A car that is finally finding its place as a true classic, the Mk2 Rover 800 is never one to be missed. Especially when said 800 is as good as this one. However, as if the condition wasn’t enough to sway you, this one has that fascinating Royal history. 

This car was supplied new to Buckingham Palace, it was sold to its second owner - from the original Royally approved dealer - as ‘one lady owner’ and all the paperwork is there to back it up. There is, owing to security, nothing that says the Queen’s name, but the framework and history is there. Plus, other cars supplied to Buckingham Palace say to whom they are going. This one is notable in that it doesn't. It simply says Buckingham Palace. 

Even without that Royal link, however, this car is still special. Original, in excellent overall condition and ready to be enjoyed, this is a stunning machine that will make its new owner very happy indeed. It has been cared for without constraint and it stands today as a glowing example of just how good the 800 could be. Definitely not a car you can afford to miss. 

Supplied new in 1993, registered as L464 BPE, this Rover Sterling’s first home was none other than Buckingham Palace. The supplying dealer, Thomas Day Motors of Fleet was an approved supplier of cars to the Royal estate. Normally, however, the cars are sold with a named party attached, as in who would take custody. This 827 didn’t. Instead, it simply reads Buckingham Palace on the documentation. This is the first indicator that it may have made its way to the Queen, as other cars she had were the same. 

Then there is the story around how its second owner came to own it. A repeat customer of Thomas Day Motors, he was looking for a Rover 800. He normally bought new, but was instead offered this low mileage, one year-old Sterling that had “one previous lady owner”. Anecdotal? Yes. But with the other factors, it seems more than plausible. You decide. 

He sold it a couple of years later, leaving his personal plate of H10 MSS with the car. It was then with the next owner until 2011, when it was bought by the current owner -  a well known Rover 800 enthusiast and collector. There is extensive paperwork included, which covers the entire life of the car. There are handbooks, manuals, magazine features, invoices and more. The car also comes with a fresh MOT.

As one would expect from a Rover, the interior is plush thanks to being full of light tan leather and swathes of wood, all of which is in excellent order. Having done some 94k, there is of course some wear to the driver's seat, but nothing to worry about. More broken in than broken. The seats are electric, and they function as they should. While sitting in the comfortable driver's seat, you can look upon the dash. There is no lift or swelling, as is the fate of many 800s. The dials are bright and clear, all the switchgear functions as it should, the factory head unit is still present and the wood veneer is all polished and free of damage. The only thing to note is that the climate control, while functional, is in need of a re-gas to get the most out of it. 

Elsewhere in the cabin, starting at the top, we have headlining in good condition and still in place, and of course, an electric sunshine roof. Moving down, we have door cards. All in excellent order and free from marks. Some of the fittings have been changed from their original beige colour, as it was prone to going brittle and discolouring. Instead, they are now grey and add some nice contrast. 

Finally, we have the carpets. The deep pile beige carpet is in great condition, thanks to being covered by factory mats and in turn, another set of mats. That’s the level of care this car has been subject to. In the boot, there is an incredibly rare Rover 800 boot liner, a spare wheel and all the original factory tools along with a factory CD multichanger. 

As you can see from the pictures in the listing, this 1993 Rover Sterling presents very well indeed. The British Racing Green metallic still shines keenly, and is free of any major defects. Of course, this car has covered over 94k, so there are some ‘signs of life’ if you will, but nothing to worry about. For example, there is one small rust spot on the lower edge of the driver’s door. 

There are also some marks and small imperfections at the nose, owing to the mileage. And on the flanks, there is some ever so slight cracking of the lacquer. But as you can see, the car still polishes up exceptionally well. Finally, the black sections of the A and B pillars may benefit from a new coat. But that’s it. 

The glass, the door surrounds and rubbers, the alloy wheels, the body fittings and so on are all excellent. The scuttle is free of corrosion (an irreplaceable weakness on the 800), the bumpers sit true and haven’t dropped as many do, the panel gaps are all excellent and, quite simply, it is a stunning car as a result. So stunning, in fact, that it was in the ‘100 Years of Cowley’ parade, as you can see from the pictures. It’s a very special car indeed. 

Open the impressively large bonnet and you’re greeted by that bastion of refinement and reliability - the C27A Honda 2.7 V6. A silky smooth power plant, this one looks to be in good order, and certainly sounds strong and healthy. There is some ‘tick’ on start up, but this soon vanishes as the oil circulates. It gets to temperature with ease, and stays there. Cooling fans kick in as they should. There are no groans or grumbles, nor any untoward smells or leaks. 

We’re assured by the seller that the automatic transmission performs as it should, the suspension is all in good health, the brakes are on point and on the whole, it’s a simply lovely thing to drive. The service history shows that the car has been regularly serviced, and has also lived a life of wanting for nothing. The cambelt was last done in 2011, at 87,445 miles, so is nowhere near in need of replacement in terms of mileage, but you may want to look into it on the basis of age. However, the car has lived indoors, in a controlled temperature, so hasn't been subjected to the same fluctuations as a ‘normal’ car. 

It’s a certainty that this car was supplied to Buckingham Palace, but perhaps more anecdotal as to whether or not the Queen herself drove it. We did reach out to Sandringham and as you might anticipate, they would neither confirm nor deny. But even if the monarchy leaves you cold, this car shouldn’t. 

It’s a top of the line model, it is in excellent condition and it's a car that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. If you want a Mk2 800, this is one of the better ones on the market, so don’t miss out.