RM Sotheby’s ‘A Passion for Elegance’ Sale Smashes Pre-Sale Expectations Grossing Chf11.1 Million


Lot 119 - 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom III s_n 218AMS Est. SFr  1,300,000 - 1,750,000 - Sold SFr 1,580,000

Lot 119 - 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom III s_n 218AMS Est. SFr 1,300,000 - 1,750,000 - Sold SFr 1,580,000

 

LONDON, England, 22 June, 2021

RM Sotheby’s enjoyed a successful night of results at its Passion for Elegance sale, held in Liechtenstein on 19th June. The 26-lot sale, which represented a unique, single-owner collection of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars, and one of the finest collections of luxury British automobiles to ever be publicly offered for sale. Pre-sale interest in the cars was, naturally, very high, but the results achieved on the day were particularly strong.

The top-selling lot was also the most notable in terms of exceeding its estimate. The 1954 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Limousine 'Princess Margaret' by H.J. Mulliner is one of only 18 Phantom IVs produced, and a car which was the exclusive domain for world leaders and Royalty. Of particular interest to collectors is the fact that the example offered was built for HRH, Princess Margaret, completed and delivered to her in 1954, boasting a plethora of bespoke, luxury features, befitting her position as a senior member of the British Royal family. It is a car Princess Margaret retained for 13 years and which covered 27,000 miles in her ownership, and in which she was frequently seen and photographed. With few subsequent owners and offered in largely original condition, this Phantom IV Limousine is rare in the extreme and was secured for a remarkable CHF2,255,000 (€2,081,365), a world-record for a Phantom IV offered at auction and a figure that saw the car smash its pre-sale estimate of CHF400,00 – CHF600,00.

Another star of the sale was the 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Special Town Car by Brewster, a one-off design and the first and only of the three special town cars built that still retain their original coachwork. Created for American millionaire, Matthew Dick of Washington D.C., this one-off car, which cost an astonishing $31,000 in 1933, sold very well at mid estimate, bringing CHF1,580,000.00 (€1,458,340).

Two other lots in the sale exceeded CH1,000,000, with the third top-selling lot in the sale being the 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupé. Considered by many to be one the finest of all post-war Bentleys, and another undoubted highlight of the sale, the exceptional example offered is one of only 94 produced and was the worthy recipient of a winning bid of CHF1,220,000.00 (€1,126,000). The final lot to exceed CHF1M was the 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé Adaptation by H.J. Mulliner, which was purchased new for iconic actress Sophia Loren by her husband, Carlo Ponti. With full documentation, this car boasts incredible provenance and featured with Ms. Loren in Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and is one of only 25 original left-hand-drive models produced. It is not a surprise that this car attracted a great deal of interest, but it’s final selling price of CHF1,045,625.00 (€965,111), makes it another car in the sale to double its pre-sale estimate of CHF530,000-CHF660,00.

Tonnie Van der Velden, car specialist at RM Sotheby’s says: “Above all else, we always endeavour to achieve the best possible results for our clients, and we have an enviable reputation as the leading specialists for selling single-owner collections. This was a stunning collection of cars that represented one man’s passion for the Rolls-Royce and Bentley marques, and we are delighted all the cars sold so well. It is also a significant indication that the market for these luxurious British cars is extremely robust, and it reinforces RM Sotheby’s credentials in this area of the market.”

 

Lot

Description

Chassis #

Estimate

Price
incl. Buyer’s Premium

102

1953 Bentley R Type

B11SP

Sfr  35,000 - 50,000
(NR)

Sfr 74,750

103

1963 Bentley S3 Saloon

B750CN

Sfr  45,000 - 65,000
(NR)

Sfr 80,500

104

1947 Bentley Mark V

B42Ak

Sfr  220,000 - 260,000
(NR)

Sfr 286,250

105

1952 Bentley Mark V

B260MD

Sfr  150,000 - 200,000
(NR)

Sfr 207,000

106

1937 Bentley 4 Litre

B127JY

Sfr  110,000 - 150,000
(NR)

Sfr 115,000

107

1958 Bentley S1 Continental

BC15FM

Sfr  900,000 - 1,200,000

Sfr 1,220,000

108

1929 Rolls-Royce 20 HP 'Prince of Wales' Three-Position Cabriolet

GFN35

Sfr  65,000 - 110,000
(NR)

Sfr 126,500

109

1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

LALW16

 Sfr  65,000 - 110,000
(NR)

Sfr 97,750

110

1954 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV

4BP7

Sfr  400,000 - 600,000

Sfr 2,255,000

111

1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer

80EE

Sfr  175,000 - 220,000
(NR)

Sfr 342,500

112

1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith

WXA107

Sfr  260,000 - 350,000
(NR)

Sfr 342,500

113

1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

3BT187

Sfr  260,000 - 350,000

Sfr 455,000

114

1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

SHS313C

Sfr  130,000 - 220,000
(NR)

Sfr 172,500

115

1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

CSC31B

Sfr  175,000 - 260,000
(NR)

Sfr 398,750

116

1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

LSDW221

Sfr  530,000 - 660,000

Sfr 1,045,625

117

1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

101RC

Sfr  110,000 - 155,000
(NR)

Sfr 172,500

118

1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Drophead Sedanca Coupé

GXK6

Sfr  130,000 - 175,000
(NR)

Sfr 207,000

119

1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

218AMS

Sfr  1,300,000 - 1,750,000

Sfr 1,580,000

120

1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI

5LVF45

Sfr  220,000 - 310,000
(NR)

Sfr 567,500

121

1990 Rolls-Royce Phantom VII

SCAPM01A0LWH10425

Sfr  310,000 - 350,000

Sfr 511,250

122

1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II

LSYB114

Sfr  130,000 - 220,000
(NR)

Sfr 241,250

123

1975 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

LRH21379

Sfr  65,000 - 110,000
(NR)

Sfr 126,500

124

1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche S

DRH22585

Sfr  60,000 - 80,000
(NR)

Sfr 80,500

125

2008 Bentley Brooklands

SCBCC42M09CX14138

Sfr  110,000 - 150,000
(NR)

Sfr 172,500

126

2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé

SCA3C68079UX29024

Sfr  130,000 - 175,000
(NR)

Sfr 195,500

 

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