1977 | Rolls-Royce Camargue

Many years since we have enjoyed the pleasure of a Camargue - not surprising really when you consider that only 531 were produced in their 11 year production period

Only about 150 were destined for the home market, making this a very rare piece indeed - with my maths that makes about 14 cars each year for the UK. No wonder we haven't had one for a few years !

Most of us know that when produced these cars were the most expensive cars in the World - three times the price of a 'normal Silver Shadow' and another 50% more than a Corniche!

So you could buy a Camargue or three houses (yes that's 3) in Suburbia.......

Designed by the renowned Italian design house of Pininfarina SpA the looks at the time, and even now, are rather Marmite - you either love them or you hate them

Thankfully I have always been a positive sole and can see the beauty of their elegance - as a youngster two of my fathers chums had them (probably the only two in Hadley Wood at the time) and I had the chance to ride in them

In the mid seventies they really were an unusual vision and sitting in the back (very comfortable by the way) I was amazed at how many jaws dropping you saw from the passing pedestrians, constantly

Whatever the thoughts about her looks, for sure she has serious presence - and still today

Rolls-Royce under the guidance of Sir David Plastow had the vision to bring a car of this type to the market place, and not only did they use Pininfarina to design, they also updated the fascia along the lines of aircraft cockpits

They considered a lot of their potential buyers would also have their own private aircraft (for when all controls were in their normal settings, all indicators were all perpendicular), so that the driver (pilot) could see all was good from their peripheral vision - not taking their eyes off the road

A brave move on both areas of consideration

This particular example is finished to original specification, and completely appropriate for the late seventies too, with what was named Crown exterior complimented with Olive hides to the interior (neulla hides for the Camargue!)

She has a full history to validate her 62.500 miles only since new

Two service voucher booklets (stamped since new with her first service in March 1978), original Camargue instruction manual, a host of invoices from the early eighties onwards as well as many Mot's and various other information in the history folder

In 2021 at the Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace she won the Manufacturer's Award - enough said !

As you can see from the photo's she has very straight bodywork with great panel gaps, beautiful paintwork, bright work, interior trim, veneers and carpets. The engine bay and boot are also in correct and original condition whilst both large and small tools are kept within their respective compartments

All in all we feel this must be one of, if not, the best extant