1976 Rolls-Royce Camargue, beautifully restored

1976 Rolls Royce Camargue

So what’s the chosen transport for the typical aristocrat, captain of industry, nightclub entrepreneur, brothel keeper….?

That would be the Rolls-Royce Camargue; rakish sporting flagship coupe of the RR range from 1975–1986. And this superb car’s legacy covers that whole span of demographic stereotype. It presents as a thoroughly, sensitively and expertly restored example, thanks to the efforts of its current owner who has lavished a generous budget and some 10 years to the process. As a result, this car is surely one of the best and most usable of the 531 cars that were originally produced by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. If you are looking for a rare, Pininfarina designed luxury coupe that embodies the flair of European 1970s design and the very best of British craftsmanship, then look no further.

Unveiled in 1975 as the most expensive car available for the world’s public road, and in production for 11 years, this daring Pininfarina sculpture was 3 times the price of an Aston Martin V8 at the time our 1976 example was delivered. Price, however was largely brushed away as a concern by period factory literature ‘The quality will remain when the price is forgotten’.

Pininfarina’s design language was somewhat of a departure for Rolls-Royce; its slab-sided, rakish lines creating a different profile to the in-house designed Silver Shadow. And whilst the Crewe design department was less impressed with the changes, the Camargue has somehow aged better, and now feels far more modern than its stablemates. Early models, which includes our example were built on a Silver Shadow long wheelbase floorpan, and its 6.75 litre V8 provided ‘perfectly adequate’ performance. Interior is typically luxurious, and again whilst lavished with wood, leather and lambswool rugs, the design is far sharper; split heating and ventilation allows for air-conditioned cold face, with warm feet, there are 5 ash trays and electrically adjusted chairs, and the whole passenger and driver experience is super refined.

Constructed in 1976, and delivered new in 1977 to Grassicks of Perth, a Scottish Rolls-Royce dealership, it was immediately exported to the Middle East. Returning to the UK a couple of years later, the car needed some £18,000 worth of rectification work at Crewe before it could be supplied to its next owner in 1979. Following the ownership of the next few corporate keepers, the car was bought in 1999 by a nightclub owner/ convicted drug dealer, before being purchased by a Bristol car collector who later had to sell the Camargue to a local dealer, along with several other exotic examples to pay court demands and legal costs for convictions of brothel keeping and tax evasion. A colourful history indeed, and the Camargue was starting to show the battle scars of its past when it was spotted by its current custodian in 2015.

Remarkably, the car retained evidence of its past in a comprehensive history file which remains intact, and the brothel keeper had stored the car in a temperature-controlled environment. Mileage was verified at around 50,000. Paint and interior showed signs of wear, but there was minimal corrosion and no signs of any accident damage. At this point the car underwent a thorough mechanical recommissioning program by specialist Chris Moroney, and then just used and enjoyed over the next few years for regular duties, along with European adventures to Lake Como and the like.

In 2020 it was decided to return the Camargue to its former elegant glory, and a thorough schedule of works was undertaken. This included further mechanical recommissioning and subsequent maintenance by marque experts, a full bare metal repaint, with all metal repair and fabrication properly crafted. The interior was removed and seats taken back to hide before re-connolising, marquetry repaired and replaced, even the sumptuous lambswool over rugs have been replaced with new at great expense.

This car now presents as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars originally intended, and in 2024, the car was invited to be displayed at NEC Classic Car Show Pride of Ownership. The ethos of our vendor throughout his custody echoes that of Mr Royce.

“Strive for perfection in everything you do.

Take the best that exists and make it better.

When is does not exist, design it.

Accept nothing nearly right or good enough.”

— Henry Royce. mechanic.

You will not find a more cherished, expertly restored or well presented example of the Rolls-Royce Camargue; complete with a fabulous history file which tells ints unique story, this an excellent investment grade car which is eminently usable.

POA