Bentley Motors has announced that a number of historic Rolls-Royces are to be sold at auction. The sale, due to take place at the Goodwood Revival on September 8th, includes the 1950 Phantom IV State Landaulette – chassis number 4BP5 – that was used extensively by the Royal Family before moving to the RREC’s Hunt House headquarters, where it has been on loan to the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation for the last ten years.
The landaulette bodywork was fitted by Hooper & Co, and the car became a well-known favourite of Her Majesty The Queen’s. Measuring 19 feet and 10 inches (6.05 metres) bumper to bumper, and tipping the scales at 6045lb (2742kg), this one-off special can ‘still propel its occupants in drawing room comfort at over 110 mph’, according to the RREC. The Phantom IV – which has been owned by Bentley Motors since 2000 – is being auctioned by Bonhams and is expected to make between £1m and £2m.
Also likely to attract strong bidding is the 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V ‘High Roof’ State Limousine that is being sold via the same Bonhams sale, estimated at between £1m and £1.5m. Six other Rolls-Royces from the Bentley Motors collection will also be offered, including a 2002 Corniche Convertible (officially the last Rolls-Royce ever built at Crewe), which is expected to make between £180,000 and £220,000, plus the last ever Silver Seraph produced – with just 128 miles recorded and an estimate of £70,000- 100,000. A long-wheelbase Silver Seraph Park Ward (also from 2002) is expected to sell for £70,000-110,000, while the very last Corniche IV is likely to achieve up to £250,000. A 1985 Silver Spur Centenary (said to be the 100,000th Rolls-Royce built) carries an estimate of £80,000-100,000, while a 1979 Phantom VI (a car that has been used on occasions by the Royal Household) has the potential to make £400,000-600,000.
Malcolm Barber, co-chairman of Bonhams, commented: “This is a remarkable collection of cars, and one that beautifully illustrates the history of one of the most celebrated and prestigious companies in the world. Rolls-Royces have been present at countless historic events in recent British history, and the heritage fleet encapsulates the most significant models produced by the marque.’
For further details of the forthcoming Bonhams sale at the Goodwood Revival, go to www. bonhams.com/auctions
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What’s your opinion of Bentley Motors’ decision to sell eight significant Rolls-Royces from its heritage collection? Does it make sense, given the fact that Rolls- Royce is a separate marque – or perhaps you think Bentley should have retained the cars? We’d love to hear your views. Drop us an email ([email protected]) and we’ll publish a selection in the next issue.
Bentley Motors is selling this Phantom IV State Landaulette, as used by the Royal Family. The world-famous Phantom IV is expected to achieve between £1m and £2m.
The Phantom V State Limousine used by HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh could fetch up to £1.5m. This 1995 Corniche IV is likely to make £200,000- 250,000 at Goodwood. Among the eight Rolls-Royces being sold by Bentley Motors is this 1979 Phantom VI. The very last Silver Seraph to roll out of Crewe carries an estimate of £70,000-100,000.
