The Steeple Times

Tag: collection

  • A Corgi Classic

    A Corgi Classic

    The “Corgi” Rolls-Royce sells for £4 million

     

    Yesterday, at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale at Goodwood, near Chichester, a 1912 Rolls Royce Double Pullman Limousine achieved over double the estimate when it sold for £4,705,500.

     

    Considered to be one of the rarest Rolls-Royce cars in existence, this 100-year old vehicle acquired the “Corgi” name in the 1960s when toymakers Corgi® copied it as part of their range. Undoubtedly the most recognisable Rolls-Royce “Silver Ghost” produced, it now is thought to be the only car of its type left in the world.

     

    The 1912 Rolls-Royce Double Pullman Silver Ghost Limousine, registration “1912 RR”
    A Corgi® model of the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

    Designed in the style of a Pullman railway carriage, this 40/50hp 7.3 litre masterpiece was delivered new to John M. Stephens of South Croydon, a known connoisseur of Silver Ghosts, and then passed through the ownership of John C. Sword and Denis de Ferranti in the UK and Richard Solove and most recently John M. O’Quinn in the USA. The vehicle came to auction following the death of Mr O’Quinn, a lawyer who also owned the 1975 Ford Escort GL once owned by Pope John Paul II and John F. Kennedy’s 1962 Lincoln Continental Bubble Top Limo, in a car crash in Houston, Texas.

     

    Of the “Corgi,” James Knight of Bonhams commented:

     

    “Back in those days, customers would buy the engine and chassis and would employ coach builders to do the bodywork. The first owner of this car hired the best coach builders of the day and the car epitomizes the upper echelons of Edwardian society.”

     

    What makes this vehicle especially rare is that it is in perfect condition. Most similar vehicles were converted into ambulances during the First World War and suffered inglorious fates. Whoever purchased this car has undoubtedly added a treasure to their collection.

     

    For more information, contact Helen Buckingham of Bonhams on +44 (0) 20 7468 5870 or go to: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20143

  • Boxing an Aston

    Boxing an Aston

    Lennox Lewis’ Aston Martin to be auctioned with a guide of just £15,000 to £20,000

     

    If you have a spare £15,000 – £20,000, you could bid on a piece of sporting history this weekend at the The Aston Martin Works Service Sale at Newport Pagnell organised by Bonhams.

     

    The former Lennox Lewis owned 1994 Aston Martin Virage Limited Edition, Chassis Number: SCFCAM2SXRBR50417, Engine Number: LE/89/50417/A, Registration Plate: M7 AML

    Lot 227 is an Aston Martin Virage Limited Edition coupé, one of just nine produced, that was manufactured in 1994 and owned from new by the champion boxer Lennox Lewis.

     

    Finished in dark British Racing Green metallic with a special saddle-brown Connolly hide interior, the car has 33,000 miles on the clock and is said to be presented in: “generally very good condition.” Amongst the differences between the standard car and this special limited edition is that this model has a wider body and a different mesh grille. It also comes complete with a plaque recording the chassis number and owner’s name as well as a satellite navigation system, custom-built stereo and a stainless-steel exhaust.

    Lennox Lewis, CM, CBE

     

    Lewis owned the car until 2005 and it was during this period that he became the Lineal Champion after beating Shannon Briggs in 1998 and the undisputed WBC heavyweight champion after defeating Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko. He retired from boxing in 2004 and in due course this Aston Martin passed into a collection that has been displayed in a museum.

     

    Of his sport, Lewis once said: “It’s not rage that drives me, it’s competition.” It’ll be interesting to see just who will be competing to bid on this car on Saturday 19th May as with such a low guide, this certainly looks like a bargain that should be punching above it’s weight.

     

    For more information on the sale of the 1994 Aston Martin Virage Limited Edition coupé formerly owned by Lennox Lewis, contact Tim Schofield of Bonhams on +44 (0) 20 7468 5804 or email [email protected]. View details of the sale at: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20142

     

    Follow Bonhams on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/bonhams1793

  • Vicomte Arthur de Soultrait

    Vicomte Arthur de Soultrait

    A televised encounter with Pippa Middleton and an incident with a gun brought this French aristocrat to prominence but behind the wild façade, Arthur de Soultrait has a serious side. (more…)

  • Céline Dion CC OQ

    Céline Dion CC OQ

    Dion met her husband and manager, René Angélil, when she was 12. Her rise has been meteoric and she’s now one of the richest women in showbiz. Whether she’s “Falling into You” or “Taking Chances,” however, there’s just something utterly irritating about her demeanour. Please could someone send in an iceberg? This Titanic of a voice needs to sink.