Category: Rolls Royce (Page 5 of 5)

Rock & roll superstar Freddie Mercury’s Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is to be sold by international auctioneers COYS in the Autosport International show at the NEC, Birmingham, on Saturday 12^th January.

This very special Rolls Royce Silver Shadow was bought for Freddie Mercury’s personal use by his managing company Goose Productions Ltd. in 1979 and could sell for just £11,000.

The car was last used for the Premier of the Queen musical ‘We will Rock you’ in 2002, and has covered minimal mileage since – it even comes with current MoT valid until February 2013.

This piece of Queen and rock history was one of first Rolls-Royce models to use a monocoque chassis and also to introduce many new features such as disc brakes and independent rear suspension. Freddie used this Silver Shadow until his death in November 1991 and it has remained with his family ever since.

Also featuring in the sale is a 1980 Ford Capri S from BBC sitcom ‘Only Fools and Horses’ estimated at £24,000 to £28,000. The car is exactly as seen on television with the garish green paintwork, tiger fur interior and pink aerials.

COYS will also be auctioning probably the best Allard J2 competition car coming to the market in recent times estimated at £325,000 to £375,000. Offered on the open market for the first time there will be a unique 1935 BMW Typ. 309/328 Veritas with FIA papers estimated at £250,000 to £350,000 and eligible for almost all the most prestigious events worldwide.

Other important collectors’ cars going under the hammer at Autosport include a 1935 BMW Willis Special with FIA papers estimated at £135,000 to £155,000, a 1955 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Evocazione estimated at £90,000 to £110,000, a 1974 Porsche 911 3.0 RSR Spezifikation estimated at £70,000 to £80,000, a 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 estimated at £50,000 to £60,000 and a 1986 MG Metro 6R4 estimated at £60,000 to £70,000.

The auction will also feature a large automobilia section and a number of lots from the archive of John Etheridge, a well-known figure in endurance racing during his time at Ford Advanced Vehicle and one of the world’s authorities on the Ford GT40. John collected these items in period during his time around the international motor racing circuits and the factories of the cars that he raced on.Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

Rolls-Royce celebrated the success of the Games at the Closing Ceremony last night when three Rolls-Royce motor cars sported newly-designed badges for the first time in the company’s 108-year history. The new badges, designed by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Team, replaced the traditional double R-R for the first time since the company started in 1904.

The three spectacular Phantom Series II Drophead Coupés, each appropriately finished in glorious English White, silently conveyed three coveted British artistes during the event, titled ‘A Symphony of British Music’. The artistes were hidden from view as the cars crossed the auditorium with majestic grace, before being revealed as each convertible roof gracefully descended. The cars were driven by specially-trained Rolls-Royce employees.

The new grille badge features the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy with patriotic Union Flag replacing the traditional flowing gown of the Graceful Little Goddess. The steering wheel centre includes a traditional laurel wreath and torch, and the self-righting wheel centres feature the words ‘London 2012’ surrounded by the Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’). The badges are complemented by unique tread plates identifying each car as ‘One of Three’, creating perhaps the most collectable (and unobtainable) Rolls-Royce Bespoke items ever produced.

“I am delighted that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was invited to take part in celebrating the success of the Games and it is appropriate that we should recognise this occasion with a fitting tribute,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive. “These unique cars were hand built at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood by our dedicated and passionate workforce and the whole team can take great pride in their part in making history for our company.”

• 3,538 cars delivered to customers in 2011, up 31 per cent on previous year’s 2,711
• Highest annual sales in the 107-year history of Rolls-Royce; previous best was 3,347 cars sold in 1978
• Sales growth reported across all regions with Bespoke content at highest-ever levels
• Increase in sales across both Ghost and Phantom model families
• Rolls-Royce reaffirms position at pinnacle of the ultra luxury segment

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today revealed record sales results for 2011. 3,538 cars were sold globally during the year, a 31 per cent increase on the 2010 total of 2,711 cars. The figure represents the best sales result in the company’s 107-year history; the previous record of 3,347 cars having been set in 1978 during the Silver Shadow II era.

Strong sales growth was reported across the globe, with notable results seen in Asia Pacific (up 47%), North America (up 17%) and the Middle East (up 23%). China and the United States were the most significant individual markets for Rolls-Royce. The United Kingdom performed well, reporting 30 per cent growth in the year. In Continental Europe, Germany and Russia were the largest growth markets, each more than doubling sales compared to 2010.

“We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Our business is in excellent shape. We are developing our dealer network, moving into new markets like South America, expanding our manufacturing operation in West Sussex to meet global demand and have plans to develop our product range. At the core of this extraordinary success is a dedicated, committed and, above all, passionate workforce.”

The company’s portfolio includes the pinnacle Phantom family products – Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase, Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé – and the more recently-launched Ghost range. Demand for all variants was strong. Interest in Ghost – including Ghost Extended Wheelbase, launched to wide acclaim in April – accounted for the lion’s share of 2011 growth.

2011 also marked a record for the Rolls-Royce Bespoke personalisation programme, a service with Rolls-Royce’s legendary hand-craftsmanship and attention to detail at its core. Nearly every Phantom family model leaving the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood came with some element of bespoke personalisation, from unique paint colours, interior detailing and embroidery, to exquisite whole vehicle designs including champagne sets, humidors and picnic sets.

Bespoke sales were also enhanced by two exceptional collections in 2011, the Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection and striking Year of the Dragon Phantom commissions. More Ghost clients have requested bespoke cars, creating many exceptional examples across this model range.

Last September, Rolls-Royce announced plans to expand its manufacturing plant at Goodwood, with over 1,000 people employed on site. This will help the company meet further growth in worldwide sales and satisfy demand for highly personalised Ghost and Phantom models. Expansion work will begin in February.