While the SUV buyers have their eyes set on the 2013 Range Rover, the vintage car lovers are waiting to place their bids to own one of the rarest, custom made Land Rover once owned by Sir Winston Churchill. The vintage vehicle stored in a shed for 35 years is special for more then one reason. The original Series 1 Land Rover was given to the wartime prime minister as a present from car maker Rover on the occasion of his 80th birthday in November, 1954. The custom edition comes complete with registration number UKE 80 and has 12,932 miles on the clock.
Since 1954, the vehicle has changed its hands twice. The car was inherited by his son-in-law, Lord Soames after the death of Sir Winston Churchill in January 1965. He further sold it for £160 in 1973 to his friend Norman Mills at a farm contents sale, who further sold it to his neighbor Kent farmer Frank Quay for £320 in the same year. Quay used the dark green pick-up for light farm duties and towing his daughter’s horse trailer until its road tax expired in 1977. Since then the car was stored in a shed. Mr Quay tried to sell the historic vehicle through Sotheby’s internet auction in 1999 in conjunction with Amazon, but was pulled off from the auction due to some technical difficulties in the online auction and a lack of bidders.
The high historical provenance remains intact, including an extra-wide passenger seat to accommodate Sir Winston’s rounded girth, a fold-down arm rest, a leather-clad grab handle and a footwell heater. The other highlight includes a wooden box specially fitted so that Churchill could indulge his hobby of bricklaying.
Truly a collector’s delight, the car is expected to fetch between £50,000 and £60,000 ($94,158) when it goes under the hammer at Cheffins sale in Sutton on October 20.
Sir Churchill’s memorabilia has never failed to fascinate the historic memorabilia collectors; from his dentures to Chruchill’s personal items, the British statesman collectibles holds a great value to the collectors. Other Churchill memorabilia sale includes the auction of his Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupe.
The upcoming Pebble Beach Auctions 2012 will also feature some of the most desirable collector cars for sale.
Also, check out the world’s most expensive classic cars sold at auction.