United Kingdom

The car that Margaret Thatcher rode in on the most important day of her of life will soon go up for grabs.

Later this month, Silverstone Auctions will sell the 1973 Rover P5 used to drive the Iron Lady to her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth back in 1976. Although it’s a gorgeous example of British engineering of the era, what really puts this commanding saloon over the top is its role in history.

The P5 made its debut in 1958 and basically looked the same for the entire 15 years it was in production. That’s not to say the car didn’t undergo some changes over that time. The 1973 edition, for example, was powered by a Buick-sourced 3.5-liter V-8, that was easily the most powerful in the nameplate’s history. This final version of the four-door was favored by high-ranking British government officials, and was used to ferry around four successive prime ministers—Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan and Thatcher. The P5 was so trusted, that the final batch to roll off the line in 1973 were bought by the UK government and put into storage so they could be released for use when needed. Before the late prime minister’s time in office was up, the executive car would be replaced by the Jaguar XJ as the government’s vehicle of choice.

Inside the Rover P5 

Silverstone Auctions

This particular example picked up Thatcher from Conservative Party headquarters on May 4, 1979, and drove her to Buckingham Palace where she accepted the queen’s invitation to form a new government. Like others of its kind, it was converted to government specification by Hoopers, and has an exterior finished in Ebony Black and a four-seat interior covered in Saddle Tan leather.
Thatcher’s P5 was retired shortly after its momentous drive to the palace and has been privately owned since 1980, according to the UK-based auction house. It has covered over 93,000 miles during its lifetime, but has been well maintained. Its paintwork was recently refreshed and its engine and gearbox rebuilt. The interior, though, is said to be in it its original “conservative” condition.

Silverstone Auctions

Silverstone expects the former government P5 to sell for between $43,000 and $55,000 when it goes up for bid on Saturday, August 27. That’s not bad for a vehicle bound to appeal to both car and history buffs alike.

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Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands.

Just ask Rod Stewart, who recently threw on a high-visibility safety vest and grabbed a shovel to help fill in some potholes near his country estate in Essex, England. The reason why? Poor roads in the area have been putting vehicles, like his Ferrari, at risk.
The “Maggie May” rocker posted a couple videos to Instagram over the weekend showing him and his “boys” pitching in and doing some local road work. The short clips, both of which features plenty of playful banter from the raspy voiced singer, show just how decrepit the bumpy and water-logged roads in the area actually are. It’s easy to see why someone would be worried about their car sustaining damage, especially if that vehicle happens to be a very expensive sports car. It’s unclear what kind of Ferrari Stewart drives, but he’s shown a pretty keen eye for automotive beauty in the past, like his old 1971 Lamborghini Miura.

“People are smashing their cars up,” the rockstar says in the second clip. “The other day, there was an ambulance with a burst tire. My Ferrari can’t go through here at all. So, me and the boys thought we’d come here and do it ourselves.”
The state of Stewart’s black tracksuit and green sneakers suggests he may not have pushed himself too hard while working. But we’re sure that the songs he sang and the little jig he busted out at one point helped boost morale for the rest of the crew. He also took the opportunity to get in a get in a little dig at the local government, pointing out that while he and his friends were forced to patch the road themselves, millions are being spent to fix the nearby M11 motorway.
Interestingly, Stewart isn’t the only member of his household who has gotten into public works over the last few weeks. His wife, Penny Lancaster, made her first arrest as a volunteer officer for the City of London Police.
It would seem that after a life of fame and fortune, both are ready to give back.

Calling all gentleman drivers: Bentley has your next road trip sorted.

The British marque has taken the liberty of planning a five-day jaunt throughout the UK that promises some seriously epic scenic driving. Behind the wheel of your very own Bentley, you’ll journey along some of Britain’s most beautiful roads to a variety of historic locales, high-end restaurants and luxury hotels, before finishing up at the Macallan estate in Scotland for a well-deserved whisky.

The all-inclusive experience fittingly begins at Bentley’s flagship showroom in Crewe. Here, guests will enjoy a private lunch and then tour the factory to see the automakers in action. Dinner will be served in the factory, too, with each ingredient sourced within a 26-mile radius to give you a real taste of Crewe.

The trip culminates at the Macallan estate in Scotland. 

Bentley

Day two is where the fun really begins, though. In one of Bentley’s latest models—the Continental GT, the Flying Spur or the Bentayga—guests will drive in convoy through the breathtaking Peak Distrinct. After a tour and lunch at Michelin-starred restaurant Northcote, you’ll hightail it to the charming Middleton Lodge in the Yorkshire Dales to feast on local produce and recharge for the night.
The next morning you can opt for a private yoga sesh at the Lodge before the convoy continues into the picturesque North Pennines and Northumberland National Park. Lunch today will be served at an Edwardian manor that’s nestled in the Tweed Valley. Come nightfall, you’ll arrive at the Treehouses at Lanrick for an alfresco dinner prepared by noted chef Tony Singh and a spot of stargazing with Scotland’s Astronomer Royal Catherine Heyman.

You’ll have a chance to soak in the breathtaking British countryside. 

Bentley

Day four will begin with a stop at the Fife Arms, a 200-year-old hotel packed with more than 16,000 antiques, as well as artworks by Picasso, Freud and more. The convey will then embark on the final leg of the trip, which celebrates the partnership between Bentley and the Macallan. You’ll head to the 485-acre estate in Speyside for a scotch tasting at the distillery, then enjoy a curated dining experience at the Elchies Brasserie and a stay at the beautifully restored Rothes Glen.
Day five, meanwhile, will include a final breakfast and a chauffeured transfer to Aberdeen International Airport for flights home. You can also opt to take the iconic Caledonia Sleeper train from Inverness to London if you want to keep things scenic.

As to be expected, spots are limited. The nameplate is allowing just five couples on the trips that will take place at four different points throughout this year. You can expect to pay around $15,400 (£11,350) per person and this covers all accommodation, food, drinks and activities throughout the five-day trip, as well as the use of the Bentley. You’ll also enjoy a full concierge service that will cater to any needs or wants along the way.
Ready for a jaunt across the pond? You can contact Bentley for more information.
Check out more photos below:

Bentley

Bentley

Bentley

Prince Phillip loved Land Rovers so much one will serve as a hearse during his funeral procession next weekend.

The casket carrying the body of the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last week at the age of 99, will be driven to its final resting place at Frogmore Gardens, on the grounds of Windsor Castle, in a custom Defender 130 Gun Bus, reports The Drive. And this isn’t just a vintage Land Rover that Queen Elizabeth II’s late husband loved, it’s one he helped design.

Prince Philip’s custom Land Rover Defender 130 Gun Bus 

Foley Specialist Vehicles

The green Gun Bus was hand built by Foley Specialist Vehicles and delivered to the queen’s private home, the Sandringham Estate, in 2016. Crafted to Prince Philip’s exacting specifications, this model is a decidedly luxurious take on the utility vehicle. It features an extra-long, 130-inch wheelbase, reinforced frame, entirely new rear passenger cabin, loads of hinged storage, large opening windows, two roof vents, LED lighting, a green leather interior and French Oak trim. The hulking 4x4s are used by the British Army, but we would assume the royal, who was an avid hunter, likely used his while shooting game.

“We have just delivered a totally rebuilt 130 Defender Gun Bus to the Duke of Edinburgh for use on one of the Estates,” the Land Rover specialists wrote in a 2016 Facebook post, which has now been made private. “Built to his specifications in the traditional Deep Bronze Green to an ‘As New’ standard. Built onto a galvanized chassis and hand-built rear body.”

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride in a convertible Range Rover on the Queen’s 90th birthday 

Jaguar/YouTube

It should come as no surprise that Prince Philip had such an affinity for the English SUV maker; the marque is a royal family favorite. Queen Elizabeth’s father, George IV, was presented with the 100th Land Rover after it rolled off the line in 1948, according to The Drive. And in 2016, the Queen and Prince Phillip rode around Windsor Castle in a  special convertible Range Rover waving at the the thousands of adoring onlookers who had gathered to wish her a happy 90th birthday. Next weekend’s procession will, of course, mark a far more somber occasion, but it seems only fitting that the prince’s final ride will in his beloved Defender.

MG may not be DeLorean, but it just went back to the future.

On Thursday, the British marque shared images of its latest concept vehicle, an all-electric convertible called the Cyberster. The roadster marks a return to open-top sports cars for a brand that has spent most of its time churning out generic compacts and crossover SUVs since it was acquired by Chinese conglomerate SAIC Motor in the aughts.

MG Cyberster Concept 

MG

The flamboyant convertible concept is expected to make its official bow at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Renderings of the concept show a curvaceous speed machine that looks like it was taken from a video game set decades from now. Despite this, the car features several references to the MGA and MGB roadsters the brand built between 1955 and 1980, including the its trademark round “Magic Eye” headlights, slime grille and a “Laser Belt” LED strip along the side meant to recreate the original’s chrome detailing.

But the sports car showcases entirely new design elements, too, including a bold, squared-off rear with integrated LED taillights. The driver’s cockpit, meanwhile, features a digital gauge cluster, a palm scanner for security and a jet fighter-style steering yoke. We can’t imagine the cockpit ever making it to a production car—at least not this century—but it’s certainly fun.

MG

“The Cyberster is a bold statement that looks strongly into MG’s future, touching on our heritage but more importantly building on our cutting-edge technology and advanced design,” SAIC Design Advanced London director Carl Gotham said in a statement. “Sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA, and Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us.”
Thursday’s reveal was meant mainly as a teaser, so we’ll have to wait until later this month to learn the Cyberster’s technological specs. What we do we do know, though, is that the roadster will ride on an electric platform with 5G connectivity and have an impressive range of 500 miles. It remains to be seen whether the convertible will ever go into production, but it’s nice to see MG wade into the future.

It can take a seismic event for serious car collectors to even consider parting with their automotive babies. But the dissolution of a marriage certainly qualifies. That appears to be the case for one Bentley-loving Brit.
Robin Cannon, a multimillionaire director of a home care service in the UK, is expected to sell off one of the finest private collections of Bentleys ever assembled, reports The Times of London. The reason: to help pay for his divorce.

The cars will be auctioned off by Duke’s of Dorchester, Dorset. The sale will include seven Bentley’s built between 1929 and 2014, as well as a beautifully maintained first-generation Chevrolet Corvette from 1959. The assortment of autos is expected to bring in more than $2 million by the time final hammer falls.

1935 Derby 3.5 Liter  Duke’s

Among the cars schedule to hit the block is a 1929 WO Bentley 4.5 Liter (at top) that is one of just 665 examples of the roadster ever built. The car, which is valued at $965,000, was exported to India during the 1930s, then lost before being rediscovered in Afghanistan during the 1970s, at which point it was returned to England following a four-week, 5,700-mile journey.
There’s also a stately 1935 Derby 3.5 Liter ($250,000) and a gorgeous silver 1956 S1 Continental Fastback ($550,000) that’s considered one of the finest Bentleys of the decade. Rounding out the collection is a 1961 S2 Continental ($410,000), 1964 Continental S3 ($250,000), 2007 Azure ($125,000), 2014 Continental GT Speed Convertible ($105,000) and, last but certainly not least, the 1959 ‘Vette ($95,000).
The stunning automobiles aren’t the first possessions Cannon has had to part with since separating from his ex-wife Jane two years ago. He also had to sell the Newton House, a $6.9 million Jacobean property located near Yeovil, Somerset, the former couple bought back in 2007. It was there that Cannon stored his collection in a custom-made, climate-controlled garage.
1956 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback  Duke’s

Cannon told the Times he is sad to see the collection go but that it is time. “My ex-wife and I split up in September 2019, and after selling the house, I didn’t have anywhere to store the cars,” he said. “I have been under pressure to sell them as part of the divorce. I am making the effort to sell them. It is not a distress sale, and I am not being forced into it, but it is sensible for me to sell them.”

Canon’s “magnificent” collection is scheduled to hit the block next Monday, March 11. Each car is available for view on the Duke’s website, and you can reach out to the auction house for more information if you’re interested in bidding.