German Car Zone

Press Release
Bonhams is pleased to announce the consignment of the oldest existing Rolls-Royce in the world, a 10-horsepower, two-seater built in 1904 the very year Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was founded.

Synonymous with luxury travel, Rolls-Royce is a brand name recognized the world over as the gold standard of automobiles. As the oldest surviving model of this fabled marque, this 103-year-old car serial number 20154 is, therefore, a true motoring icon and a priceless object of automotive history.

Number 20154 was first exhibited at the Paris Salon in late 1904 and then displayed at London's Olympia Show in early 1905. Having had just three owners in the last hundred years, the car was restored by the penultimate owner in the 1950s and has been carefully cherished by the present owner for the last thirty years. This is the first time this car has ever been offered on the open market in the last century and strong interest is anticipated from major collectors worldwide. Bids in excess of $2 million are expected.

Appropriately, the car will be offered for sale in its home country of England in December, but will be on display at Bonhams auction at Quail Lodge in Carmel this month.

The 10th annual Bonhams & Butterfields Auction of Important Collectors' Motorcars will take place at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California on Friday, August 17th during the world-renown Pebble Beach Car Week.

Buyers interested in previewing the Rolls-Royce and registering to bid for any of the historic cars being offered may call the Client Services Department at 415-861-7500. Illustrated catalogs may be viewed online and purchased at Bonhams, or by calling 800-223-2854.

[Source: WCF]

Hmmmm, probably wouldn't make quite the same impression as the Phantom DHC

Finnaly the much-anticipated auction is scheduled at Bonhams & Butterfields for 3 December in London

World's Oldest 1904 Rolls-Royce Eyes Bonhams Auction House: Demands $2mn, World's Oldest Rolls-Royce, 1904 Rolls-Royce Eyes, Bonhams Auction, House, Demands $2mn

The partnership between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce has birthed more than a century of some of the finest cars the world has seen. The Silver Ghost, the Phantom, the Corniche - all hold their place in automotive and Rolls-Royce history. Now the maker is in the spotlight not for its luxury or novelty, but for its longevity.

Still running strong after 103 years, the oldest known running Rolls-Royce in the world is up for sale at Bonhams’ collectible cars and automobilia in London. The car was originally shown at The Paris Salon in late 2004, reports Reuters. Since its restoration in the 1950s, the car has been lovingly maintained. According to Tim Schofield, Bonhams’ head of UK motor sales, “the purchaser could get in and drive it away.” A jiggle of the carburetor, a turn of the starter handle, and you’re off - quite a feat for such an old machine.

Only three owners have shared the machine over the last century, and it was the last - racing star Oliver Langton - that restored it and took such excellent care of it. The original red leather and brass interior now shine like the day the two-seat open-top car was built.

If you have two million pounds burning a hole in an armored truck somewhere, and a climate-controlled garage with an empty stall, make sure you’re at Bonhams in London December 3rd. And bring truck-trailer rig. Just because you could drive it home doesn’t mean you should.