Beschreibung:

FROM THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MRS M H RAYMOND-WAY 1975 ROLLS-ROYCE CAMARGUE Registration No. 1 RW Chassis No. JRH 18624 Engine No. 18624 Richmond blue with turquoise leather interior. Engine: aluminium over-square 90° V8, 6750cc; Gearbox: GM automatic three speed and reverse with torque converter; Steering: power-assisted re-circulating ball; Suspension: independent all round with coil springs and telescopic dampers; Brakes: ventilated discs to rear, servo assisted with two independent hydraulic circuits. Right hand drive. The Rolls-Royce Camargue was based on the Silver Shadow platform and running gear, but was to be the top of the range Rolls-Royce saloon with superior accommodation to its stablemates - the Silver Shadow and Corniche - and a very advanced automatic air-conditioning system. Rolls-Royce commissioned Pininfarina in 1969 to produce a design of dignified and dateless styling. The result was the most expensive Rolls-Royce saloon ever to have been made at that time - and a motor car that was slightly heavier than its brethren; to compensate for this weight growth, extra power was achieved through a more efficient, twin-pipe exhaust. The elegance of the Camargue stems in part from its two-door concept, the aim having been to create the ultimate personal car with strong appeal to the owner-driver. This 1975 example, bearing the most distinctive registration number 1 RW, was first registered on March 3 that year and acquired after a few weeks by the late Mr Raymond Way - the well known and respected motor car dealer whose company, Raymond Way Motors of Kilburn, was the largest used car dealership in Europe in the immediate post-war years. Mr Raymond Way had a succession of chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars as his personal transport that began in the mid 1930's and were always supplied by Mr Jack Barclay, a personal friend, often purchased directly from the Motor Show stand of the year. The Camargue was his last Rolls-Royce, purchased in June 1975 at which time his Phantom VI Limousine was sold in part exchange. A letter on file from Victor Barclay confirms the "deal" at a time when Camargues were extremely difficult to acquire due to the strong demand for them. The Camargue was subsequently chauffeur and owner driven and is sold with a complete file of service invoices all from Rolls-Royce Motors Limited and MOT certificates dating back to 1978. Mr Raymond Way passed away in the Autumn of 1981, but nonetheless his lady wife kept the car garaged and regularly maintained until she passed away last year. It has been maintained regardless of cost and correspondence on file between Mrs Raymond-Way and the Rolls-Royce Motors Limited service department in North London, is testimony to the mutual respect and affection shared between the two parties. The car is sold with its original V5 Registration document in Mr Raymond Way's name and current MOT valid until 23 June. It is offered with its original owner's handbook and documentation, as well as the comprehensive history file already referred to and also a rare, special edition copy of Queste (the Rolls-Royce owners magazine) on the Camargue. The recorded mileage on the car is just about 28,000 and reflects the limited use over the years; the condition is as one would expect from a garaged motor car although there are a few minor blemishes to the paintwork in places. The interior is totally original, with front head restraints and period tape player installed. Mr Raymond Way's motoring career started as an amateur driver of an Austin Seven at Brooklands in the 1930's after which he became a member of the pre-war Rover team, competing in reliability trials. After the war he was well known for successfully competing his BMW 328 in hill climbs and sprints. His own personal collection of cars included at some time or other, the Duke of Windsor/Mrs Simpson Buick, Winston Churchill's Daimler and Nubar Gulbenkian's famous taxi! In our opinion this one owner Ro