British classics fit for a king

As the Coronation looms, it’s time to celebrate those British classics that are worthy of the royal seal of approval. It’s well documented that King Charles III already has the keys to an Aston Martin DB6 Volante that’s fed by bioethanol fuel, but what other iconic motors from the nation’s most famed manufacturers should sit beside it in the royal garage? We’ve identified five quintessentially British and incredibly unique contenders that are deserving of being crowned champion and, most importantly, are definitely fit for a king.

Overfinch Heritage Range Rover Field Edition

Credit: Overfinch

One imagines His Royal Highness is no stranger to the original Range Rover. A stately conveyance almost purpose-built for the country shooting set, it’s possible King Charles has spent more time chasing grouse and pursuing pheasant in one of Solihull’s finest than almost anyone else.

But times change, and none of us are getting any younger. Neither are the limited number of original Range Rovers that aren’t catastrophically cancerous with rust. But for those for whom only the original and best will do, there is an answer. And it comes from the people who’ve been fiddling with the things since 1975.

Overfinch has been offering performance and handling tweaks for the Range Rover practically since it was first launched. In recent years, they’ve established a new Overfinch Heritage division that, in their words, “is a celebration of the timeless values which make a vehicle desirable and unique.” Amen, brother.

The process starts with a donor car that is probably near death. It’s stripped back to bare metal, comprehensively restored, and then the fun begins. Out goes whatever lurks beneath the bonnet, to be replaced by a new GM 6.2-litre V8 with modern six-speed automatic. The interior is filled by a herd of leather, with sumptuous quilted upholstery and headlining, while the no doubt somewhat brittle plastics are replaced by knurled brightwork, hand-crafted walnut, and some tasteful suede.

The crowning glory is a hand-made gun and drinks cabinet with sliding draws and a humidor compartment.

The price for all this? A mere king’s ransom. Just £285,000. Plus VAT.

Aston Martin Bulldog

Credit: Steve Knight via Flickr

Our new monarch’s Seychelles Blue Aston Martin DB6 Volante is now quite well known, but the trouble is, Aston Martin made around 140 of the things, and that makes it positively common. What we need is something a little more exclusive.

The Bulldog is a one-off concept car built in 1979 as a showpiece for Aston Martin’s engineering nous and an attempt at the record for the world’s fastest production car. The William Towns-designed wedge hid its five (yes, five – because Aston) headlights beneath a central panel that dropped down to reveal them, while its gull-wing doors opened onto a world dominated by leather, walnut, and terrifyingly complex-looking switchgear.

Power came from a twin-turbocharged 5.3-litre V8 that had been bench-tested at around 700hp. Although Aston claimed the car was capable of 237mph, its highest recorded speed is ‘just’ 191mph, achieved at MIRA’s test track in 1979.

Ultimately, the project was cancelled, and the world’s only Bulldog was consigned to storage and a string of collector owners where it fell out of mind and largely out of view. But in 2020, the car was rediscovered and an ambitious restoration project began, headed by Richard Gauntlett, son of former Aston Martin chairman Victor.

During shakedown testing at RNAS Yeovilton, the car breezed its way to 162mph, despite a 50mph crosswind. The team are determined to crack the magic double-ton, proving there’s still plenty of life left in the old bulldog yet.

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

Credit: Steve Knight via Flickr

If it’s good enough for the King of Rock and Roll, it’s good enough for the King of the United Kingdom.

Like King Charles, Elvis Presley was no stranger to Rolls-Royce ownership. He’d bought his first roller, a Phantom V, not long after he completed his military service and on signing a new recording contract. Legend has it that he had the car repainted five times as his mother’s chickens kept pecking at the mirror-like finish.

But among his collection of somewhat brash-looking Lincolns and Stutz Blackhawks, was a tastefully-simple, plain white Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III. History suggests the car was first purchased by his friend, the actor Michael Landon, famous for Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie, before Elvis bought it from him at a football game.

Presley eventually gave the car to another friend, the singer Charlie Rich, who, in turn, would later give the car to fellow country star Charly McClain. From McClain, it passed to vocalist Jimmy Velvet, who became instrumental in opening several Elvis museums after the star’s death in 1977. The Silver Cloud now rests on display at Graceland.

Wood & Pickett Mini Margrave

Credit: Newspress

The original Mini is already classic car royalty but there’s arguably only one version that’s truly fit for a king – the Margrave by Wood & Pickett. And if our new king did fancy sliding behind the wheel, he’d be in good company. Famous actors and singers all clamoured for the Margrave and the company, founded by Bill Wood and Les Pickett in 1947, even counted His Highness Temenggog Mohamed Bolkiah of Brunei amongst its clientele.

Converted by Wood & Pickett at its entirely apt Park Royal, London premises, the Margrave’s specification was only limited by customers’ budget and taste. Typical modifications included the addition of spotlights sunk into the grille, bullbars, lashings of leather throughout the interior, electric windows and even the options of deseamed bodywork, oval rear side windows and an alternative, restyled front end.

Chic, individual and nimble, the Margrave is perfect for cutting a dash around the capital’s royal residence, while its size and ULEZ-friendly status make it compatible with London in every sense. Better still, it’s even more exclusive than it was – original 1960s survivors are rare and those that do pop up for sale come with far from mini price tags. Should the Palace find an original Margrave, though, there’s no doubt they’ll have another crown jewel on their hands.

RBW Roadster

Credit: Newspress

King Charles III cut his driving teeth on an MGC, so what better way to relive those early motoring memories and enjoy an upgrade than the electrified RBW Roadster? Blending a pure electric drivetrain with the classy looks of one of Great Britain’s most legendary sports cars, the RBW Roadster ticks all the boxes for a king who has a penchant for old classics and sustainability.

Based on a brand new British Heritage MGB bodyshell, the RBW Roadster runs a 70kW Continental Engineering Services electric motor twinned with a HyperDrive/Nissan Lithium-Ion battery pack. And while it’s got instantaneous torque from the get-go, it’s been engineered for effortless progress rather than rip-snorting performance, hitting 60mph from standstill in a refined 8.9 seconds. Couple a 160-mile range with zero emissions, automatic transmission and near silent operation, and it’s just the job for running stately errands around London.

Better still, there’s little chance of anyone having the same. RBW customers get to pick from a host of paint shades, wheels, body modifications and specify their own bespoke, luxurious interior. Such exclusivity doesn’t come cheap though, and at upwards of £90,000, Charles may need to sell an heirloom or two to get behind the wheel.

What other classic vehicles do you think are fit for a king? Let us know in the comments below!