A 1960 Land Rover with a History at Both a Royal Castle and the Swinging ’60s Most Notorious Sex Advisors
An exciting provenance, without a doubt!
This mid-gray Land Rover 88 is a Series II, delivered in 1960 to Ulriksdal Palace Management. Ulriksdal is one of Sweden’s royal palaces, located in Solna, and at the time, it was primarily used by King Gustaf VI Adolf and his queen, Louise. The latter was of British descent, a Mountbatten, which might have influenced the choice of vehicle.
This Land Rover was in use at the palace during the teenage years of our current king, so who knows—perhaps he took it for a spin when no one was looking?
After ten years, the car was sold and ended up with owners who could not have been more different: Inge and Sten Hegeler.
For those over 65, the name “Inge & Sten” might ring a bell, but for others, a brief explanation is needed. In the mid-1960s, Sweden became internationally known for its sexual revolution, creating an image of the country as extremely sexually liberated, even though very few Swedes actually were.
At the heart of this movement were Inge & Sten, a Danish couple living in Sweden who became superstars in the field of sexual counseling. Their weekly column in Expressen was a sensation—readers could ask absolutely anything, and they did. Inge & Sten always had an answer. In addition to their newspaper columns, they wrote books and even scripts for films, which were essentially pornography disguised as education.
In 1970, Inge & Sten bought this Land Rover, making them the second owners after the Swedish royal family. At the time, they lived in Småland and were at the peak of their fame. One can only imagine the intriguing relationship discussions that might have taken place in this car!
Eventually, the Land Rover ended up with an enthusiast in the Gothenburg area, someone with extensive knowledge of these vehicles. A careful restoration was started, and today, the car maintains a rustic appearance, where usability has been prioritized. A Land Rover from this era is built for pure function and simplicity, while still exuding a sense of indestructibility.
Under the hood sits the larger of the two petrol engine options—a 2.3-liter unit producing 77 horsepower.
The roof is removable, and the windshield can be folded down, offering the perfect opportunity to get up close with nature. A highly sought-after accessory is also mounted on the car: a period-correct capstan winch, a feature prized among Land Rover enthusiasts. Adding to its originality, the registration plates from the 1973 system update remain on the car, a delightful period detail.
Read more about the car here: Land Rover 88 Series II — 1960
