Ford Zodiacs had transported the Queen Mother during her tour in 1958 but five years on, their glitz had perhaps faded a bit too much for an actual monarch. As there was no longer a convertible version of Britain’s Zephyr or Zodiac on offer, Ford looked to their American arm for a replacement, finding it in the huge Ford Galaxie. The Public Service Garage purchased the car at around £3000 for royal tour work and VIP transport.
However, more prestige was required for the massively popular queen so the government approved the purchase of two Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousines, each at a cost of £6704. The Phantom V was the largest Rolls-Royce that the carmaker had ever built but it was still a few inches shorter than the earlier Daimlers. They reeked of opulence. English leather upholstery and French walnut trimmings, a cocktail cabinet, electric windows and air-conditioning assured the comfort of passengers; a 6.2-litre V8 engine, automatic transmission, and power steering made for a smooth ride.
They reeked of opulence. English leather upholstery and French walnut trimmings, a cocktail cabinet, electric windows
