Royal Wheels: Uncovering the Enduring Bond Between the British Monarchy and Land Rover
Land Rover Classic Showcases Royal Range Rovers and Defenders at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Land Rover Classic made a memorable appearance at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, featuring a special display of Range Rovers and Defenders used by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The prestigious event, held during Monterey Car Week, saw both British brands, Range Rover and Defender, make a significant presence on the California peninsula.
The showcased vehicles have been used by the British Royal Family as official or private vehicles, highlighting JLR’s long-standing relationship with the Royal Family, dating back to 1948 when Land Rover was founded.
The historic vehicles, including a 1954 Land Rover Series 1 and a 2009 Range Rover, as well as six specially commissioned official vehicles, were generously donated from the Royal Family’s private collection, Land Rover Classic, the British Motor Museum, and private collections.
Event Highlights and Stakeholder Comments
Leonard Hornick, JLR Chief Commercial Officer
“The response to this extraordinary collection of historic Range Rover and Defender vehicles has been fantastic. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the world’s rarest and most desirable classic cars at a prestigious event.”
“We’re proud to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen and demonstrate our continuing connection with the Royal Family in this way.”
Sandra Button, President of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
“We’re thrilled to welcome such magnificent vehicles to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Watching 10 Land Rovers and Range Rovers roll through the front doors of The Lodge at Pebble Beach and onto the famous fairways of Pebble Beach Golf Links was an honor.”
“The crowd was amazed and delighted. The cars’ parade around the short lap at the awards ceremony later that day received thunderous applause.”
The royal car made its official debut at the Pebble Beach Dawn Patrol presented by Hagerty, a timeless tradition at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Ahead of its historic announcement at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the limited-edition 2024 Range Rover SV Carmel Edition (long wheelbase) was unveiled at the Range Rover House for specially invited guests.
This year’s “Carmel Edition” is inspired by the lush forests along the breathtaking coastal roads and picturesque ocean cliffs surrounding Carmel, featuring a bespoke Satin Green exterior, Sequoia Green and Perlino interior, color-matched wheels, and black metal badging with 24K gold accents.
The high-performance model, the Range Rover Sport SV Edition 2, also made its world debut.
Royal Land Rover Exhibition Vehicle Details
A collection of Range Rover/Defender photos from the event, totaling 138 photos, is available for viewing.