Once the most expensive production car in the world, the Rolls-Royce Camargue was the car that set the pace for Rolls-Royce as a car manufacturer as it was the basis for which the British luxury car manufacturer produced the Rolls-Royse Silver Wraith and Silver Shadow, among other pristine models. Rolls-Royce took a different approach from their previous cars, for example, the Corniche, which the Camargue replaced when conceptualizing the Camargue tasking Pininfarina with the design and construction of the bodywork. For this reason, the Rolls-Royce Camargue remains a pivotal model among Rolls-Royce classics. However, the break in tradition is not what attracts automotive enthusiasts and connoisseurs of classic cars to it. It's the never-fading allure that the Rolls-Royce Camargue presents, with its timeless elegance exemplified by its interior that defines comfort and grandeur and an exterior design that combines minimalism and elegance. Its 220 horsepower was not even a concern as the Rolls-Royce Camargue catered to a more conservative clientele mainly comprising of stars of stage and screen who had climbed the social ladder through music, TV, and Film. Over the years, its controversial coupe styling has put the Camargue on the wrong side, with some major automotive journalists ranking it among the worst-looking cars and others condemning it the title of the worst Rolls-Royce ever made. James May himself said that it might not be ugly, but it has presence like a pug-faced but well-dressed bloke down the pub. However, these sentiments did not arise from Pininfarina's design; instead, they stemmed from the fact that the Camargue's design deviated significantly from the traditional Rolls-Royce aesthetic. This may be one of the reasons why it is not highly sought after or considered a collectible among Rolls-Royce classics, as prices rarely go above $80,000, which is considerably low for a limited-production Rolls-Royce.
Two years after Rolls-Royce became Rolls-Royce Motors, the British automaker unveiled the Rolls-Royce Camargue at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show and built it under Sir David Plastow's leadership, who led Rolls-Royce in its darker days, almost on the verge of collapse. Nonetheless, this didn't prevent the company from making an excellent car, the Rolls-Royce Camargue, which is among the cars that marked a significant shift from chauffeur-driven luxury cars to ones that placed more of an emphasis on the driver without losing Rolls-Royce's exclusivity and luxurious allure. This shift began with the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which was smaller, matching regular saloons of its era, and was the first car that Rolls-Royce built on a monocoque chassis rather than the older ladder frame chassis employed by the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Rolls-Royce used a similar monocoque chassis on the Rolls-Royce Camargue, which it shared with the Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow, but sitting at the front, its engine was slightly more powerful. Pininfarina’s Paolo Martin designed its coupe, with Coachbuilding being done at the Mulliner Division in London. Independent coachbuilders built the often-seen Camargue convertibles and represent a portion ranging from 12 to 20 of the 531 units manufactured by Rolls-Royce between 1975 and 1986.
Nested within the Rolls-Royce Camargue's sleek, elongated hood is a 6.75-liter V12, which during production made around 220 horsepower and 357 lb.ft, which fell significantly below the performance standards expected from cars of its era considering the engine's size. Still, it was more than the identical engine made in the Rolls-Royce Corniche and Silver Shadow, giving the Rolls-Royce Camargue an edge in terms of performance. However, buyers didn't particularly prioritize performance considerations, and there's a high chance the 3-speed automatic transmission didn't faze them. For a coupe, the Rolls-Royce Camargue is quite long with a 3048-mm wheelbase, a massive contributor to its weight coming in at 5,135 pounds. There's no 0-60 mph time, but it's estimated that it can reach 60mph from a standstill in roughly 11 seconds, more than enough time to start a book club and finish a trilogy. But again, the Camargue's performance numbers weren't a bother to its buyers then, and the only reason you would attempt recording time taken to reach 60mph today in one is to confirm how slow it is.
Rolls-Royce's goal to cater to the driver when building the Rolls-Royce Camargue applied to the car's overall design, including the interior, a splendid showcase of well-crafted classic luxury and craftsmanship. Lavish materials comprising leather, wood, and chrome elements and meticulous attention to detail define the cabin, creating a refined ambiance that elevates the driving experience and will make you forget how slow the Camargue is. All seats, including the rear ones, are fully covered with leather and are generally sized and padded, ensuring maximum comfort for occupants even when driving long distances. Headroom and legroom might be an issue for tall passengers in the rear seats, but only if the front seat occupants are also tall. An armrest on the rear seats is a subtle exemplification of Rolls-Royce's dedication to back seat passengers that has endured for the longest time. The dashboard is a testament to the traditional cabin layout featuring analog gauges mounted onto a wooden panel, the dashboard's centerpiece. The gauges are complemented by other traditional elements, such as chrome-plated vents and a radio at the center, adding a touch of modernity to the Rolls-Royce Camargue's cabin.
One of the reasons why the Rolls-Royce Camargue receives little praise and instead gets labeled as a mistake is its design. But like any other car, opinions on it are divided, with some enthusiasts appreciating its uniqueness and seeing it as unique and modern. Since today, luxury coupes have taken up a considerable share of the luxury car market. The clash of style between Rolls-Royce and Pininfarina felt to some like a discordant mix, but it still majorly retained Rolls-Royce elements. Upfront, the iconic Rolls-Royce Parthenon grille, a symbol of prestige, takes center stage, complemented by the Spirit of Ecstasy at the top. Further exemplifying Rolls-Royce Styling is the extensive use of chrome on the front end's elements stretching from the grille vanes to the headlight surrounds and bumper bar. Only from the side profile will you notice Pininfarina's coupe styling prevalent in Ferraris. The Italian coachbuilder's coupe styling combined with the Rolls-Royce Camargue's long and low stance gives the car a distinctive sporting silhouette. At the tail, the design doesn't shout as much as upfront, only compromising a Rolls-Royce badge, a pair of taillights, and single-tip exhausts, unobtrusively completing the Rolls-Royce Camargue's look.
The notable surge in Rolls-Royce sales during the post-war era can be attributed to the swift advancements in both its technology and design. For this reason and many others, the Rolls-Royce Camargue sold out in most markets before potential buyers got allocations. In 1975, Rolls-Royce introduced split-level climate control, the first of its kind to optimize cabin temperature in the front and the rear. The marque claimed that this design had been in development for eight years. Embracing electrification in controls elevated the convenience quotient within the Camargue's cabin, providing modern ease without sacrificing its timeless appeal. Finally, while not a ground-breaking technological leap, Rolls-Royce implemented four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels in the Rolls-Royce Camargue, significantly enhancing handling mainly because of its weight.
Despite low production numbers, Rolls-Royce Camargue examples often pop up for sale with prices averaging around $80,000. However, it's common to find listings for as low as $30,000, mainly from owners in a hurry to sell or if the car has had a rough history. Buying one as a car enthusiast and a Rolls-Royce connoisseur will undoubtedly quench the curiosity about how the rich spent their weekends in the late 1990s. The only major drawback of purchasing a Rolls-Royce Camargue is its non-collectible status. Considering its value stagnation and occasional depreciation, its low value will likely remain that way for a while. If you're considering purchasing a Rolls-Royce Camargue, you might find your dream spec listed on Exotic Car Trader's Rolls-Royce Camargue listings.
While its styling divided critics, attracting both praise and ridicule, there's no denying the Camargue's historical significance. It marked a shift for Rolls-Royce, catering more to the driver while retaining its exclusivity and luxurious allure, setting the stage for other Rolls-Royce luxury coupes such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and Rolls-Royce Wraith. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! Today, the Camargue may not be the most sought-after classic Rolls-Royce. However, its unique design, historical significance, and relatively affordable price tag make it an intriguing proposition for enthusiasts who appreciate its bold individuality and undeniable presence.
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