rolls-royce

Vintage 1905 Rolls-Royce Picnic Case for $14,800

Last summer my colleague Noah Joseph wrote about the bespoke Rolls-Royce picnic set designed for the new Phantom, which harks back to the golden age of motoring. Now an original version – designed for a Rolls-Royce owner back in 1905 – is being offered for sale. The perfectly preserved case was made to double as a footrest in the passenger compartment. It contains a picnic service for four, ingeniously designed to accommodate sandwiches, tea, coffee and cocktails. Tucked into the lid are two leather-wrapped stainless steel thermoses, four dishes with recesses for teacups, a matchbox, and utensils including forks, mustard and butter spoons and bone-handled knives from Joseph Fenton & Sons of Sheffield. The case's bottom holds two glass bottles wrapped in wicker for water or wine, two flasks with fitted metal cups, an enameled container, a kettle and burner, four teacups, four smaller glass bottles, ceramic mustard and butter pots, salt and pepper jars and a small tin. M.S. Rau antiques of New Orleans is offering the piece of classic automotive history for sale at $14,800.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Gallery: Vintage Rolls-Royce Picnic Case

Tags: luggage, luxury car, New Orleans, picnic, picnic basket, Rolls-Royce

Seven Heavens: Jonathon Ramsey's Year of Empyrean Experiences

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports, Men's Style

"Every day above ground is a good day" is the saying, and it depends entirely on how much latitude you give the definition of "good." There are other days, however – certain days, special days – that cannot be denied their inclusion in the ranks of The Best of the Good Ones. While we have no problem admitting that even the least among our days on the job are still pretty good, there are others that clearly and simply take their places at the front of a very competitive line. In no particular order, then, here are seven places and pleasures that have meant the most to us in 2010.

Tags: chopin, gumpert apollo, jochen70, lake okareka lodge, mammoth mountain, rizk ra, rolls-royce, wales

Continue reading “Seven Heavens: Jonathon Ramsey's Year of Empyrean Experiences”

Jet Meets Heli: Rolls-Royce Powered Eurocopter X3

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Wings

Eurocopter's ultra-cool X3 prototype (above), which combines the technology of a turboprop plane with traditional helicopter engineering, just attained an airspeed of 180 knots (207 mph) in level flight in testing in Istres, France. The X3, which was not operating at full power, is expected to break the official helicopter speed world record by the time testing is complete. Over the last few months of testing the X3 has performed such feats as reaching an altitude of 12,500 ft. and maneuvering with left and right turns at bank angles of up to 60°. Utilizing a Dauphin helicopter airframe, the X3 is equipped with two Rolls-Royce turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system, along with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings. In terms of sheer speed it still may not top Sikorsky's experimental X2 which we wrote about last month, but its stylish looks and jet-like features should more than make up for it.

Tags: Eurocopter, eurocopter+x3, eurocopterx3, France, helicopter, rolls+royce, Rolls-Royce, rollsroyce, Sikorsky, sikorsky+x2, sikorskyx2

England's Finest at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island Auction

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Last year at the Amelia Island auction, Gooding & Company auctioned off over $16 million in classic automobiles at the annual event, including a $2.75 million 1931 Voisin and a $1.7 million '61 Porsche RS61 Spyder formerly owned by Sir Stirling Moss. Next year's event is still months away, but early consignments are already coming in, shaping the event up to look like a veritable celebration of Britain's finest.

First up is a rare alloy-bodied 1949 Jaguar XK120, the first to come to the United States and the only one made in Blue Sheen paint, projected around the $375,000-$550,000. The 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe pictured aboce, one of only four made with Gurney Nutting coachwork, is estimated to bring $400,000-$500,000. Finally comes a '62 Lotus 23B with considerable racing pedigree projected at around $200,000. With more consignments coming in, the auction is set to take place on Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation.

Gallery: Best of Britain at Gooding & Co. – Amelia Island 2011

Tags: 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe, 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy, 1962 Lotus 23B, Amelia Island, auction, Gooding, Gooding and Company, Gooding Company, Jaguar, Jaguar XK120, Jaguar XK120 Alloy, Lotus, Lotus 23B, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom II, Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe

Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Spirits, Luxury Cars & Autos

Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

There's one in every family: someone who loves cars and alcohol...often in equal measure. And while we wouldn't condone driving under the influence, we do have what could very well be the ultimate gift for that special someone.

This set of chrome and glass decanters are crafted in England by Nicholas Brawer. Each of the five replicates the radiator grille from a classic Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz or Jaguar motor car. Price is available from the retailer upon request.

Gallery: Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

[Source: Nicholas Brawer via Luxury Launches]

Source

Tags: bentley, bugatti, decanter, flask, jaguar, mercedes, mercedes-benz, nicholas brawer, rolls-royce

Steal of the Century: $13 Million 'Star of India' Rolls-Royce Sells for $850,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Back in September 2009 we reported that the famed "Star of India", a one-off 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental "All-Weather Convertible" custom made for the Maharaja of Rajkot with coachwork by Thrupp and Maberley, had been listed for sale at $13 million, making it one of the world's most expensive automobiles. Now it has finally changed hands for a mere $850,000, making it the steal of the century. The buyer, Mandhatasinh Jadeja, is actually the grandson of the Maharaja who originally owned it. He told the Times of India he plans to return the car to its homeland and give it to his father as a 75th birthday present, after which it will be housed in a private museum. The incredible car is currently on display at Canada's Art Gallery of Ontario as part of the Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts exhibition.

Gallery: Star of India Rolls-Royce

Tags: classic cars, India, Maharaja, Rolls-Royce, Star of India

Dartz's Racy Take on Rolls' 'Spirit of Ecstasy'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Irreverent Russian SUV makers Dartz have already proved themselves masters of mixing the grotesque with the extravagant – you might recall their $1.5 million gold and diamond-trimmed armored truck upholstered in whale penis leather than sent Pamela Anderson into a tizzy. Now Dartz, which also customizes ultra-luxury vehicles from other marques, has come out with a tongue-in-cheek version of Rolls-Royce's famous mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The Dartz version, which is gold plated, is dubbed the Spirit of Xtasy and features a copulating couple, the male member of which bears a striking resemblance to nutty Dartz founder Leonard F. Yankelovich. Dartz is mounting the saucy statuettes on Rolls-Royce Phantoms in place of the original, along with other modifications. The folks at Rolls' UK headquarters in Goodwood will no doubt not be amused.

Tags: custom cars, Dartz, gold, luxury cars, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Russia, SUV

Continue reading “Dartz's Racy Take on Rolls' 'Spirit of Ecstasy'”

Guy Ritchie Picks Up A New Rolls-Royce

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Shopping

Kim Kardashian isn't the only one to "see a Ghost" recently. Director Guy Ritchie, who is currently filming the second Sherlock Holmes movie, followed in Kardashian's footsteps picking up a new $250,000 Rolls Royce Ghost car. The Daily Mail reports that the director's new car was delivered straight to the set of his new film. They have pictures of Ritchie in his new purple and silver baby.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost is the smaller, more nimble sibling to the Phantom. The eight-speed automatic transmission luxury car is designed for a speedy driving experience to appeal to those driving as much as those being driven. It is powered by a twin turbo 6.6-litre V12 engine that gets up to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and with a top speed of 155 mph. The interior is rich with soft full grain leather, natural wood veneers, Blenheim wool carpets and a cashmere-blend roof lining. Each Ghost is hand-built to order with a variety of custom options available.

Tags: guy ritchie, rolls-royce, rolls-royce ghost, Sherlock Holmes, sherlock holmes 2, Sherlock Holmes sequel

Celebrity Limousines for Auction by Bonhams at Brooklands

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping

Celebrity Limousines for Auction by Bonhams at Brooklands

If you're looking to get your hands on some celebrity automobilia, Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands in Surrey, England, is the place to be on December 6. There the venerable auction house Bonhams has got a wealth of cherishable classics on the docket.

First up is a 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III. With a five-seat limousine configuration, a 7.3-liter V12 engine and custom coachwork by Inskip, this was the first of just 24 Phantom IIIs sold to America, and was used in the fantasy film Pan's Labrynth in a chase scene – suitably enough – against a Bentley.

But that's not the end of it: there's also a 1934 Lagonda formerly owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and a Mercedes-Benz 600 from Elvis Presley's estate, along with Ferraris, Maseratis and more.

Gallery: 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom III by Inskip

Tags: 1934 rolls-royce phantom iii by inskip, elvis, elvis presley, lagonda, mercedes-benz, nick mason, pans labrynth, rolls-royce, rolls-royce phantom iii

Photo Tour: Bijan, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style

The announcement of the new Bijan custom Rolls-Royce was the perfect excuse to visit the Bijan boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The designer, known for his love of bright yellow and for providing custom clothing for presidents, sports stars, celebrities and royalty around the world, has created a line of Limited Edition Phantom models bearing Bijan's signature design and costing more than $1 million each. There will be just 30 of these cars made. The Bijan boutique was decked out for the launch of the car and Bijan's own yellow Rolls-Royce was parked outside. The designer is a collector of exotic yellow cars. The first Bijan Rolls-Royces will be presented next spring.

I couldn't resist taking some pictures of this store which is replete with amazing details like the Bijan fragrance chandelier above. The store is a unique mixture of extravagant, abundant over-the-top luxury with an incredibly fussy attention to detail. Let's take a tour.

Tags: bijan, rolls-royce

Continue reading “Photo Tour: Bijan, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills”

Spirit of Ecstasy Sculpture by Priory Fine Arts

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

Few icons are as instantly recognizable – inside the automotive industry or out – as the Spirit of Ecstasy. Adorning the hoods of Rolls-Royce motor cars for nearly a century, the Spirit of Ecstasy remains unrivaled in its authenticity.

The ornament was originally designed by one Charles Sykes, commissioned by the automaker to give their cars an added sense of occasion. Back in the 1930s, the company mascot was also displayed in larger form in Rolls-Royce showrooms. The originals remain highly-coveted collectors' items, but an art studio in England is now offering reproductions of the original for enthusiasts.

The replica sculptures from Priory Fine Arts measure 26 inches tall and weigh a substantial 39 pounds. They're made of bronze and can be ordered as well plated in silver or gold, with a negotiable starting price of $3,150. Have a closer look in the image gallery below, or follow the links to the Priory and Hemmings Motor News websites to inquire.

Gallery: Spirit of Ecstasy by Priory Fine Arts

Source

Tags: hood ornament, mascot, priory, priory fine art, priory fine arts, rolls-royce, sculpture, spirit of ecstasy, statue, statuette

Reggie Jackson's $1 Million Ferrari & More at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping, Sports

A rare 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder (above) formerly owned by both baseball great Reggie Jackson and famed daredevil Evel Knieval is expected to fetch up to $1 million at RM Auctions' annual Automobiles of Arizona sale in Phoenix on January 20 – 21. The car is one of a number of stunning Ferraris on offer in the stunning auction taking place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa (previewed by my colleague Noah Joseph), including a gorgeous 1966 Ferrari Superfast Series I, estimated at $900,000 – $1 million; a fully-restored 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta, est. $400,000 – $600,000; a well-known 1995 Ferrari F50 Show Car, est. $600,000 – $800,000, the very first F50 built; and a stunning jet black 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC. Other classic European thoroughbreds set to cross the block include a 1921 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost Phaeton, est. $350,000 – $475,000; a 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Newmarket Sport Phaeton, est. $300,000 – $450,000; and a 1958 Aston Martin DB2 Mark III, est. $200,000 – $250,000.

Gallery: RM Auctions' Arizona Ferraris

Tags: Arizona, Aston Martin, auction, baseball, celebrity, celebrity cars, classic cars, Ferrari, Reggie Jackson, RM Auctions, Rolls-Royce, sports

Strand Craft Yacht & Supercar for Sale at $27.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

The Strand Craft 122 superyacht / supercar combo we first told you about back in May has moved beyond the concept stage into a production-ready rocketship. The first example has just been listed for sale by Sweden's Gray Design via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $27.5 million, with a slated delivery date of October 2013. The sleek 125-ft. craft will be able to reach a top speed of 55 knots with the use of her optional Rolls-Royce KaMeWa boosters kicking out over 14,000 hp. High gloss mahogany inlays on the foredeck and all-glass atrium covering the cockpit deliver the best facets of both open and closed yachting in one razor sharp high-tech package.

The retro-futuristic Art Deco interior features four large, bedrooms, reception and leather-upholstered salon areas alongside comfortable crew cabins. Elliptical bulletproof windows that stretch halfway across the hull and enough Greek marble to recreate Athens round out the fancy finishes. The specially handcrafted carbon fiber supercar that comes with it is a completely one-off design closely resembling the genetic form and fashion of the mothership. With a rear mounted, 880hp twin-turbo V12 engine it has an estimated 375 km/h top speed and a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. A hydraulic garage door raises upwards and deploys a retractable ramp to become a dockside driveway.

Gallery: Strand Craft 122 by Gray Design

Tags: Art Deco, bulletproof, carbon fiber, JamesList, leather, mahogany, Rolls-Royce, Strand Craft, supercar, superyacht, yacht, yacht design

Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

There's good taste and then there's over-the-top opulence. Rolls-Royce manages to tread that fine line carefully, but Fenice Milano is here to take it over the top. Based on the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Fenice's Diva edition decks out the hood, grille, side sills, wing mirrors and more in 24-karat gold, repeating the treatment inside the cabin which is also "treated" to leather, Alcantara microsuede and teak veneer trim. All that, plus the reassurance that no one would ever accuse you of being possessed of such a gauche sense as good taste.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano

Source

Tags: Fenice, Fenice Milano, Fenice Milano Diva, Fenice Milano Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva, Ghost, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva, Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano

Dunhill Offers the Ultimate Croquet Set for $6,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

Famed London luxury goods firm Dunhill is now offering the ultimate gentleman's croquet set featuring the finest wood and leather detailing. Priced at about $6,000, the four-player professional grade set comes housed in a handmade mahogany chest secured with saddle leather straps, designed to fit perfectly in the trunk of your Bentley or Rolls-Royce. The mallets feature Rockwood heads fitted with brass rings which help add weight and protect the mallet faces from damage. The hickory handles are covered in luxurious Dunhill leather. The solid wooden balls come in a special black leather Dunhill case along with matching clips and markers, and the hoops are constructed of solid cast iron.

Tags: Bentley, croquet, Dunhill, games, lawn games, leather, London, mahogany, Rolls-Royce, UK

← Previous Page|Next Page →

rolls-royce

Featured Galleries

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular

Also on AOL