Details:

Oldtimer Australia is offering for sale a rare, Australian delivered, factory right hand drive 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue.

There is correspondence on file dated 25th April 1975, between Rolls-Royce and Mr Bennett from York Motors in Sydney where Rolls-Royce advises him that one (only) of the first years supply or Camargue motor cars had been allocated to York Motors. The colour specification for the car would be as follows: Paint Sepia (ICI.M.151-TW.25107), Hide Nuella Olive Green (5002), Headlining Beige Cloth (TRA 40), Carpet Woodpecker Bronze (2125).

Correspondence dated 15th August 1975 confirms the car was ordered by Mr MK Robertson from Surfers Paradise in Queensland.

The delivery note on file, dated 12th January 1976, confirms the delivery of the car to Robertson. The car was not shipped to Australia straight away, rather Robertson kept it in the UK to use until early 1977. He then had Rolls-Royce ship the car to Australia on the 9th May 1977. The car was shipped on the Australian Venture which sailed from Liverpool on 30th May 1977 and arrived in Sydney on the 2nd July 1977.

By the mid 1980s the car was owned by Mr B Lawrence from Canberra in the ACT.

On the 15th October 1990 the car was sold to Lindsay Fox (Linfox Transport) by Hamiltons Rolls-Royce and Bentley in Melbourne, Victoria. At that time the odometer read approximately 49,000 km (149,000 km). Fox has a known soft spot for the Camargue and still retains one in his collection today.

By 2010 the car had found its way to NSW where it was owned by a well known collector and client of Oldtimer Australia. He has owned an eclectic variety of cars over the years and he has fond memories of his time with this car.

The current owner purchased this Rolls-Royce Camargue from Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist David Ekberg in Melbourne on the 15th February 2012. At that time the odometer read 77,779 km (177,779 km). He bought the car with the intention to use it and he has done exactly that. In his 14 years of ownership he has travelled almost 75,000 km in the car and at the time of photographing the odometer read 51,096 km (251,096 km).

The car is owned by a passionate Rolls-Royce enthusiast who is an active member of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club and the car is regularly seen at events. He has even from time to time used the car as a daily driver! Unfortunately, due to ill health he is no longer able to drive and the car is therefore reluctantly offered for sale.

From the time the current owner acquired the car it has been maintained by highly respected classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist Steve Sparks from NBS Services in Brisbane. Given that the car was initially used as a daily driver, reliability was very important to him and therefore when something needed to be done it was done. The cars maintenance history is supported by a very think file of receipts that will accompany the car. Its most recent service was completed by NBS Services on the 7th May 2025 and at that time the odometer read 47,997 km (247,997 km). Prior to that the car was serviced by NBS Services on the 28th May 2024 at 44,321 km (244,321 km).

Today this Rolls-Royce Camargue presents as a well cared for nice driver. In fact its presentation and condition today is a credit to its previous owners who have obviously cherished and carefully maintained this majestic Rolls-Royce.

From a meter or so away the car still presents well, however, a closer inspection reveals a number of imperfections in the paint. The paint may well be original in places, however, the rear of the car has been repainted and it would have had other sympathetic touch ups over the years, which is not surprising given it is incredibly a 50 year old car! The most notable issues with the paint are crazing on the bonnet, an area approximately 25 mm in diameter on the right front guard, a mark approximately 10 mm long on the drivers door, paint flaking inside the door jambs and a crack in the paint on the section between the rear window and the boot lid. There are also stone chips on the front of the car. Notwithstanding these age related blemishes, the paint remains in reasonably good condition overall. The Sepia colour is unmistakably seventies and in the sunlight it truly comes alive.

The bright work on the car, including the bumpers, window trims, beltline trim and the door handles are all generally in good condition. There are some light scratches evident, consistent with fair wear and tear. The imposing grill with its Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture is a real feature and it is in very good condition.

The lights and all the lenses present well with no cracks evident. The same can be said for all the glass, which is in good condition. A new front windscreen was fitted to the car in May 2022 by NBS Services.

The wheels are shod with BF Goodrich Advantage Touring tyres, size 235/70 R15. The front tyres are date stamped 4323 (week 43, 2023) and the rear tyres are date stamped 4123 (week 41, 2023). The tyres are still in good condition. They were fitted in August 2024 and at that time the odometer read 46,086 km (246,086 km). The wheel trims and hub caps are another feature on a Rolls-Royce Camargue and they present well on this car.

The doors on a Rolls-Royce Camargue are massive, which allows access to the rear seats. Given their size you have to make sure you have plenty of space around the car before you open them! The interior of this car is just fabulous! First impressions are really good and the Olive Green upholstery compliments the Sepia paint work perfectly. The upholstery is mostly in excellent condition. The front seats have been retrimmed with high quality Ingleston leather and they are, as one would expect, exceptionally comfortable. The rear seats would hardly have ever been used and whilst they are in very good condition there is a small tear on the top of the left rear seat.

In cars of this era it is very common for the top of the dashboard to crack. Fortunately on this car, the dashboard and the wooden inlay are in good condition. All the instruments are in good condition and on our test drive they appeared to be in good working order. In May 2025 the current owner has replaced the original radio with a modern retro radio as the original one was no longer working. The electric windows work and on our test drive the air conditioning was blowing cold air.

The wood in just about every Rolls-Royce is a feature and it certainly looks the part in this Camargue, however, the wood at the top of the doors is showing its age and would benefit from a revarnish. The headlining is clean, has not sagged and presents well.

Under the bonnet everything looks to be very original, though neat and tidy. The boot is similarly well presented.

From cold the 6,750cc V8 engine starts effortlessly and it quickly settles into a smooth idle. First impressions are good. The engine runs with that characteristic Rolls-Royce composure, ticking over quietly and reassuringly. Once warm, you select drive and with a gentle touch the car moves confidently onto the road. Despite its substantial presence, the Camargue proves remarkably easy to drive. The power assisted steering is light and precise, making manoeuvring effortless, while its surprisingly nimble turning circle belies the cars generous proportions.

Out on the open road this car just goes about its business in that aristocratic Rolls-Royce way. Driving a Camargue is all about the experience of refinement, composure and the subtle pleasures of a hand-crafted motor car a timeless blend of power, luxury and dignity that only Rolls-Royce can provide.

The engine is smooth and quiet, yet delivering ample power effortlessly when called upon, the gear changes are also smooth and the ride embodies the characteristic Rolls-Royce comfort, being serene, composed, and supremely refined. Braking is confident and precise, bringing the car to rest quickly and in a straight line without any fuss. The cruise control is working.

As noted above, the current owner is reluctantly offering his beloved Rolls-Royce Camargue for sale as a result of being unable to drive due to medial reasons.

We think the Rolls-Royce Camargue is a real sleeper, a classic car that has crept under the radar for many years. The controversial design has aged well and today most people think they are just cool. They are rare and offer a huge amount of car for the money.

As the next owner of this car you have the choice to continue to use and enjoy it exactly as it is or take it up to the next level.

Accompanying the car is an extensive history file, including the original build sheets, an owners manual, a rare original leather folder with press information, the original tool kit, jack, spare wheel and a roll of leather hide used for retrimming the seats.

Highlights:

- Rare car being 1 of only 531 examples built.
- Australian delivered, very early car.
- Matching numbers.
- Fantastic period colour scheme.
- Impressive history file which includes the build sheets.
- Excellent club car, ready to use and enjoy.

Price $84,950


Background:

The legend that was to become Rolls-Royce was founded in May 1904 when a deal was struck between Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls. Shortly after, the first Rolls-Royce motor car the Rolls-Royce 10 hp was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in December 1904. It was agreed that Rolls-Royce would initially manufacture four different models being a two cylinder 10hp model, a three cylinder 15hp model, a four cylinder 20hp model and a six cylinder 20hp model. It was immediately apparent that to manufacture their cars Rolls-Royce would require a larger factory and the decision was made to establish their headquarters and manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Derby in the East Midlands of England.

On the 15th March 1906 the company Rolls-Royce Limited was formed and during this year Royce had been developing an improved six cylinder model with more power than the 30hp. Initially designated the 40/50hp, this was the companys first all-new model that was also to become known as the Silver Ghost.

Like all car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce was impacted by the First World War. Times were tough and post war the company made a strategic decision to manufacture a cheaper smaller car, enter the Rolls-Royce 20hp. This model was a success and produced alongside the Silver Ghost and its successor the Phantom ensuring the Rolls-Royce motor car company would survive and prosper.

In 1931 Rolls-Royce acquired the Bentley motor car company.

Post the Second World War a significant milestone in Rolls-Royce history was the introduction of the Silver Dawn, which was the first model with a factory built body. In April 1955 Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud and for the next eleven years this model was at the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce production. The Cloud evolved through three major model iterations, being the Silver Cloud I, Silver Cloud II and Silver Cloud III until it was superseded by the Silver Shadow. The last of the Silver Clouds rolled off the Crewe production line in 1965 although specialist coachbuilders were still offering the Cloud III in early 1966. During this time some 7,372 cars were built.

One of the major changes to occur during Silver Cloud production was to the engine. The 4.9 litre 6 cylinder engine used in the Cloud I was replaced by a 6.2 litre V8 engine for the Cloud II. This change ensured the Cloud II had far greater performance all round.

With the arrival of the Cloud III in 1963 the car had now evolved both internally and externally, albeit subtly. The major visual difference was the introduction of the quad head light set up that was to be continued on the Silver Shadow and a lowered bonnet. The Cloud III also shed a few kilos further improving performance and handling.

In 1965 the Silver Cloud III was replaced by the Silver Shadow. The Silver Shadow remained in production till 1980 and became the largest production volume model for the company at that time with just over 30,000 produced.

In 1975 Rolls-Royce introduced its flagship model, the Camargue. Designed by Paola Martin at Pininfarina the Camargue was the first post-war Rolls-Royce which was not designed in house. The controversial design is a striking blend of classic Rolls-Royce elegance and bold, Italian inspired design. Its lines are clean, sculpted, and purposeful, with a low-slung, muscular stance that gives it presence without ostentation. Like many other Rolls-Royce motor cars the coach work was completed by Mulliner Park Ward. At the time the Camargue was the most expensive production car in the world.

The Rolls-Royce Camargue remained in production through until 1986 and a total of 531 examples were produced.