Land Rover is fit for a Queen (or King)

October 2011

Land Rover has supplied the official cars for the recent Royal visit to Australia, a tradition that has stood since Queen Elizabeth's first Australian tour in 1954.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were escorted in a dark Range Rover model - sporting a simple crown on the registration plate - on their 16th visit to Australia.

This may be the last time the Royal couple visit Australian shores.

The Queen's mode of transport on her inaugural visit to Australia was a rare 1954 model Land Rover, one of six brought to the country for the occasion.

According to the ABC, the Defence Department had auctioned one of the 1954 Land Rover cars off a couple of years ago for approximately $20,000. Another is currently on display in the National Museum of Australia.

The original engineer of the Queen's car at the time was Arthur Goddard, now an Australian resident. Mr Goddard had his Land Rover design chosen for the Royal tour over the already-approved Tickfords vehicle.

While we may not be able to own one of the Royal Range Rover cars, the top of the line Range Rover Vogue is available in Sydney, making you feel like a queen - or king - every day.