubilee celebrations in London.”
Despite a Royal procession usually travelling at 15km/h, the Bentley can reach a top speed of 295km/h – and can go from “Home James” to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds. However it consumes fuel at a rate of 17 litres per 100km, and any new owner will pay a premium for the Royal connection - as comparable Bentleys on Auto Trader cost about £70 000 (R1.5 million) less.
It is not the first of the Queen’s cars be sold on the open market, either. Her Jaguar X-Type Sovereign was recently picked up for a snip at just £15 000 (R320 000).
Daily Mail