Music fans have the chance to buy a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history when Bee Gees star Maurice Gibbs’ beloved Rolls-Royce convertible goes under the hammer later this month.
(Credit: REUTERS)
The Stayin’ Alive singer, who topped the charts across the globe with his brothers Barry and Robin, bought the 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche in 1979 as part of his collection from the classic British marque.
Notes on the sale from Silverstone Auctions, who are selling the highly-collectable vehicle on August 27 for a guide price of £100,000 to £115,000, reveal some fascinating background to the swish set of wheels.
They say:
“When Maurice Gibb walked into the HR Owen showroom at Melton Court in South Kensington on the 17th April 1979 and saw this 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible in Masons Black with a St James red leather interior showing 30,214 miles, he parted with the incredible sum of £35,000. Bearing in mind that this was a six-year old car with 30,000 miles, he paid over three times the car’s list price when new, or double the price of a contemporary Ferrari 308 with change left over for a brand new Ford Capri!”
The classic car has around 53,000 miles on the clock and is sold together with Maurice’s private registration plate “9829 MG”.
The pop star tragically died in 2003 at the age of 53, but the car remained in the family until 2012.
Since then it has undergone around £35,000 of restoration and repair, which include a new upgraded interior and dark red mohair power hood.
The Bee Gees spent their early years in Manchester but emigrated to Australia as children and found fame Down Under, before dominating the charts during the 1970s and 1980s.
Smash hits such as Night Fever, Jive Talkin’, How Deep Is Your Love and More Than a Woman earned them enough money to live a lavish lifestyle, with Maurice and his elder brother Barry both residing in Miami, Florida.
Like many rock stars of his generation, Maurice developed a passion for Rolls-Royce and also owned a 1964 Silver Cloud convertible, a 1948 Silver Wraith, plus a Silver Shadow.
Vipul Davé, Specialist Cars Manager at Select Car Leasing - who helps motorists get behind the wheel of high-class and luxurious motors - believes the eye-catching classic car is likely to generate some serious interest.
He said:
“There can’t be many people who wouldn’t want to experience the unadulterated luxury of driving one of the premium British marques – and this Corniche is no ordinary Rolls-Royce. The chrome-bumpered models from 1971 to 1977 are highly prized, and just like Maurice Gibb was a rare talent in the pop world, there weren’t many Corniche Convertibles produced in this classic Masons Black colour.
“The thought of cruising along, top down and the wind in your hair, with some classic Bee Gees hits pumping out of the stereo is enough to thrill both music and motoring fans.”
(Credit: SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS/TRIANGLE NEWS)
Other lots at the classic car auction staged in Leamington Spa include Princess Diana’s much-loved black Ford Escort RS Turbo that she drove from 1985 to 1988.
The nippy motor ferried around young princes William and Harry, and always had a detective in the passenger seat as part of Diana’s security detail.
It is expected to go for well over £100,000.
Select’s Specialist expert Mr Davé added:
“If you think buying a regular second hand car is costly at the moment, due to the Covid pandemic and supply issues, some of these auction models are through the roof.
“But when you consider the history and rarity of the models on sale, it’s clear there are people around the globe willing to pay a great deal of money to own a piece of motoring history.”
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