Royal cars at Warwickshire centre for Jubilee week

A Royal Cars exhibition, running from June 2 to 10, will showcase a number of special Royal vehicles, including a 1983 Land Rover 110 station wagon, one of the very first 110 models and the Queen’s private car.

The car was used on her private estates of Sandringham and Balmoral but taken out of service in 2001 and replaced by a new model.

It was donated by the Queen to the motor centre and this will be the first public viewing of the car since the Golden Jubilee.

Also on display will be an open-topped 1954 series 1 Land Rover, the first of the bespoke royal Land Rovers known as ‘State IV’.

The body was custom designed with a rear platform from which its passengers could view the crowds.

The vehicle was part of a fleet which the Queen and Prince Philip took on a six-month Commonwealth tour after the coronation.

Visitors will also be able to see a 1958 Series 11 Land Rover, a 1968 Vanden Plas Princess limousine and a 1971 Rover Saloon which was the personal property of the Queen.

There will also be plenty to do for children during the week, which falls during the half term holidays, as red, white and blue will fill the centre for special Jubilee craft days, where families can make their own crowns and bunting.

Other attractions will include a patriotic Jubilee quiz - and even a throne to sit on.

Tim Bryan, the centre’s head of collections, said: “Showcasing the best of British is what we do. We are delighted to celebrate this most British of occasions, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with this special exhibition.”

To find out more about these and other events at the centre, call 641188 or go online.