No Reserve On Rolls-Royce 'Spirit' At Motorclassica

SYDNEY – October 19, 2010: The ‘Spirit’ of Rolls-Royce could end up in a motoring enthusiasts’ home or garage for as little as $700 at Sunday’s Shannons Collectors’ Auction at Motorclassica.

Two special Rolls-Royce cars – a stately 1957 Silver Cloud I Saloon and an as-new, one-owner 2007-model Phantom – are amongst the 37 classic vehicles going under the hammer at the Royal Exhibition Building.

Both feature the make’s signature ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ radiator ornament depicting a woman leaning elegantly into the wind, with her dress billowing.

Either Rolls would make an attractive addition to an enthusiasts’ driveway, with the Silver Cloud expected to sell with no reserve in the $26,000-$32,000 range, while the Phantom is likely to bring a tad more – $600,000-$650,000 – still a substantial saving on its $1 million new price.

However a much more affordable Rolls-Royce ‘Spirit’ in the auction is the 60cm-tall reproduction ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ on a marble base which Shannons expect to sell for no reserve in the much more affordable $700-$1,000 range.

The original silver-plated ‘Flying Lady’ was modelled on Eleanor Velasco Thornton, the secret love of early motor industry identity, John Walter Edward-Scott-Montagu, and adorned his personal Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. It was later adopted as the marque’s official mascot and has graced all Rolls-Royce cars since 1911.

The reproduction ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ statue and Silver Cloud car are amongst 33 vehicles and items of automobilia being offered with no reserve in the Motorclassica auction, which kicks off at 2.00pm on Sunday.

Other significant unreserved vehicles include a rare, Raymond Loewy-designed 1964 Studebaker Avanti II Coupe ($18,000-$24,000), a two-owner 1940 Plymouth P10 Super Deluxe sedan in great original condition ($12,000-$16,000) and a 1963 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible originally owned by the Emir of Kuwait ($55,000-$65,000).

Rare motorcycles in Motorclassica auction
Shannons are offering seven rare and collectible motorcycles amongst the 37 vehicle lots in its Collectors’ Auction at Motorclassica on Sunday at the Royal Exhibition Building.

Amongst the most desirable are a rare 1948 BSA A7 500cc in great running order ($14,000-$18,000), a 1950 Sunbeam S8 500cc that has covered nominal miles since its restoration ($12,000-$15,000) and a classic 750cc 1979 Triumph T140 Bonneville ($9,000-$12,000).

Three superb vintage motorcycles from the former Marysville Museum are also being offered with ‘no reserve’ – a belt drive 1925 Douglas 350cc ($7,000-$10,000), a 350cc BSA SV Solo ($8,000-$12,000) and a 1931 350cc Sunbeam in immaculate restored condition ($8,000-$12,000).

All auction lots will be on display at Motorclassica from 5pm to 9pm on Friday 22 October and 9am-5pm over the weekend. The auction will be held from 2pm on Sunday, 24 October.