Rolls Royce Rolls Out $1,939,400 In New RR And Bentleys For Press

09/27/96

As it does each year Rolls Royce Motor Cars stages a fine ride/drive and lunch for the automotive press in Southern California and holds it at the posh oceanside Ritz Carlton hostelry. On hand for our perusal and driving pleasure--only with a Rolls rep though . . . don't want any hijacking--are a Rolls Royce Silver Dawn with a low down sticker price of only $159,000; Silver Spur, $186,000; Park Ward, $299,000. On the Bentley side, the Brits brought four hot rods: Brooklands, $149,000; Turbo R, $203,000; Continental R, $307,000; Continental T, $324,500; and the stunning Azure convertible--maybe the finest car in the world, $329,400. Boxer Mike Tyson bought four of these in Vegas a few months ago as "gifts" for Don King and his buddies. He already owned a Silver Spur.

As can be imagined, the cars are magnificent to drive and be seen in. The star of the show was the Bentley Continental T, a big turbo charged coupe with every creature comfort imaginable that rips to 60 MPH from zero in 5.8 seconds. Yes it does. As a throwback to Bentley super cars of yore, the T has an engined turned (scrolled aluminum) dash like many old hot rods and a punch button starter in the center of the dash. It hauls.

Rolls Royce is on a roll sales-wise. Most Azures are pre-sold, and the average owner has six other cars, an art collection and a yacht. He/she keeps his Rolls 3-4 years. About 1000 people per year visit the Rolls factory in Crewe, England, where 2,700 workers assemble the luxury cars. Sales are up 20% in 1996 over 1995, and several new models are on the drawing board.

There'll always be an England...and Rolls Royce.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel