Queen’s Daimler draws a crowd at H&H auction

Although a 1929 Bugatti Type 44 Vanvooren “saloon” produced the highest sales figure of H&H Classics’ auction at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, England, it was another vehicle on the docket that attracted three television crews to the sale.

The car that attracted so much interest was a 2001 Daimler Majestic 4.0 LWB that sold for £43,700, the equivalent of $57,500.

But this was no ordinary late-model used sedan but the specially built one created for Her Majesty The Queen.

“In 2001, it was decided that a new car was needed for HM The Queen’s personal use and to serve as a Royal relief vehicle,” H&H Classics reported. “It had to be luxurious yet understated. The answer was a 2001 Daimler Majestic 4.0 LWB built to bespoke specifications for the personal use of Her Majesty.”

The car was in royal service from June 2001 until January 2007, and was driven some 14,000 miles, with another 1,400 miles put on it since it left the Queen’s household.

The car was done in British Racing Green with Catkin leather upholstery with red trim. It also features an extendable handbag tray and security lighting.

H&H noted that before delivery to the royal household, the car underwent a three-month, 2,500-mile “debugging” program to ensure that it “never failed to proceed.”

The high-selling ’29 Bugatti went to a new owner for £201,250 (nearly $265,000).