Luxury Jaguar owned by late Queen with strange handbag feature and James Bond-style controls sells for fortune
A STUNNING Jaguar Daimler once owned by Queen Elizabeth has gone under the hammer for an eye-watering sum.
The flashy motor boasts a bizarre handbag feature as well as rare James Bond-style controls.
Selling for more than £103,000 the vehicle is certainly fit for royalty and has even been customised by the late Queen.
A special retractable tray built into the armrest between the two front seats serves as the perfect purse holder and there’s security lights operated by a James Bond-like bank of control buttons.
The interior is built for comfort and consists of stylish catkin beige leather seats and an emerald carpet.
The luxury set of wheels is not only impressive with its special features but is pleasing to the eye with its sleek British racing green colour.
Her Majesty opted for a wooden finish on the folding picnic tables and green stitching along the upholstery to match the green floor mats.
The vehicle has an automatic transmission and a V8 engine capable of reaching 149mph, but has only clocked 16,200 miles in 23 years.
The monarch owned and drove the stylish vehicle – which is automatic drive and boasts a V8 engine capable of reaching 149 mph – from brand new between 2001 and 2006.
It was also driven by the Queen‘s husband Prince Philip, before being returned to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in 2007.
They then sold it in 2013 to a private collector, who has kept it in “pristine” condition in a heated garage.
The car sparked a bidding battle at Bonhams Cars, of London, where an unnamed buyer paid almost double its £50,000-£60,000 estimate.
A Bonhams Cars spokesperson said: “Her Majesty preferred shades of dark green to adorn her vehicles, thus British Racing Green was chosen, with the overall appearance kept similar to other Daimler Majestic LWB examples except for the security lights which still function as intended.
“It has just 16,200 miles from new and less than 1,400 since leaving the royal fleet.”
Bonhams specialist David Hayhow said: “A very rare opportunity to own a vehicle that Her Majesty personally optioned and drove.
“Between 2007 to 2013 it was in the custodianship of Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and for the past eleven years has been in private collections.
“Being offered without reserve, it will be selling from the very first bid.”
The Queen was known for her love of motors, with her car history including multiple Land Rovers – including this 2008 Defender that was kept at her Sandringham Estate – and a 19-year-old Range Rover which also boasts several unusual and unique features.
The royal family's car collection
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV State Landaulet (1955) – estimated cost £876,480
Vauxhall Cresta PA Friary Estate (1961) – estimated cost £19,995
Bentley State Limousine (2002) – £10million
Lagonda 3-litre Drophead Coupe (1954) – £350,000
Alvis TD21 Series II Drophead Coupe (1961) – estimated £85,000
Land Rover Td5 Defender 130 Hearse (2021) – estimated cost up to £114,485
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II LWB (1980) – £50,000
Aston Martin DB6 Volante Series II (1969) – up to £400,000