In November, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys that were once owned by Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II will be up for auction.
You can now live the British lifestyle if you want. The Silverstone Auctions Classic Motor Show sale will feature 12 of the most prestigious vehicles from the collections British royalty and celebrities.
2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Two brands are almost exclusively responsible for the height of British ultra-luxury cars: Rolls Royce, and Bentley. To celebrate the latter, Sir Elton John (the Rocket Man legend) chose a 2005 Phantom as his luxury chariot.
The car was delivered to him on April 29, 2005 and he used it for his civil marriage to David Furnish in 2014. Sir Elton John drove the car for many years before it was finally sold in 2014. It had 6,600 miles (10.7621 kilometers) on its odometer. It is estimated that it will sell for between PS135,000 and PS155,000 ($166,000 to $190,000.
2012 Bentley Mulsanne
Bentley is a unique British manufacturer. It holds a Royal Warrant to supply vehicles for the family. Vauxhall, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen are the others. Bentley designed this Mulsanne custom Mulsanne to celebrate the Queen’s 2012 honor.
This Mulsanne is not like the usual fleet of black limousines held by the royals. It was finished in a Barnato Green special, named after Joel Woolf Barnato who was a British racing driver and financier. It was used almost exclusively to travel to London between 2012 and 2014. The car was then sold. The car has been serviced regularly and has logged just under 6,000 km (9,656 miles) of usage. It is estimated to be worth between PS215,000-PS235,000 ($264,000-$289,000).
1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II
This beautiful example of British royalty was built at Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret Rose’s request in 1980. The handsome Cardinal Red finish is complemented by a black Everflex roof and Royal Crest mountings. The interior features a matte Rosewood dashboard, and Black Nuala leather at the doors. This is in lieu of the standard polished veneer.
It was extensively used from 1980 to 2002 when Princess Rose’s family took it to her private funeral at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. It was later sold by Princess Rose’s son, who inherited it. The car has 48,000 miles (77.248 kilometers) of original mileage. It is estimated that it could fetch anywhere from PS90,000.00 to PS110,000 ($110,000 to $135,000).
1976 Bentley T1
Robert Michael Winner, a well-known film director and critic, purchased the stunning Bentley T1 on April 1, 1984. It was one of only 1,703 new 1975 Bentley ‘T Series cars. It was used extensively by him until his death in 2013. In 2013, he gave it to his chauffeur, who kept it until the beginning of this year.
It has traveled just over 112,000 km (180,246 miles), making it one the most driven vehicles in this list. The estimated cost of its purchase is just PS40,000 to PS50,000 ($49,000 to $61,500) at the time it arrives on the block.
1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
The Corniche, one of the most iconic namesplates in Rolls-Royce’s lineup, was introduced in 1971. It survived for almost 24 years before being retired. This particular was made and delivered to Chesham Place, London, in 1984 for Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani and his family.
After 21 years of ownership, the car was sold to the Qatari royal family with only 11,466 miles (18.452 kilometers) remaining on the odometer. It will be auctioned in a beautifully maintained example, which is finished in royal blue with light brown interior leather work.
1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
This stunning Corniche was made in Nugget Gold by Mr. Sylvester, a Hampshire gentleman, 10 years before the Qatari royals ordered it.
The car was kept by him in meticulous detail, from the January 1, 1973 registration date, to the October 17th 2013 surrender of his 30-year ownership. This example has just under 26,000 miles (41.842 kilometers) on its odometer and could be sold for between PS90,000.-PS110,000 ($110,000 to $135,000).
2001 Daimler Supercharged 8-cylinder V8
The Daimler Supercharged Ve8 (aka the Jaguar XJ) was registered June 4, 2001. It was custom-built to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2’s specifications. This vehicle was distinguished from others in the royal fleet by flashing rear lights and blue flashing strobe light on the bumper.
A custom armrest was added to the interior to snugly hold the Queen’s handbag. There are also a number of window switches that can all be operated from her seat. This package is finished in British Racing Green with a beige-colored interior and green leather.
It has driven 15,000 miles (24.140 km) since its new purchase and will fetch between PS50,000 and PS60,000 ($61,500 to $73,800) when it crosses the auction blocks.
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL
This Mercedes-Benz 560SEL Mercedes-Benz was simple, clean, and silver. It was not meant to be a flashy, royal vehicle. The most striking additions to this otherwise ordinary sedan were the heated front seats and an electronic control system.
The 5.6-liter V8 engine under the hood was capable of 300 horsepower (223 Kilowatts) at its original speed. This engine has only covered 25,990 miles (41 826 kilometers) in 28 years. This handsome example could be purchased for between PS25,000 and PS35,000 ($30.700 to $43,000).
1994 Audi Cabriolet
Some consider Princess Diana one of the most influential women in the 20th century. She was also well-known for her influence within the royal family. After her divorce from Prince Charles in 1992, Diana would become one of the most photographed women ever.
Many of these public appearances were made behind the wheel this Gomera Pearl Audi Cabriolet. It had a five-cylinder engine of 2.3 liters and an automatic transmission. The interior was finished in creme leather. Diana had it for only 10 years, before selling it with just 4,000 miles (6.437 km) on the odometer.
The car was purchased from its former owner in 2013 and is going up for auction. It has 21,412 miles (34.459 kilometers) on its odometer. The estimated price is PS50,000 to PS60,000 ($61.500 to $73,800).
1987 Bristol Brigand
The Bristol Brigand Type 603 was introduced in 1976. It is the only car on this list to have an American V8 underneath the hood, from Chrysler. It is not less British, however. The Brigand succeeded the Bristol 411 and introduced a new style and more powerful engines.
This rare example was first registered to a Mr. D. Holland on April 26, 1988. It was driven extensively up to 1991, when it was bought back by Bristol. Then, in 1993, it was sold to Mr. D. Starkley.
The engine and the gearbox were removed in 2010 and replaced by a 5.9-liter V8 from Bristol. In 2012, the car received a complete restoration. It’s now ready for auction with an estimate of PS50,000 to PS60,000 ($61,500 to $73,800).
1972 Fiat 500L
This 1972 example bears little resemblance to today’s 500L, but it is an Italian with a rich heritage. It was bought by David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as a surprise birthday gift for Samantha.
In 2010, it was sold to a private buyer. It had only 11,500 miles (18,507 km) in its original mileage. The carburetor was rebuilt and new hoses were installed throughout. It will be auctioned with 15,000 miles (24.140 kilometers). It could fetch anywhere from PS18,000 to PS22,000 (22,100 to $27,000).
1970 Wood & Picket Mini Cooper S Mk II
This 1970 Mini Cooper S Mk II, as factory-original as it might appear to the untrained eye may be, is a product Wood and Picket. This handsome Mini Cooper S Mk II was introduced by the British company Wood and Picket in 1969. It was then sold to its first owner, less than one year later.
The Mini was sold again in 1973 to Mr. John Hammel. Hammel was the personal assistant and guitarist technician to Sir Paul McCartney. Hammel had the car for a short time before selling it to Denny Laine, a Wings member. After eight months, Hammel bought the car back from Denny Laine.
The Mini received a complete restoration in 2000 by Woods Restoration Services in Brand Hatch. It remained in perfect condition until it was sold again in 2014. This handsome little Briton is now up for auction with just 72,000 miles (115.872 kilometers) remaining.