Most Expensive Rolls-Royce Ever Sold
Everyone knows that Rolls-Royce’s don’t come cheap. They are some of the finest built vehicles on the planet, making them the epitome of luxury. While modern models are highly praised, classic ones are masterpieces that are very popular among high priced collectors. Revealing itself earlier last week, one such Rolls has made an appearance that alters the field dramatically, briefly holding the car world captive with its beauty.
The vehicle in question is a very unique 100-year old Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost known as “The Corgi.” Given the name after a toy car manufacturer copied the design for his vehicles, the model was originally bought in 1912 for £1,000 and now has gone under the hammer for a less than modest £4,705,500.
Reporters from the Telegraph have noted that the exciting sale of this car took place in Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last week. After a long duel between two bidders increasingly their offers by £100,000 increments, the car was finally sold to the famed US collector John O’Quinn.
While it may not be the best road car, managing only 15 miles to the gallon and cruising at 60 mph, the Rolls has had quite a lush history. Originally bought by John M Stephans from South Groydeon, he owner did a great deal to the bodywork. Surviving the fate of many Rolls-Royces during the period, many of which were converted into ambulances during the war, the 7.3 litre, six cylinder car eventually made its way to the auction this week.
While expert had originally predicted that the car would only make around £2 million at the auction, clearly the car managed to surprise both experts as well as car enthusiasts. James Knight from Bonhams told reports that ”this was a surprise to us – we thought it would make around £2m. There were three bidders then one of them dropped out at £2.3 million and we thought it would end there at about our estimate.”
Coming with many of the original features including headlights, rear lights, inflatable tyres, as well as carriage lights, the bodywork was designed for speed as well as elegance, ultimately running as silently as its name suggest. While many of us will never get to see, let alone own, such a vehicle, the vehicle truly is a marvel of the car world.