1983 Range Rover Solihull Mayoral Limousine

Chassis number: SALLHAMV3AA138626

Registration number: A451 YOX formerly SOL 1

Engine type: 3.5 V8 Petrol

Gearbox type: 3 Speed Automatic

Vehicle spec:
This vehicle was built by Land Rover and registered with the number SOL 1 on 24 August 1983. It was registered to the ‘Mayor’s Parlour at the Council House’ in Solihull. 

It has a wheelbase of 120 inches, is 196 inches long overall and weighs 2½ tons. It has a soundproofed, bespoke interior swathed in walnut veneer and shimmering blue velour featuring a sofa-like rear seat, a pair of fold-down rear-facing seats, and a cramped driving compartment separated from the sumptuous accommodation in the back by a sliding glass privacy screen. There are two independently controlled air conditioning systems and two radios, one for the chauffeur and one for the VIPs.

In 1989 it was presumably downgraded for the use of officials rather less important that the mayor, because it was re-registered with the number SOL 2, and SOL 1 was reallocated to a Daimler. In early 1995, by which time it had covered around 85,000 miles, it was downgraded again and given the age-related registration A451 YOX. In May 1998 the Council offered it for sale and it was purchased by Jeffrey Lee, a director of Doherty & Lee Ltd who had a long association with the Council as civil engineering contractors. 

The Collection acquired it in September 2020. For the full story on this fascinating vehicle see Land Rover Monthly magazine January 2021.