A unique 2007 Land Rover Discovery 3, built for the then-Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, will be heading to auction soon.
Now that Charles and Camilla are King and Queen, and following record-breaking sums recently achieved at auction for vehicles with a royal connection, the special Discovery 3 may become one of the most valuable examples of this third-generation SUV.
Just how much the Land Rover sells for will be revealed at the Practical Classics & Restoration Show sale, being held in March by Classic Car Auctions.
Delivered by royal appointment
The royal family is known for its keen interest in Land Rovers, with various examples having been part of its special fleet.
Although Range Rovers have typically been the royal luxury SUV of choice, this Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 was delivered new to Highgrove House in January 2007.
Documents supplied with the Discovery confirm it was supplied by JLR Special Vehicles for the sole use of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
They also note the Land Rover was to be driven by Tim Williams, head chauffeur to Prince Charles.
Noble understatement
Finished in Tonga Green, with an interior trimmed in Ebony leather, the Discovery 3 HSE is a lesson in regal restraint. From the outside, there is nothing obvious to demonstrate its royal connection.
However, bespoke additions by JLR Special Vehicles include alternate flashing headlamps, front and rear strobe lights, and flashing rear fog lamps.
A full list of the optional equipment fitted to the Discovery 3 will be included with the sale, along with a Jaguar Land Rover Heritage Certificate.
Maintained to sovereign standards
Powering the Discovery 3 is a standard 2.7-litre TDV6 diesel engine, combined with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. Producing 195hp and 325lb ft of torque, the TDV6 was intended to be the big-selling engine in the range.
There are no details on whether HRH Prince Charles made use of the Discovery 3’s Hill Descent Control, or ever engaged Rock Crawl mode on the Terrain Response system. However, as could be expected from a car used by the royal household, the vehicle comes with a fully stamped service history.
Classic Car Auctions notes that the odometer shows 117,500 miles, but says the Land Rover ‘looks and feels like a 40,000-mile example’.
For serious royal collectors
Last year, a 2004 Range Rover used by the late Queen Elizabeth II was sold for a world-record £132,750. The Discovery 3 seems unlikely to beat that figure, with a guide price of £20,000 to £30,000 suggested ahead of the sale.
Simon Langsdale, who sourced the Land Rover for Classic Car Auctions, believes it could still attract plenty of attention. He commented: “This is surely one for a serious royal family collector, and with Prince Charles now King Charles the vehicle has a double royal provenance, adding to its future value. One wonders if this will be the third royal 4×4 to make a world record with us?”
The Land Rover Discovery will cross the auction block on Saturday 23 March 2024 at the Practical Classics Car & Restoration Show sale, being held at the NEC in Birmingham.
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