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Tag: Rolls-Royce

ON THE BLOCK: The Amelia Island Challenge (Updated)

The Amelia Island auctions take place this Thursday, March 2, 2023 with exceptional lots being offered by Bonhams, Broad Arrow, Gooding & Company, and RM Sotheby’s. Lucky for you, your fairy godmotorhead has once again given you $230,000 to spend as you please. What will you bid on? Use the median estimate and make your picks.

Example:
At 10:00 a.m. we’ll be Bonhams looking to pick this up:

LOT 104 – 1988 Porsche 924 S Coupe

It was selected as one of our 23 For 23 For Under 23 and this example of a Porsche 924 S is exceptional with less than 20,000 miles. Finished in the more rarely seen India Red, it is an outstanding addition to any Porsche collection. Enjoyed sparingly, it will undoubtedly follow the other transaxle cars like the 928 and 968 in appreciation while being appreciated for what it is: a superb handling sports car that earned being called a Porsche.

SOLD for $24,000

Funds remaining: $225,000

We’ll stay at Bonhams and wait for our chance to buy this:

Lot 158 – 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Fixed Head Coupe

Finished in its Oscar-golden Sand coat over black leather, this Park Ward, Ltd-bodied coupe emits a classic Hollywood elegance, while its 220-hp 6.2-liter V8 and independent front suspension promise an enjoyable drive.

SOLD for $80,000

Funds remaining: $145,000


Next we’ll head down the A1A to Gooding & Company where we’ll vie for this:

LOT 41 – 1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 Junior Zagato

It’s one of only 402 Alfa Romeo 1600 Junior Zagatos and this one was a former display model at the Zagato Factory Collection showroom. Apart from a repaint in the original color, it appears as it did when it left the factory in 1973.

SOLD for $45,000

Funds remaining: $100,000

We’ll stay at Gooding where not long after acquiring Lot 41, we’ll go after another rare Italian in white:

LOT 45 – 1964 LANCIA FLAVIA 1.8 COUPE

This elegant Pininfarina-bodied 2+2 fastback evokes the lines of another Pininfarina creation, the Ferrari 250 GTE, only driven by a lightweight 1,800 cc boxer engine. It is impressively original with charming patina inside and out. Undoubtedly an immensely enjoyable drive, its rarity in the US is also certain to be an attraction at any cars & coffee or Italian car gathering.

SOLD for $28,000

Funds remaining $72,000

EDIT: We had a great day, picking up all our lots below house estimates. Instead of being left with a projected deficit of $2,500 we have a surplus of $72,000. Let’s see what we can find at newcomer Broad Arrow:

LOT 191 – 1994 Mazda RX-7 Touring

The weekend wouldn’t be complete without some Japanese representation. They have been hot in recent years, led by early Datsun 240Zs, Nissan Skyline R32s and A80 Toyota Supra Turbos. Competing with the latter was Mazda’s rotary-powered FD RX-7. Their styling is timeless; their performance and handling on par with the best of their day. But finding one that hasn’t been subjected to fast & furious modifications is a rare event and one with just over 24,000 is too hard to resist.

Median auction estimate: $65,000
Funds remaining: $7,000

ON THE ROAD: 97 Year Old Navigator Takes on Trans-America Challenge

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The Trans-America Challenge is to play host to a woman who is believed to be the world’s oldest rally navigator. 97-year-old Dorothy Caldwell will be participating on the Endurance Rally Association’s 5810-mile rally with her son Alastair in a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III.

“When we lived in England, my family was into racing – my brother did it, and then both of my sons in New Zealand. The first rally I did with Alastair was in Suffolk in 2011. It seemed like quite a simple thing to me, so when he asked if I would navigate for him on the first Trans-America Challenge back in 2012, I said I would! Since then, we’ve been to Burma for a rally and I’m about to leave for the second Trans-America Challenge as we speak.”

Dorothy’s son Alastair is a former manager of the McLaren Formula One team. He insists his mother has never attempted to ‘pull rank’ from behind the map. “We’ve never had a cross word on a rally, it’s a team effort and we work very well together.”

As navigator, Dorothy – who was awarded the prize for “Spirit of the Rally” on the 2012 Trans-America Challenge – looks after the maps, updates and trip meter. It’s a role that requires dedication and a constant state of alert; as the rally navigates a difficult route through challenging terrain. Despite her years, Dorothy takes the arduous role in her stride; and remains sharp and awake throughout regardless of the rally in question.

“I’ll only come if he takes the Rolls-Royce though,” says Dorothy. “It’s more comfortable than his sports cars, and it has air conditioning! I’m the last in my generation now; I’m starting to find it harder. I’m beginning to need glasses for distance, and as I’m in the middle of moving house I think it might be time to ease back a little. So this will probably be my last big rally.

“But Alastair tells me there’s going to be one in New Zealand soon… so I might be back for that.”

The 2nd Trans-America Challenge will begin on Sunday 7th June. The route begins in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and will finish in San Francisco, California, on Sunday 28th June. There will be 45 participants in cars ranging from a 1927 Bentley 4.5 litre to a 1973 MGBGT.

For updates on Dorothy and the progress of the Trans-America Challenge visit www.endurorally.com.

ON THE BLOCK: First Last Original Crewe-Built Rolls-Royce Headed to Silverstone

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A great piece of British automotive history is heading to auction next month when the first example of the last Rolls-Royce model to be built at the original Crewe factory goes under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions.

Estimated at between £95,000 and £105,000, the Rolls Royce Corniche, chassis number 001, was purchased by the current owner in 2001. Its first owner was Rolls-Royce themselves who are believed to have used the car for testing and development, along with promotional marketing of the new model.

A significant motorcar in the history of the marque, the last of the ‘proper Rolls-Royces’, it was the final model to be developed at the original Crewe factory when the company was still independently owned. The car was also the first Rolls Royce to be launched in the 21st Century, an era which would see, and continues to see, huge changes having been taken over by BMW in 2003.

The car will be offered at Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale on May 24th at The Wing, Silverstone Race Circuit and comes 110 years after the unveiling of the first ever Rolls-Royce, the 10HP in 1904.

Commenting on the car, Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “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.”

The interior of the car offers a degree of comfort and luxury that has become a hallmark of the brand. As regards the power train under the bonnet, there’s no modern BMW V12 unit, but a 6.75 litre V8-engine whose Chrysler origins date back to the 1950s.

Fully maintained as per Rolls Royce factory requirements, the first five stamps in the service book were completed by Rolls Royce themselves at Crewe and the total mileage of the car today is just 24,926. Presented with the car is a substantial history file of service invoices and also the official sales brochure from Rolls Royce featuring the car itself.

For more information on the car please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/2000-rolls-royce-cornich-chassis-001

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