We get to look at some great cars here at Pursuitist – but this one isn’t just a great car, it’s a piece of history. It potentially could be the highest selling care in history.
Originally commissioned by Thakorsaheb Dharmendrasinhji, the Maharaja of Rajkot, this 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental is now for sale for £8,000,000.00. The current owner, Hans-Gunther Zach is selling his entire collection of Rolls’ and Bentleys but the Star of India is indeed the star in that collection. The Maharaja had it painted saffron to depict the spirit of Hindutva, and it sure is breath-taking watching the polished aluminum shine in coalescence with that saffron paint. The Star featured revolutionary new technology like adaptive curve lights following the movements of the steering wheel and an “all weather” Torpedo Convertible made by Thrupp & Maberly. The engine is a more powerful Continental 7.7 litre pushrod V8 and the Maharaja originally had 14 headlamps put on the car to combat the dark Indian nights, or just scare the living daylights out of his donkey riding countrymen. – From James List