I am lead to believe that the HPI and DVLA model descriptions listed will show the basic trim spec (e.g. SE, HSE, Vogue or Vogue SE) in addition to the variant (V8, TD6, SC, etc).

The Auto or A at the end is normally an indication of the transmission type and not that it is an Autobiography as the data inputter has a set template to follow when registering new vehicles.

Dan, are you able to confirm what your V5 says as the model?

As Gaz has said in another thread an Autobiography is a well dressed Vogue SE. The basic spec is the same but pre 09MY the purchaser was able to specify an customisations they wished. Yes any and LR would accommodate them, for a price obviously. The vehicle is hand painted and finished and the leather used on the interior was of a much higher quality. As has been said Previously you only needed one small customisation to make your vehicle an A/B so that could have been a £1500 duo tone steering wheel or £25K for a bespoke paint colour.

As for wheels and vents, there was only one set of A/B wheels that were reserved for A/B customers. These were BBS split rims that were diamond finished and cost about £1K each. Most A/B vehicles were supplied with standard Vogue SE or SC wheels. A/B customers had the option of body coloured vents (they still do i think) and grille, I think that they could also specify body coloured door handles.

On the interior you could have a duo tone steering wheel to match you seats, piping and centre seat panel, colour coordinated grab handles, gear shift and handbrake gaiter. You could have custom embroidery on head rest (classy...) and the door cards had extra colour coordinated leather. You were also supplied with a matching leather handbook binder. The extended wood pack was included as standard and you has a choice of 4 extra wood finished over the standard walnut and Cherry (Grand Black Lacquer, Lined Oak Anthracite, Burr Maple Prussian Blue and Vavona Amber)

Lastly you had A/B sill plates, The A/B boot badge, The solid silver A/B keyring and the option of luxury sheep skin footwell mats!

After 09MY A/B was incorporated into the model line up and as such is no longer dealt with by LR special vehicles when ordering. The truly bespoke option has been removed and there is now an extended A/B options list to personalise your vehicle. The basic spec remains the same as a Vogue SE. 06MY 4.4 V8 Autobiography Cairns Blue with Navy & Parchment Interior

I'll check my V5 this eve...

There should be (with the exception of yours Steve, but yours is an "oddity") a plate on the slam panel from LR special vehicles with your AB serial number.

Microcat should give a clear definitive answer as to whether it is or isnt:


Vehicle Spec - Minor Features by d86cfv, on Flickr

It will of course also verify whether someone has got an HSE and stuck Vogue badges on it etc. If you know nothing about RR's then you could easily be fooled into buying something it isn't. 

To confirm - my log book does not say the car is an Autobiography. Just that it is an Auto(matic).