1982 Range Rover Cerimonial for Royal and Government duties

This is a 1982 Range Rover Classic, which was converted by special vehicle operations when new to a Ceremonial vehicle for Royal and Goverment duties

Only 2 of these conversion were made.

45AJ49 is one of two Ceremonial Range Rovers know to be built in 1982 for the RAF, and was based at RAF Rudloe Manor in Wiltshire.

This is the home of the RAF Provost and Security Service, and would have been maintained and looked after by them , and would have been dispatched to various locations whenever needed for parade or VOIP duties.
 

This vehicle would have been used by the queen and members of the Royal family, as well as the then Prime Minister - Margaret Thatcher.

 

RAF Rudloe manor is one of several sites which together made up a complex of secret underground establishments - a quick search on "Google" will reveal the full extent of the complex, which included Burlington Bunker a facility with food and fuel stocks for

up to 4,000 people (including members of the Royal Family and the government) for up to 3 months.

There is also an underground railway station, where trains could be diverted from the main lines from London to Bath.

The whole complex has 60 miles of underground roads.

The Range Rover had an MOD life of 10 years, and was disposed of via the MOD disposal facility at Ashton Down in 1992, when it had covered 31,000 miles.

Although it today (2008)retains "MOD" style number plates for show and display purposes only, it is UK registered RHL 253X.
 

It has been in private ownership since disposal, and in recent years up to 2008 on display at Land Rover Centre Huddersfield's showroom in Huddersfield.
 

This is a standard vehicle, other than the obvious body conversion,

an additional dash mounted speedometre to allow a steady speed to be maintained during parades, plus low ration diffs.

Enginebay with standard 3.5 litre V8