A unique opportunity to buy the car of one of the most revered rock stars of the last millennium. RM Sotheby's will auction the 1974 rolls royce silver shadow 1974 that belonged to the leader of Queen at its London auction.
Pro-Ukraine charity auction
This is not a commercial auction but a charity event organized in collaboration with Mercury's family to finance the Superhumans of Ukraine association with the aim of financing the construction of a hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, for the treatment of the wounded of the current conflict.
This is not the first time that the car has been offered up for auction, as it has been the part of the Coys auction in 2013, with the car awarded for 74,600 pounds to a wealthy Russian admirer. Curious to find it today in a pro-Ukraine charity event.
The signing-contracts Rolls Royce
The car is well known, and certified. It is the protagonist of a filmed episode in which Jim Beach, Queen's long time manager, meets the band to film the video of We Will Rock You and Mercury arrives at the appointment (in the Roger Taylor new Surrey country house) in his flamboyant Rolls Royce with WLX 293M license plate. The manager also recalls that Mercury insisted on having the contracts signed by the entire band in the back seat of Crewe's elegant car.
The car ownership moved to Mercury's company, Goose Productions Ltd in 1979 and remained as Freddie's personal car (albeit chauffeured) until his death from AIDS complications in 1991. The car is accompanied by invoices, coupons and assistance bills that show the name of Mary Austin, former partner of Mercury that has always taken care of the car.
The car's last public appearance was for the presentation of the musical We Will Rock You in May 2002.
80s icon
The car is a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow in Silver Chalice with a blue interior. The car, registered in 1974, (chassis SRH 18696) is in fair condition, but having stood still for a long time in a garage, it certainly needs a fulll service to regain the streets.
First unibody Rolls Royce, the Silver Shadow was a major breakthrough in the British marque's production. In its two series (also including the long wheelbase versions Silver Wraith) approximately 30,000 units were produced from 1965 to 1981.
The esteems for this car, under normal conditions, would remain abundantly below 10,000 euros, but given the importance of the ex-owner and the beneficial intent of the sale (the car is offered without reserve), higher offers are obviously expected.
Here is the link to the presentation of the lot from RM Sotheby's website