Queen’s Jaguar X-Type gifted to Comic Relief by Chris Evans returns to auction

The Jaguar X-Type station wagon, once owned and driven by Queen Elizabeth II, which was bought at auction by Chris Evans last year and then donated to raise money for charity, will return to the block later this month where it will be sold without reserve.

Evans won the ‘Emerald Fire’ green Jag at a Historics auction in November for £43,000 before donating it to Comic Relief for its Red Nose Day appeal.

Having raised nearly £300,000 for charity, the car will come full circle when it returns to the block on July 22, where it will be sold at a mere 72,975 miles on the clock – many of them with Her Majesty on board.

The total proceeds from the sale will again be donated to charity by the seller who won the vehicle on Red Nose Day after donating it.

Chris Evans’ CarFest donated the Queen’s Jaguar estate to Comic Relief in March to raise money for charity (stock image)

The 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate features ‘Emerald Fire’ green paintwork and has driven almost 73,000 in its 14-year life

Inside, the Jag features a range of traditional wood effect finishes. The petrol engine is linked to an automatic gearbox

Under the bonnet, the car features a 3.0-litre V6 engine – the largest and most powerful available in the range when the X-Type was produced between 2001 and 2009

The boot has a protective liner designed to keep the compartment clean when transporting dogs. It suggests that Her Majesty might have used it when she moved around with her beloved corgis

Evans paid about seven times the value of a standard Jaguar X-Type when he made his winning bid for Her Majesty’s Jaguar in November.

Speaking about donating the car to charity through his CarFest event, he said, “I’m so thankful that CarFest is able to support Comic Relief and I’m thrilled that we can donate this very special historic car, and so happy to be able to share it with another enthusiast, especially for such an important cause.’

The winner of the car on Red Nose Day (17 March) was Jane Lewis of Broadstone, Dorset, who was one of thousands to donate.

It wasn’t until the car was delivered to her and her husband Bob that she realized her happiness.

“I have to admit I thought it was a Comic Relief joke when I got the call saying I had won Her Majesty The Queen’s Jaguar,” she said.

“Once over the shock of winning it was such a joy to drive but it deserves to be in the care of an avid collector so we have decided to sell it back and make a donation to a good cause,” she added.

The car has driven less than 500 miles since it was offered by Historic Auctioneers last November

The Queen was photographed in the car last March when she was driven to take her corgis for a walk in Frogmore Gardens, just months before her death in September

The backseat in the 14-year-old car looks immaculate, as do the door panels, carpets and wood trim

While it’s not possible to buy your access to the throne, one bidder can take a seat in the late Queen’s old driver’s seat when the vehicle goes to the block later this month.

It will be on display at Historics’ Summer Sale at Windsorview Lakes on July 22 – fittingly just a few miles from Windsor Castle – offering another chance to own an exceptional piece of history.

As before, it will be offered without reserve, meaning it should generate huge interest in what is essentially a 1990s family car.

Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief said: ‘This was without a doubt an award like no other, and the response from our supporters really reflected that.

‘With tens of thousands of entries we were able to raise almost £300,000 to help so many people going through incredibly difficult times in the UK and around the world.

“It’s an amazing amount and we are so grateful to Jane and everyone who has donated. It’s great to hear of her plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to another charity and we hope the new owner enjoys it.”

For a car that is 14 years old, the body looks immaculate. The five-spoke alloy wheels have no curb marks and the bike passed its MOT in April with no warnings

In addition to the extensive service history, the car comes with two sets of keys, one of which shows some royal signs of use

As befits a car once owned by a monarch, it has a ‘Barley’ tan leather interior and a range of comforts such as a sunroof, climate control, electric windows and an automatic transmission.

It also has a protective trunk mat, which would have been used to keep the compartment clean when transporting the Queen’s beloved corgis.

It was reportedly kept in Her Majesty’s fleet as a backup vehicle for her beloved Land Rover, suggesting it was the dependable workhorse she would turn to when the 4X4 became problematic.

It is being sold with much original documentation, including the booklet stating its former registration as ‘PYN IF’ during his royal service, which can also be seen in photos with HM The Queen at the wheel.

He successfully passed an MOT in April without advice.