Does Queen Elizabeth II have a rusting Ford Fiesta? Errr... no, she has a Bentley. And not one of those 'common' Bentleys footballers own – a proper bespoke one finished in Royal claret livery. Can you get that on a Fiesta? This state limousine was presented to the monarch in 2002 to celebrate her Golden Jubilee, and will work hard during her Diamond Jubilee year too. And what a remarkable gift. This beautiful Bentley has a 6.75-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine that produces 400bhp, and propels its occupants to about 130mph. Sounds perfect for roaring away from tedious ministerial meetings. Also, there is plenty of room for the Queen to hide inside from her MPs - as this Bentley is nearly one metre longer than the Arnage R that shares some of its parts. Bigger than that Ford, I bet?

Now, everybody loves a few optional extras. Whereas the Fiesta can be specified with fancy wheels - the Bentley's toys are more sophisticated. It has been armoured, for starters, and can be air-sealed to protect its occupants from gas attacks. Furthermore, this remarkable machine has puncture resistant kevlar tyres. I would like those too, please? The Bentley's interior is also special. The rear seats are upholstered with Hield Lambswool Sateen cloth, and the remaining upholstery is light grey connolly hide. Very nice, as is the pale blue rear carpet and dark blue front. But still, a Fiesta is easier to park.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here