The Land Rover Series I that Winston Churchill in 1954 on his 80e birthday gift, was auctioned by Veilinghuis Cheffin in 2012. The original registration number is the first owner with Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Spencer Churchill KG. TO. CH. MP. and its address in Chartwell near Westerham in the County of Kent.
The Land Rover was used to drive Sir Winston over his estate with a driver. The footwell is heated on the passenger side! The Land Rover, with the original UKE 80 license plate, remained on 1965's estate until Churchill's death. In June of that year, the car was transferred to ACSoames, Churchill's son-in-law. He continued to drive 1967 (on the street) until December, and then - until 1973 - on his estate in Eridge near Tonbridge Wells, also in Kent. Soames became vice president of the then EEC in 1973 and moved. The contents, including the Land Rover, were auctioned. A certain Norman Mills bought the LaRo for £ 160,00. The problem was 'How to get the car home'. Friend and neighbor Frank Quay - with a car ambulance - was called in. When he saw the Land Rover, he immediately offered double and became the new owner. The transport problem was solved immediately. The Land Rover was called on for the rest of his life to tow his daughter's horse to events with a mounted trailer. In 1977, he decided to put the car 'away' and so leave it out occasionally to liven up special events. UKE 80 has only had three owners and from now on only has 12.395 miles on the clock.