Cars that Her Majesty might have seen from the Buckingham Palace balcony in the early 1950s…
LeaseCar.uk tells us:
As Brits remember the Queen and think about her 70 year reign, experts reveal what motoring was like when the Queen ascended the throne and what cars she would have seen from the balcony of Buckingham Palace at that time.
Queen Elizabeth II witnessed spectacular changes in the automotive world during her 70-year reign, beginning with the sportier car designs of the 1950s that people may have driven down to London for her coronation.
The car leasing experts at LeaseCar.uk have explored what motoring life looked like for the Queen when she first ascended the throne and revealed which cars were most popular in the early 50s.
Whether drivers splashed out on a Jaguar XK 120 or found themselves captivated by the rebrand of Ford’s convertibles, many Britons drove these extraordinary motor vehicles at the time Elizabeth became our Queen.
A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said:
“As we mourn the loss of the Queen we reflect on the last 70 years of her Majesty’s service and remember fonder times. We were intrigued to discover what life on the roads was like in 1952 when she first took to the throne.
There were 2.5 million cars on the road at the time of her majesty’s coronation compared to 35 million today, with no hatchbacks, crossovers or SUVs, and no dual carriageways or motorways for the cars to drive on.
The ’50s saw Britain emerge from a post-war gloom with more adventurous car designs.
From one of the first Land Rover models to the launch of Ford’s Sunliner with a curved one-piece windshield, it’s fascinating to step back in time and remember simpler times.”
The cars on the road during the time of the Queen’s coronation as revealed by LeaseCar.uk:
Jowett Javelin
One of the typical modes of transport to take to bowling or roller skating, the Jowett Javelin was first produced near Bradford from 1947 to 1953. A powerful 1.5-litre car, with an extremely strong structure, this vehicle was a typical find for drivers seeking comfort and a high cruise speed. The interiors are furnished with durable leather to add that extra splash of comfortability.
Jaguar XK 120
Living life to the fullest is the best way to describe this one-of-a-kind vehicle. Today one might have an estimated value of £110,000 and was a distinctive ride to make a mark on the motorways. As one of the fastest production cars of its day, it still holds up in the 21st century. Even a royal would be pleased to ride one of these unique vehicles.
Land Rover 80” Series One
One of the first ever versions of the iconic 4×4 cars, the Land Rover Series One (please see our heading photograph) was a common vehicle for countryside lovers. This classic collectable was the perfect solution for off-road driving or family days out to the seaside. Lightweight and rust-resistant with the iconic green paintwork and increased engine size of up to 2.0 litres, this vehicle boasted well-respected features of its time.
Ford Crestline Sunliner
Ford has over 8.5% of the UK market share, with millions of drivers purchasing popular models such as the Ford Focus, or the Ford Fiesta. In 1952, Ford refreshed their models with a curved one-piece windshield glass and a convertible model in the Crestline Sunliner. You could spot these on the streets for those desperate for that extra sunshine and wind blowing through your hair.
Rover P4 75
The type of exquisite luxury car you’re likely to see in movies.
Owned by King Hussein of Jordan, the Rover PR 75 was his first ever car back in 1952. The model was first launched in 1949; the wide range of features included a chromium-plated grille plus opulent fixtures and fittings.
Representing a major change from its predecessor the Rover P3, this automobile was declared modern for its time.
Bentley MKVI
Kim Kardashian once famously quoted: “You can’t put a bumper sticker on a Bentley.” This principle was applied back to the specialist Bentley models in 1952. These luxury cars are today estimated to be worth over £80,000 in good condition. People driving these in the ’50s were able to enjoy the luxurious interior, mechanical sophistication, sliding sunroof and top speeds of around 100mph.