Time for a quick look at some recent Rolls-Royce news which some readers may have missed.
First, Rolls' famed mascot, known both as the Spirit of Ecstasy and/or The Flying Lady, has taken on some bling in this era of hip-hop, all good and subtle taste be damned. It's a one-of-a-kind diamond version of the Rolls-Royce mascot designed by Manhattan jeweler Jean Kemanjian and is exclusive to New York City's Manhattan Motorcars. Called "The Spirit of Ecstasy," it measures 4"h x 2"w and consists of mostly diamonds and platinum, plus a few other rare metals. Valued at $200,000. We wonder if Kemanjian's Flying Lady will fit into the "bomb shelter" which the mascot on the latest Rolls' lowers into when the driver so desires, or if that part of the new Phantom's massive grillwork also has to be somehow reworked, though from the photo it looks like it'll fit nicely. (Photos --- Above, The $200,000 jewel-encrusted Spirit of Ecstasy; Below, the fourth-ever Rolls-Royce built sold for almost $7 million at a recent London auction).
When it comes to headlines like these: "Oldest Rolls sells for record sum; The car is in perfect running
condition, says (UK auction house) Bonhams," we're always more than a bit suspicious. There are, admittedly, a huge percentage of all the Rolls-Royce machines ever built still in existence and operated on daily basis; some say this figure is as high as 75%. Many of these vehicles are owned privately, many by museums, some are owned by various groups, clubs, trusts and other kinds of organizations. Because there are so many cars and so many owners (and so many restorations), and with the cars being scattered throughout the world, whenever a Roller sells for a big price at auction, some smart headline writer or newspaper editor (or Rolls PR person) will find some reason for that particular car to have set some sort of "world record."
For more on the original 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and the 1904 machine which sold at auction for almost $7 million, click below.
(Photo --- A celebratory postcard commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1907, and original, Silver Ghost, the car featured in Reg Abbiss' new book on the company and its history).
In his wonderful new book, "Rolls-Royce From the Inside --- The Humour, The Myths, The Truths", Reg Abbiss, a long-time BBC print and radio journalist who also spent 16 years as the North American public relations representative for the company, recounts in one chapter, at length and great detail, the history of what is probably the single most-valuable Roller, one which will never see an auction block. You may also know Reg from his serving as host on various programs on Speed Channel TV in the USA. His new book is a must-have for the library of not only any Rolls-Royce lover, but anyone who appreciates all special cars, their histories, what goes into making some cars "instant classics" and why some specific cars will always be on every collector's wish list (check Amazon.com for the book ... And order now for this year's holiday season; make sure the publisher, Tempus, prints enough of the USD$37.95 books for the coming demand). (Photo --- Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1907 Silver Ghost, numerous Silver Ghost models produced between 1907 and 1925 gathered at the new RR facility on the Goodwood Estate; the Silver Ghost name did not become official, at least as far as the factory was concerned, until the all-new Phantom models began production in 1926).
Reg's book tells us that Rolls-Royce owns what the company claims is the oldest still-running, factory-
maintained car from their plant, a 1907 Silver Ghost. Built by the company's chief engineer, Henry Royce, and one of very few cars driven by both Royce and his marketing partner, Charles Rolls, the Silver Ghost was put through numerous "endurance runs" in England and other countries to develop the make's reputation for performance, reliability ... and quiet. One journalist of the time who drove in this first Silver Ghost noted that the only sound in the open car, with the engine running, was the "ticking of the mechanical clock". Known as both the Silver Ghost and AX 201, the number plate on the front of the car, Rolls-Royce chassis #551 is a 7-liter six-cylinder, 40/50 horsepower open tourer and is the first in a line of 7,874 Silver Ghosts which would be built during an 18-year production run. Lawrence of Arabia said his fleet of "armoured Silver Ghosts were more valuable than rubies" in the world's harshest desert habitat, and he used the company's vehicles exclusively whenever possible. You might say he was the world's first "sponsored" off-road driver. (Photo --- Another commemorative postcard made for the Silver Ghost's 100th anniversary in 2007; this is a rare "ghost" view of the Ghost).
We rode in the car during a segment for KTLA/TV5 in Los Angeles in the mid-1990s. Dennis Miller-Williams was at the helm; he "lives" with the car on all its travels and at the Rolls-Royce factory and museum. Miller-Williams is the only person in the world permitted to drive the car. Abbiss told us that the company insures the car for "over $20 million," and the Silver Ghost still regularly tours the world. Abbiss' recounting of many of his experiences with the Silver Ghost throughout America make for the best kind of automotive story-telling. (Photo --- Not another $200,000 diamond-encrusted Flying Lady mascot, but one in the traditional and grand style which was found on earlier Rolls-Royce models).
Here's a bit more about the car from other sources: AX201 was sold in 1908 to a private customer and
recovered by the company in 1948. Since then, it has been used as a publicity car and traveled worldwide. In 1989, the car was restored by SC Gordon Coachbuilders Luton, and P&A Wood, London, UK. In 1984, the car was photographed in great detail whilst in storage in Luton (UK) by precision model makers Franklin Mint. This went on to become one of their best selling products. The Silver Ghost is considered the most valuable car in the world; in 2005 its insured value was placed at USD$35 million.
As for this specific car which was sold at a London auction recently, here's the BBC story: The world's oldest surviving Rolls Royce car has driven away with two records after it sold at auction in London for £3.5m (currently USD$6,802,887). The price is the highest ever paid for a car built before 1905 and is also the most for a Rolls Royce. The open-topped two seater was the fourth vehicle built by the new Charles Rolls and Henry Royce after they began work together in 1904.
An anonymous British collector paid twice the auctioneer's estimate. Two telephone bidders drove the price up to its record-breaking high in a thrilling bidding war, said a Bonhams auction house spokesman. The veteran car has had only three careful owners and is in perfect condition, said another Bonhams official. (Photo --- This is the 1904 Rolls-Royce which recently sold for $6.8 million, highest-price ever paid for a pre-1905 car of any make or model, and most-ever paid for any classic Rolls-Royce).
"The purchaser could get in and drive it away," Tim Schofield, head of UK motor sales for Bonhams, told Reuters news agency. "You would just need to tickle the carburettor, make sure the battery has a bit of life in it, remove the sleeve from the starter handle and give it a couple of turns."
The previous record for a veteran car built before 1905 was £1.76m (current USD3,421,328) paid for a 1884 De Dion Bouton (a French car). The most a Rolls Royce has previously fetched was £1.48m (current USD2,876,982) for a 1912 Silver Ghost Double Pullman Limousine. (End of BBC story).
Even the over-100-year old Silver Ghost has moments of mystery in its past, and because the pricing of
a classic car is a totally subjective thing, it's necessary to take all automotive claims of "oldest" and "most expensive ever sold" with more than a dash of salt. But they sure are fun, aren't they?
(Photo --- Not the original Silver Ghost, but a later Silver Ghost model manned by some very hearty-looking gentlemen explorers).
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