A look back at the royal wedding cars

May 4, 2011 By Trudi Johnson
Newlywed Royals Leave Wedding Reception

The best of British motoring was showcased on Friday as a fleet of luxury weddings cars chauffeured the royal family and the Middletons to Westminster Abbey to witness the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The bride and her father arrived in a 1977 Rolls Royce Phantom belonging to the Queen. The vintage Phantom VI was gifted to Queen by the British Auto Industry on her Silver Jubilee which marked her 25th year on the throne.

The same Rolls Royce hit the headlines before Christmas after it was targeted by a mob of protesters in London as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall travelled to the Royal Variety Performance. The vintage limo was repaired following the attack in time for the royal nuptials.

The Queen and Prince Phillip and Prince William and Prince Harry arrived at the ceremony in a pair of custom made Bentleys while Prince Charles and Camilla travelled in the oldest car amongst the royal wedding day fleet, a Rolls Royce Phantom lV built in 1950.

After the wedding reception at Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds sped off to Clarence House with Prince William behind the wheel of his father’s classic 1969 Aston Martin sports car. The rare Aston Martin DB6 Volante MKll is believed to be one of only 38 ever made and was a gift to Prince Charles from the Queen on his 21st birthday.

The vintage sports car was decked out with L plates, balloons and red white and blue ribbons especially for the newlywed’s ride through London following the royal nuptials.

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Axl Rose being sued by car rental firm over hired Bentley

October 27, 2010 By Trudi Johnson
bentley-flying-spur

Guns N’ Roses front man, Axl Rose, is being sued by a car rental company after he hired a luxury Bentley Flying Spur and returned it in a terrible state of disrepair.

The rock singer hired the luxury car in 2006, but 4 years on, the car rental company are still waiting to for Axl Rose to settle up the $73,976 bill he racked up during the rental period.

According to the legal papers filed against the singer in the US, the car hire company states the Bentley was returned with a cracked windscreen, damage to two tyres, smashed tail light, broken remote control key to lock the vehicle, and numerous dents, bumps and scratches over the bumpers and doors.

The legal papers have been filed at Los Angeles County Supreme Court pending the case coming to court. As yet, there’s been no word from Axl Rose’s camp regarding the allegations.

The Guns N’ Roses star is also alleged to have run over his mileage limit by 42,397 miles in the top of the range Bentley Flying Spur estimated to have been worth $192,000.

It’s believed Axl originally hired the car in 2005, but went over his hire period, finally retuning the car to the hire firm in 2006.

The car hire company, Bentley Financial Services, is attempting to claim damages from the musician totalling $75,000.

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Tom Jones to re-take his driving test in a £115k Bentley

July 23, 2010 By Carl Wheeler
It's reported that the Welsh singer will re-take his driving test in his luxury Bentley

It's reported that the Welsh singer will re-take his driving test in his luxury Bentley

Legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones is about to re-take his driving test after turning 70 last month.

Although the Kiss singer holds a full UK driving licence, if he wants to continue driving in the States, where he currently lives, then the law says everyone must be re-tested when they reach their 70th birthday.

The Pontypridd born star hit the milestone birthday on June 10th and says he’s been polishing up his driving skills and knowledge ahead of the forthcoming test.

As part of the driving test reassessment in the US, drivers must undergo a full written examination, an eye test, and a practical driving assessment. However the 70-year-old veteran, who will reportedly take his test in his £115,000 luxury Bentley, says he’s confident he’ll pass as he explained: “I feel prepared. I’ve been driving since I was 25 and I’ve re-read the book. There’s not much more I can do. They’ll certainly have a shock when I get in the car”

Tom has been caught out by a motoring offence in the past. Back in the 60’s when the young Tom Jones was starting to make a name for himself, he was caught driving back to his home in Wales without a licence or insurance and subsequently, received a driving ban.

It seems the world renowned singer isn’t too concerned about not passing his driving test re-take as he has a plan B; his chauffeur driven limousine.

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Son creates specially adapted Bentley hearse for father’s last journey

January 24, 2010 By Carl Wheeler

Eddie Ewart was a great admirer of the Bentley

For classic car enthusiast Eddie Ewart, no ordinary hearse would do. The hotelier from Edinburgh had enjoyed a life-long passion for the luxury car brand, Bentley, so it was only fitting he should make his final journey in one.

Mr Ewart’s son shared his father’s love of cars and even altered the Bentley himself so as to use it as a hearse for the 75-year-old. Fraser Ewart said he’d had searched for a Bentley hearse but couldn’t find one in the local area, so there was only one thing he could do, as he explained: “I rolled my sleeves up and transformed the last one he owned.”

Eddie Ewart had spent much of his life tinkering with classic cars, but the Bentley had stood out as a favourite for him. Cars were an important part of his life, so much so that his younger son Gordon recalled him saying: “he would love to go early rather than not drive. Safe journey, then.”

The specially adapted Bentley R-Type 1953 saloon transported the coffin to the crematorium. More than 400 fellow car enthusiast, friends, and relatives turned out to bid farewell to the much loved man. A jazz trio then played When The Saints Go Marching In, as they entered the building. Son Fraser said it would have been, “the way he’d want to go.”

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Chrysler (Baby Bentley) limo hire receives stamp of approval

August 28, 2009 By Kate Owen
Police footage captures the moment a limousine thief is detained
The new Chrysler Icon Illusion Limo fully approved by VOSA

The new Chrysler Icon Illusion Limo fully approved by VOSA

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has issued its approval to the new Chrysler limo. The 300c- based Icon Illusion limo is now the first stretch vehicle in its category to be fully sanctioned by the agency. Many believe the move will provide a much needed boost to the U.K limo hire industry.

The Chrysler Icon Illusion seats 8 passengers and has a price tag of £56,995 (excluding VAT) and a second limo is scheduled to be premiered at major transport industry event, Drive 09, at the end of September.

These new and improved Chrysler Limos offer many benefits over previous models. The Icon Illusion is 25% more fuel efficient in comparison to the Lincoln Town Car limo. These new models also feature the latest in cutting edge technology including touch screen panels, reversing cameras and hidden opera lights in the rear.

Mark Farrell the Managing Director of 1st 4Limo Sales who manufacture the limo explained why it was vital the Chrysler obtain this approval. He revealed that the VOSA had tightened its rules in recent times to improve the safety of luxury limos and limit their impact upon the environment. All new limos must now comply with these regulations and be issued with an Individual Vehicle (IVA) and Special Vehicle (SVA) approval in order to be allowed for use on U.K roads.

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Dodge Charger and new Party Bus limo to be revealed at Drive ’09

August 27, 2009 By Paul Gibson
Grand Illusion Party Bus Limo
Grand Illusion Party Bus Limo

Grand Illusion Party Bus Limo

1st4Limosales is unveiling and launching a brand-new stretch limousine at Drive 09, built specifically for the UK market. 

As well as the launch of the The new Dodge Charger 120 inch stretch (Icon Demon), 1st4Limosales’s will also be launching their top quality, high impact and fully C.O.I.F.’ed, 16 passenger Grand Illusion Limo Coach/Limo Party Bus.

1st4Limoslaes is ECB’s UK exclusive dealer.  ECB is recognised as the world’s premier stretch limousine builder, made famous by its stunning range of ICON stretch limousines.

More details are available at the official show website: drive09.co.uk

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The new Bentley could become the most exclusive wedding car in the U.K

August 20, 2009 By Kate Owen
Eddie Ewart was a great admirer of the Bentley
The new Bentley Mulsanne, could this be the most exclusive wedding car in the U.K?

The new Bentley Mulsanne, could this be the most exclusive wedding car in the U.K?

Luxury car manufacturer, Bentley, revealed its latest offering last week. The £200,000 supercar was unveiled at the exclusive Pebble Beach “Concours D’Elegance” in California, the place to shop if you’re super rich or super famous, it showcases the latest lavish vehicles available.

Bentley has a long a rich tradition within the U.K and is the most popular choice for wedding cars. Bentley wedding cars are in high demand, especially through the summer months which is peak wedding season. The Baby Bentley limo and the Bentley Flying Spur are firm favourites within the wedding car industry, however this new and improved Bentley Mulsanne is likely to blow the competition out of the water.

The new Bentley Mulsanne will be at the forefront of the Bentley line-up. It takes over from the Bentley Arnage, a previous best seller for the U.K firm. The Mulsanne is also due to be premiered at The Frankfurt Motor Show in September in a bid to corner the affluent European market. However those who do fancy making the New Bentley Mulsanne their own will have to wait a while, the vehicle won’t go on sale until mid 2010.

Bentley has suffered as a result of the economic downturn. It is hoped that this innovative new automobile described as “the purest Bentley since the 1930’s” will help the iconic firm regain some of its losses. Designed and built on British soil, in Crewe to be precise, the success of the Mulsanne would provide a huge boost for the U.K economy and safeguard thousands of jobs.

With top speeds of 200mph, 0-60 in less than six second and over 500 break horse power, this new Bentley packs one hell of a punch. However the thirsty car only manages 15mpg so you’ll have to save up your pennies before you let loose on the open road.

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New Dodge Charger Icon Demon Limo could be the new Chrysler 300 limo

August 13, 2009 By TJ Harris
ECB

ECBECB (Executive Coach Builders) who operate out of a 100,000 sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Springfield, Missouri has announced it will be unveiling an exclusive product for the UK limousine market at Drive ‘09 show.

A stretched Dodge Charger called the Icon Demon has been specifically designed and manufactured for the UK, and promises to be the new ‘Chrysler 300’ according the UK agent, 1st 4 Limo Sales based in Essex.

Managing Director, Mark Farrell commented; “This vehicle is what everyone has been waiting for. Since the Chrysler 300c hit the scene some years ago, it has almost wiped-out the Lincoln Town Car. This vehicle will do the same with its under £60,000 price tag, and we are both excited and very proud to be launching it at Drive ‘09”

The company has been working alongside the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to produce the 120 inch Demon limousine which will be offered with an Independent Vehicle Approval (IVA).

1st 4 Limo Sales has recently signed a distribution agreement with Executive Coach Builders to become the sole UK and European distributors of ECB limos. The company also has exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the new Charger and new Icon Illusion vehicles.

ECB are the second largest limousine manufacturer in the world and very well known for producing some of the worlds best luxury limos from, Ford, Lincoln, Cadillac, Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Bentley, BMW and Hummer chassis’, ECB takes great pride in delivering a quality product. As , ECB manufactures about 15% of the world’s limousines.

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