Cheffins has been appointed to auction a unique Series 1 Land Rover presented to Sir Winston Churchill on the occasion of his 80th birthday on the 30th November 1954.
The vehicle goes into Cheffins' Vintage Sale on 20th October at Sutton Saleground near Ely.
It comes complete with the original buff logbook, registered as UKE 80 in the name of the Rt Hon. Sir Winston Spencer Churchill KG. OM. CH. MP. Chartwell, Westerham, Kent, although his signature is absent.
The UKE registration number is a standard Kent issue for December 1954 but many have noted the United Kingdom Empire reference whilst the '80' would be a fantastic coincidence indeed if it was not deliberately applied.
The chauffer driven unique Land Rover was put to good use taking Sir Winston around his 300 landscaped acres of Chartwell estate now owned by the National Trust.
The vehicle was especially put together by Rover bearing in mind the requirements of the VIP, the passenger accommodation is an 'extra wide' modification, suitably commodious for the great man's great seat. The eight inch wide middle seat is converted to a padded fold down armrest whilst a leather clad grab handle is fitted to the bulkhead. A later addition, and boon for the comfort of the noble passenger, is the truck cab and foot well heater, no doubt welcome on a cold Kent morning.
“Leave the past to history especially as I propose to write that history myself.”
