1980 Rolls-Royce Camargue

Lot details
Registration No: UMB564V
Chassis No: JRH0050406
Mot Expiry: Sept 2011

When launched in March 1975, the Camargue was not only the flagship of the Rolls-Royce range, but considered to be the world's most expensive production car; for the price of which you could reportedly buy five Jaguar XJ6s or 26 Minis! While it shared the platform of the Shadow and Corniche, the Camargue was the first post-war production Rolls-Royce not to be designed in-house, and was penned by Paolo Martin of Pininfarina. The bodies were crafted in London by Mulliner Park Ward. Power was provided by a slightly uprated version of Rolls-Royce's ubiquitous 6.75-litre V-8 engine mated to the GM Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission. Suspension was independent by coil springs front and back, with hydraulic self-levelling ride height control at the rear. Braking was by discs all round; ventilated at the front, plain at the rear. The engines of the first 65 Camargues were fed by twin SU carburettors, while the balance featured single four-barrel Solex units. In 1977 the steering was upgraded to the same specification as the Shadow II and in 1979 the model received the rear suspension of the Silver Spirit. It may have just two doors but, make no mistake this was a big car that stretched to nearly 17 ft and weighed in at 2.3 tons. The newcomer sported a number of innovations, for example: it was the first Rolls-Royce to be designed to metric dimensions. It also featured the world's first completely automatic split-level air conditioning system, allowing variations of temperature for the upper and lower parts of the interior. Between 1975 and 1986 525 Rolls-Royce Camargues were produced, plus one bearing Bentley badges.

The right-hand drive Camargue on offer was first registered in 1980. The coachwork is finished in Mistletoe Green and the interior trimmed in Olive hide. The history file shows it to have resided in Switzerland in its early years. The vendor is the seventh owner and purchased it from a Rolls-Royce dealer in Yorkshire three years ago, since when it has been part of a small collection and enjoyed occasional use; including appearances at Rolls-Royce club events. The service records and MOTs dating back to 1989 suggest the recorded mileage of just 60,600 could be correct. The vendor judges the overall condition to reflect such a figure and feels the "excellent" condition of the interior is the result of "respectful use". He tells us that 'UMB 564V' "drives as it should, runs smoothly and performs effortlessly and gracefully!" We understand it will be delivered to the sale with a fresh MOT.