Mr. W. W. Kennedy from the small Northern Irish coastal town of Portrush clearly had plenty of money. On June 8, 1976, he acquired what was then the world's most expensive production car: the Rolls-Royce Camargue. The model was entirely new and marked the first Rolls-Royce designed outside the company. The task was assigned to the Italian firm Pininfarina, where chief designer Paolo Martin led the project.
Martin had previously designed the Fiat 130 Coupe, one of the most beautiful Italian cars ever produced, and it's evident he brought this inspiration into his work on the Camargue. Google the Fiat, and you'll see!
Mr. Kennedy likely stood alone with his Camargue in Northern Ireland, as only 140 right-hand-drive examples were ever built—not in a single year, but over the entire 11-year production run. Even counting the 391 left-hand-drive cars, no more than one car per week was constructed.
Early servicing took place in Belfast during "The Troubles," the conflict between the Catholic and Protestant communities, which was at its peak during that time. Presumably, Mr. Kennedy had someone else drive it there for safety reasons.
In 1989, this Camargue arrived in Sweden and Gothenburg with just under 40,000 kilometers (approximately 25,000 miles) on the odometer, imported by a Rolls-Royce enthusiast who added it to his collection. Today, the car has traveled just over 80,000 kilometers (51,500 miles) and recently underwent extensive servicing by a Danish Rolls-Royce specialist.
The car is in exceptional condition, retaining all original details, including the sought-after Lucas fog lights and a Stereo 8 cassette player. A Johnny Cash live album from 1968, "At Folsom Prison," is included!
A Rolls-Royce Camargue is undeniably magnificent, with an aura that leaves no one indifferent. This large two-door coupé (though Rolls-Royce referred to it as a Saloon) was controversial from a design perspective when it debuted but is now recognized as one of the most unique Rolls-Royce models ever made.
A few years ago, American classic car giant Hagerty included the Camargue on its "Bull Market List," predicting it among the top ten cars expected to increase most in value over the next 12 to 24 months.
Bilweb Auctions has estimated its market value between 550,000 and 600,000 SEK. The auction ends on March 27.
