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90 Years of Transport celebrated in Gravesend town centre

A vintage car featured in the new TV series The Crown goes on show tomorrow at an event marking the Queen’s 90th birthday and nine decades of transport.

It’s the Rolls-Royce classic - the State Landaulette once used by Prince Philip and the Queen Mother.

The car is used extensively in the £110 million Nextflix production that will be aired later this year.

The 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedanca de Ville
The 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedanca de Ville

Another classic Roller, the Silver Ghost Tourer, will also go on show at Gravesend’s town centre after being recently used for filming in Downton Abbey and Mr Selfridge, the latter as his daughter’s wedding car.

The cars are owned by Ivan Odds whose vintage hire firm is based in Rochester.

They, along with a range of other classics supplied by different owners, will be on display in Gravesend on Saturday positioned in the High Street, New Road, King Street, Windmill Street and at the Pier Pontoon.

Ivan Odds with his classic Silver Ghost Rolls Royce
Ivan Odds with his classic Silver Ghost Rolls Royce

One to keep an eye out for is the classic Edwardian Ford Siva, a model of which appeared in the Dr Who TV series. To celebrate river transport, there will be two tugs moored off the Pier which was built in 1834.

All proceeds will go to both the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance and Gravesend RNLI.

“I’m privileged to be invited to display two of my cars at the Gravesend event as I know they will be of great interest to the community,” said 75-year-old Mr Odds.

He has lovingly cared for his vintage fleet in a business that spans some 40 years and over 7,000 wedding bookings.

Film producers of The Crown also used another of Mr Odds cars, the 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedanca de Ville when it was used by actress Victoria Hamilton playing the Queen Mother in The Crown.

His limousines go back as far as 1914 and they have transported star names like Alan Titchmarsh, Dawn French, Lenny Henry, Stephen Fry and Jools Holland.

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