Rolls-Royce

The World's Top Luxury Toys for Men

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings, Books, Wealth

What are the world's top luxury toys for men? Uber-luxe German publisher teNeues has the answer with its newest super-sized volume, Luxury Toys: For Men. The awesome Aston Martin One-77, so named because of its limited 77-example run and $1.7 million pricetag, appears on the cover.

Other supercars that make the cut, including the Audi R8 GT, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Jaguar XKR Special Edition, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition, and Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. Quite the garage.

Covering transportation, style, accessories and dream vacations, the massive 220-page volume features 138 giant full-color photographs and text in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Not based merely on price, the selections show how "emotion and finesse can be combined with spectacular aesthetic purity."

Tags: Aston Martin, aston+martin+one-77, astonmartinone-77, Audemars Piguet, Audi R8, books, Hublot, jets, luxury books, luxury cars, luxury goods, luxury toys, Luxury Toys For Men, mens luxury, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Rolls-Royce, supercars, teNeues, watches, yachts

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Rolls-Royce Flagship Showroom Debuts in Abu Dhabi

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Rolls-Royce has 82 dealerships around the world. But the largest of them isn't at its factory in Goodwood. It's not in London, either, nor is it in Manhattan or Beverly Hills. It's in Abu Dhabi.

The latest of eight dealerships in the Middle East, the new Abu Dhabi showroom encompasses some 10,000 square feet of floorspace, including uncluttered display for five cars (Rolls currently only makes four model variants) plus a coffee bar, customer configuration lounge and adjacent service center.

Tags: abu dhabi, emirates, luxury car, rolls-royce, uae, united arab emirates

Royal Wedding: The Carriages of Choice

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

1902 State Landau carriage royal wedding

With the highly-anticipated marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton fast approaching, reports have confirmed the posh vehicles that will be used in the procession.

According to Buckingham Palace's transport manager, the princess-to-be will ride to Westminster Abbey in a 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI. The limousine from the royal motor pool was the subject of an attack when student protesters broke its windows with Prince Charles and Camilla on board this past December.

Returning from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds are scheduled to ride in a 1902 State Landau carriage, however if the weather doesn't permit for an open carriage ride, the 1881 Glass Coach that traditionally carries royal brides will be hitched up and called into service.

Gallery: Royal Wedding Carriages

[Source: Hello Magazine via Autoblog]

Source

Tags: buckingham palace, carriage, catherine middleton, kate middleton, prince william, rolls-royce, royal wedding, westminster abbey

The Aga Khan's $200 Million Superyacht Snafu

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Recently we reported on the impressive racehorses owned by His Highness the Aga Khan, the immensely wealthy Muslim spiritual leader. The urbane Aga Khan, a philanthropist, Harvard graduate and stepson of Hollywood bombshell Rita Hayworth, hasn't had as much good fortune when it comes to superyachts however. A considerable portion of his $800 million fortune has gone into what is supposed to be the world's fastest superyacht, but instead is a serious snafu.

The 164-ft. Alamshar (pictured above), named after a prized racehorse, is a $200 million vessel commissioned by His Highness from the UK's Devonport, which has now been in build for twelve whole years. Designed to break the transatlantic speed record, her ultra-expensive Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines underperformed and had to be replaced. It also caught on fire a bit. However, the luxurious craft was recently spotted performing sea trials and may one day soon be ready to sail.

[via JamesList]

Tags: Aga Khan, Aga Khans yacht, Alamshar yacht, billionaires, Muslim, richest Muslims, Rolls-Royce, superyacht, superyachts, wealth, yacht

Austin Becomes The Latest Town To Sell Rolls-Royces

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Keep Austin luxe? The Austin Statesman reports that the hip Texas town will soon be home to six Rolls-Royce models. Auto dealer Sonny Morgan is adding the luxury car to his posh lineup at the John Eagle European dealership this month. The dealership already features Lotus, Aston Martin and Bentley models. Morgan told the Statesman that he thinks the $250,000 Rolls Ghost is a good fit for Austin's younger, tech-loving buyers. Business is good it appears, Morgan said that he has already sold three cars so far, two to buyers in San Antonio and one in Austin. This is the third dealership in Texas, there are Rolls dealerships in Dallas and Houston.

Tags: austin, rolls-royce, texas

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Luxury Sedans & SUVs

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Every year the Geneva Motor Show features a staggering array of new luxury sedans, estate wagons, crossovers and sport-utility vehicles on display. And this year's show, still ongoing at the Geneva Palexpo, has proven no exception.

Among the production and concept debuts in these diverse categories were new vehicles from Audi, BMW Alpina, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Saab and Volvo, as well as the return of De Tomaso. Follow the jump to see what these European automakers had in store for us this year.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, alpina, alpina b5 biturbo, alpina b5 biturbo touring, audi, audi a3, audi a3 sedan, audi a3 sedan concept, bertone, bertone b99, bmw, bmw alpina, bmw alpina b5 biturbo touring, detomaso+geneva+concept, detomasogenevaconcept, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, geneva+auto+show+2011, geneva+motor+show+2011, genevaautoshow2011, genevamotorshow2011, jaguar, jaguar b99, land rover range rover autobiography ultimate edition, land rover range_e, mercedes, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz c-class coupe, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate, porsche, porsche panamera, porsche panamera s hybrid, range rover autobiography ultimate edition, range+rover+ultimate+edition, rangeroverultimateedition, range_e, rolls-royce, Rolls-Royce 102EX, Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric, rolls-royce phantom, saab, saab 9-5, Saab 9-5 SportCombi, volvo, volvo v60, volvo v60 plug-in hybrid

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Henry Royce's Last Rolls-Royce Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Henry Royce's Last Rolls-Royce Up for Auction

A 1929 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom II Weymann Sports Saloon, reputedly the last model that the marque's co-founder Henry Royce designed himself, is one of the highlights of the Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia sale at Bonhams in Oxford, UK on March 5th. The rare vehicle is expected to fetch up to $325,000. The now legendary Phantom II chassis provided a platform for some of the truly outstanding designs of its day, and was highly favored by prominent coachbuilders. The example offered by Bonhams carries Weymann-type sports saloon coachwork by the famed firm of H J Mulliner. It's presented in perfect condition having undergone a complete restoration and is perfectly capable of high speed road trips and classic car rallies. Or you could just sit and look at it all day.

Tags: 1920s, antique cars, auctions, Bonhams, British cars, classic cars, classic Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom II, UK

The Classicist: London's Luxe Salon Prive Comes to 'Gosford Park'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Events, The Classicist

The Salon Privé, Europe's finest and largest dedicated display of supercars, exotics, classics and luxury goods in an English garden party setting, is moving to an amazing new venue this summer to house the largest exhibition to date and an incredible auction alongside. Syon Park (above), the sprawling London estate of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family have lived there for over 400 years, is best known as the mansion used in the movie Gosford Park and is the last surviving ducal residence retaining its country estate in Greater London, making a fitting new setting for the five-star event slated for June 22nd – 24th.

To mark the occasion, RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house, has selected Salon Privé as the venue for its third annual European sale. Themed 'Quintessentially English' and scheduled for June 23, the new RM sale is set to become a regular fixture on the company's global events calendar, catering specifically for collectors with an affinity for British marques. Also joining the luxe event, now in its sixth season, for the first time is Land Rover who have confirmed that they will show the new Range Rover Evoque models which guests will be able to test drive.

2011 marks a return to the event for Porsche alongside such brands as Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan and Rolls-Royce. In addition to the stunning display of modern super and luxury cars, the event's internationally renowned Concours d'Elégance returns with seven new categories and a display of some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world. Examples of this year's categories include Ferrari 250 Competizione, Historic Grand Prix Single Seaters, Grand Routier, Oddballs, Motorcycles from the Steve McQueen era and a collection of stunning Rolls-Royce models to celebrate the 100 year centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy. [cont'd]

Gallery: Salon Prive & Syon Park

Tags: Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, classic cars, Concours dElégance, concours delegance, English country house, events, Ferrari, Gosford Park, Land Rover, London, luxury goods, Maserati, Porsche, Range Rover Evoque, RM Auctions, Rolls-Royce, Salon Privé, Salon Prive, Steve McQueen, supercar, the+classicist, theclassicist

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Rolls-Royce Breaks Out the Vintage Silver for London Centenary Parade

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Rolls-Royce Breaks Out the Vintage Silver for London Centenary Parade

How does one celebrate 100 years of the Rolls-Royce mascot? With a one hundred-car parade through London, of course!

The Spirit of Ecstasy is celebrating its centenary this year, and among the other festivities already covered, Rolls-Royce led a procession of its historic automobiles past such landmarks as Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus on Feburary 6. In addition to the latest Phantom and Ghost saloons leading the parade were classic examples of the Silver Ghost, Silver Cloud, Silver Shadow and Silver Spur.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstacy Centenary Drive

Tags: london, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstacy, Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstacy Centenary Drive, Spirit of Ecstacy, Spirit of Ecstacy Centenary Drive

Pershing Launches New Rolls-Royce Powered 115' Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Pershing Launches New Rolls-Royce Powered 115' Superyacht

Stylish Italian superyacht builder Pershing has launched a new hull in its flagship 115' range with massive power to match its good looks. The yacht is fitted with twin diesel MTUs delivering a total of 7,400 hp together with the applied thrust of two Rolls-Royce water-jet propellers - plus an additional $3.5 million Vericor TF50 gas turbine, typically used in aeronautics, producing an additional 5,100 hp for a total top speed of 52 knots. The 12,500 hp beauty's four cabins include an owner's suite and three guest cabins accomodating a total of nine people, while three crew cabins offer five bunks. The cockpit with a vast covered area made possible by the use of lateral carbon fiber fittings is the starring attraction with a teak table featuring seating for ten, a fully equipped bar, a large solarium and built in plasma TV. The new model also features a touchscreen audio visual system that also controls the lighting, curtains, air conditioning and closed-circuit video camera system.

Gallery: Pershing 115

Tags: carbon fiber, Pershing, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, superyacht, yacht

Andy Warhol's Rolls-Royce Up For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

Andy Warhol's self-portrait goes up for auction this month but you can buy a perhaps even more personal artifact, his chocolate brown 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. Auto aficionado Tamara Warren spotted the listing on Art Brokerage recently. She corresponded with the current owner who told her that he had originally bid on the car at Sotheby's when his estate was auctioned about a year after his death. Later he was contacted by the winner of the auction and bought the car several years later. As the 25th anniversary of Warhol's death (he died in 1987) approaches he decided to test the waters. The car had sold at auction for $77,000 and the owner is now accepting offers.

In a post on Forbes, Warren questions whether or not the car is "just another vintage Rolls-Royce" or something more, a window into an era, a moment in cultural history and "an extra 15 minutes." Given that even Warhol's turtleneck is listed for over $14,000, it will be interesting to see if the market is as interested in the artist as it is in his art.

Tags: andy warhol, rolls-royce, vintage cars

EXCLUSIVE: Former Harrods Owner Mohamed al Fayed Sells Off His Rolls & Ferrari Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, The Classicist, Wealth

Last summer we reported that Mohamed al Fayed had sold famed London department store Harrods to Qatar's royal family for $2.2 billion. Now the ultra-rich businessman, equally well known as the father of the late Princess Diana's lover Dodi Fayed, is selling off his incredible car collection, featuring stunning custom classic Rolls-Royces, Ferraris and more. There are ten cars in all from al Fayed's collection starring in Bonhams' Paris sale of Motor Cars at the Grand Palais on Feb. 5 - chief among them being the 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 originally owned by John Lennon, expected to fetch up to $220,000, which we can now exclusively reveal comes from al Fayed's collection and was in fact owned by Dodi Fayed.

Next up are a remarkable pair of classic Rolls-Royce motorcars which al Fayed has refinished in custom Harrods Green livery, one with a royal pedigree. The 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine (above) was the property of H.R.H. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent until al Fayed acquired it in 1996, and is expected to fetch up to $200,000. The Duke of Kent's Rolls, which was originally painted black, still has its blue bullet lamp on the roof signifying Royal ownership. There's also a matching Harrods Green 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine, estimated at up to $240,000. Read on for the full list of al Fayed's cars being offered for sale, including several other Ferraris:

Gallery: Mohamed al Fayed's Car Collection at Bonhams

Ex-Duke of Kent 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Tags: auctions, Bonhams, British royalty, classic cars, department store, Dodi Fayed, Ferrari, Harrods, London, mohamed+al+fayed, mohamedalfayed, Mohammed al Fayed, Paris, Princess Diana, Rolls-Royce, royalty, UK

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Rolls-Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

All Rolls-Royces are special. Some, to paraphrase Orwell, are more special than others. Like this latest Centenary edition Phantom.

Created to mark 100 years of the company's mascot – the Spirit of Ecstasy – the Centenary Collection is distinguished by a number of special touches, including unique paint colors, commemorative plaques, special instruments and clock set into the dashboard and a replica statuette for owners to place on their desks or mantle. To cap it all, the glovebox lid is inscribed with the following:

"A graceful little goddess, the Spirit of Ecstasy, who has selected road travel as her supreme delight and alighted on the prow of a Rolls-Royce motor car to revel in the freshness of the air and the musical sound of her fluttering draperies." - Charles Sykes, 1911

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection

Tags: phantom, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rolls-Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection, Spirit of Ecstasy

Rolls-Royce Apparition by Jeremy Westerlund

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

You've seen the Rolls-Royce Phantom. You've seen the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Now say hello to the Rolls-Royce Apparition.

Unlike its production counterparts, the Apparition is purely a design study. It's the brainchild of one Jeremy Westerlund, who designed it as an independent project while studying at the Art Center. The idea blends classic design elements with futuristic ones, with mahogany wheel inserts and a shape that places the chauffeur out in the open like in vintage motor carriages, with the occupants coddled inside.

Although just a design for the time being, the model itself is nearly six feet long, and in reality would measure over 23 feet long, or four feet longer than the Phantom saloon.

Source

Tags: Apparition, art center, jeremy westerlund, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Apparition

Mariah Carey Tweets About Rolls-Royce Christmas Gift

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping

Mariah Carey may have sung "All I Want For Christmas is You" in a recent Christmas special but her real Christmas list was perhaps a bit more extensive. She recently tweeted a picture of a Rolls-Royce next to a private plane with the words: "Still getting over my Christmas gift from Nick Cannon... License plate: mommyMC." Carey is pregnant with the couple's first child and set to give birth this spring.

Carey joins several other new Rolls owners including Guy Ritchie and Kim Kardashian. In December, Paris Hilton was spotted taking a black Rols-Royce Ghost for a test drive.

[via Contact Music]

Tags: mariah carey, nick cannon, rolls-royce