When you think of the late Queen Elizabeth II, you probably picture her in a horse-drawn carriage or a formal Bentley State Limousine. But honestly, that’s not where she was most at home. If you want to know what the Queen was really like, you have to look at her 4x4s.
She wasn't just a passenger. She was a mechanic. During World War II, a young Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and learned how to tear down engines and swap out tires. That grease-under-the-fingernails background stayed with her for seventy years. It’s why the Queen Elizabeth Range Rover connection is so fascinating. For her, these weren't just luxury cars; they were tools.
The Labrador on the Bonnet
Most Range Rovers come with a standard logo. Not hers. If you ever saw a green Range Rover in the Scottish Highlands with a small silver Labrador carrying a pheasant in its mouth mounted to the hood, you knew it was her. It was her personal signature.
She didn't just have one. Over her life, she owned or used around 30 different Land Rovers and Range Rovers. While the world saw her as a distant monarch, she was often seen "ripping around" the narrow, winding roads of Sandringham or Balmoral in a mud-caked SUV.
Why the L322 Was Her Real Favorite
While she had plenty of Defenders, the third-generation Range Rover—the L322—seemed to be her sweet spot. It was the perfect mix of ruggedness and the kind of "stiff upper lip" luxury the British do best.
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Take her 2004 Epsom Green L322, for example. On the surface, it looked like any other high-end SUV you’d see in a London suburb. But look closer. It had dual rear window switches so she could control both windows from one side. It had custom grab handles because, let’s be real, she wasn't the tallest person, and getting into a tall 4x4 in a skirt requires some help.
The Supercharged Mystery
There’s one specific car that gets collectors really worked up: her 2006 Range Rover Supercharged. This was weird. Usually, the Royal Household went for diesel or standard V8s. But this one had a 400-hp, 4.2-liter supercharged V8 under the hood.
Basically, the Queen had a sleeper.
This Tonga Green beast (registration BJ06 ZGM) was her daily driver for a few years. It sold at auction recently, in August 2025, for a staggering £175,500. People were shocked. The estimate was only around £60,000. Why did it go for so much? Because it was "raw." It wasn't a museum piece. When it was displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours, you could still see the scratches in the back from her corgis' claws.
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It Wasn't All About Comfort
The modifications on a Queen Elizabeth Range Rover were often about security and practicality rather than just fancy leather.
- Covert Lights: Most of her personal cars had hidden blue lights behind the grille.
- Dog Guards: Every single one had a custom-fitted cage in the back for the dogs.
- Communication Gear: Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) would overhaul the wiring for secure comms.
There's a famous story—and this is 100% real—about when she took King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia for a drive at Balmoral. At the time, women weren't allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. She hopped into the driver's seat of her Land Rover, slammed it into gear, and went flying across the rugged Scottish tracks while chatting away. The King was apparently terrified and kept asking her through his interpreter to slow down and look at the road.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
The Hybrid Shift
Later in life, she moved with the times. Her "State Review" vehicle—the one she’d stand in to wave at crowds—became a diesel-electric hybrid Range Rover in 2015. It allowed her to glide through parades in near-silence. It was a long-wheelbase version with a custom platform in the back.
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But even with the new tech, she kept her 2009 Range Rover (CK58 NPJ) for over a decade. It had 88,000 miles on it when she passed. That’s a lot of trips to the grocery store or the stables. It shows her personality: if it works, don't replace it.
How to Spot a Real Royal Range Rover
If you’re ever at a high-end car auction, look for these "tells" that separate a real Royal vehicle from a fake:
- The Color: They are almost always Tonga Green or Epsom Green.
- The Handles: Look for extra grab handles on the B-pillar or the roofline.
- The SVO Plate: Check the door sills for "Special Vehicle Operations" stickers.
- The History: Real Royal cars usually have a gap in their registration history or are registered directly to the "The Royal Household."
Honestly, owning one is the closest most people will get to understanding her private life. They are cars meant for a woman who loved the outdoors, didn't mind a bit of dirt, and definitely liked to drive fast.
Taking Action: Where to See Them
If you want to see these vehicles in person rather than just reading about them, you have a few options. The British Motor Museum in Gaydon holds several of the State Review cars. Occasionally, Land Rover Classic takes a collection on tour—they actually did a big North American tour recently that stopped in Miami.
For those looking to buy, keep an eye on Iconic Auctioneers or Silverstone Auctions. They seem to be the go-to for decommissioning Royal fleet vehicles. Just be prepared to pay a "provenance tax." You aren't just buying a 20-year-old SUV; you're buying a piece of the 20th century.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Research the Chassis: If you find a Tonga Green L322 for sale, check if the VIN sequence matches the 2006-2008 Royal batches.
- Visit Gaydon: The British Motor Museum is the definitive place for the 1974 and 1990 State Review models.
- Check the Mascot: If you ever find an original silver Labrador bonnet mascot, hold onto it. They are incredibly rare and usually removed by the palace for "safekeeping" before a car is sold.