Photo: Silverstone Auctions
As usual, Silverstone Auctions' next sale will be packed with gorgeous, exquisite and expensive automobiles. If you're in the market for a drop-top Roller, then look no further. At the 24 May Sale taking place in The Wing building on the grounds of the infamous Silverstone racing circuit, a very special Rolls-Royce model will go under the hammer.
We're talking about the chassis number 001 fifth generation Rolls-Royce Corniche. It's the only modern Rolls developed under VW ownership, before the British luxury marque was acquired by BMW in 2003.
It also is the very last model to bear the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament to be manufactured at the Crewe plant before the facility was transformed in a Bentley factory. It was first owned by the Rolls-Royce Motor Company itself, being used for testing and development, along with promotional marketing of the model.
Showing only 24,926 miles on the odometer, this Corniche has seen its last service visit in May 2013 and it's in perfect working condition. The car also comes with a substantial history file of service invoices.
Even though this model had a base price of £213,443 ($359,000) in 2000, Silverstone Auctions estimates this first of 374 Corniches ever made to sell for a maximum of £105,000 ($176,605 at current rates).
A 6.75-liter turbocharged V8 with 325 horsepower and 738 Nm (544 lb-ft) of torque powers this 6,836 lb (3,101 kg) luxurious machine. Top speed is limited at 135 mph (215 km/h), while 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) comes in a mere eight seconds.
The interior is all wrapped in high quality Connolly leather, complemented by a red leather four-spoke steering wheel, Wilton wool carpets, exotic wood trim and polished chrome inserts. Other features include dual automatic climate control, a six-disc CD changer, automatic ride control and headlamps.
Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, commented: "It’s a delight to be able to offer such a historically significant motor car for auction. Rolls-Royce is truly one of the world’s most admired car marques and it’s fantastic to be able to play a part in the history of a very significant example."
It also is the very last model to bear the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament to be manufactured at the Crewe plant before the facility was transformed in a Bentley factory. It was first owned by the Rolls-Royce Motor Company itself, being used for testing and development, along with promotional marketing of the model.
Showing only 24,926 miles on the odometer, this Corniche has seen its last service visit in May 2013 and it's in perfect working condition. The car also comes with a substantial history file of service invoices.
Even though this model had a base price of £213,443 ($359,000) in 2000, Silverstone Auctions estimates this first of 374 Corniches ever made to sell for a maximum of £105,000 ($176,605 at current rates).
The interior is all wrapped in high quality Connolly leather, complemented by a red leather four-spoke steering wheel, Wilton wool carpets, exotic wood trim and polished chrome inserts. Other features include dual automatic climate control, a six-disc CD changer, automatic ride control and headlamps.
Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, commented: "It’s a delight to be able to offer such a historically significant motor car for auction. Rolls-Royce is truly one of the world’s most admired car marques and it’s fantastic to be able to play a part in the history of a very significant example."
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