Culture / Auctions

Maharaja”s ”Tiger-Car” Rolls-Royce on auction

One of the world’s most unique Rolls-Royce adaptations is set to go under the hammer next month, with the sale of a model equipped specifically for tiger hunting. The 1925 Rolls-Royce New Phantom was originally commissioned by Umed Singh II of India, the Maharaja of Kotah, for use while tiger hunting. This led to some […]

Jul 29, 2011 | By AFPRelaxnews

1925 Rolls-Royce New Phantom

One of the world’s most unique Rolls-Royce adaptations is set to go under the hammer next month, with the sale of a model equipped specifically for tiger hunting.

The 1925 Rolls-Royce New Phantom was originally commissioned by Umed Singh II of India, the Maharaja of Kotah, for use while tiger hunting.

This led to some additions such as a mounted Howdah double-barrel shotgun, a rifle stand in the passenger compartments and a mountable Lantaka cannon.

The model also boasts a hissing snake horn and a hidden safe, while for night-time hunting, Rolls-Royce added two powerful searchlights and a separate machine gun mounted on a matching trailer.

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The massive 8.0-litre six cylinder engine is set to a low-gearing ratio, allowing it to move through the jungles of Rajasthan.

Tiger hunting is, of course, no longer an option for would-be owners of this beast, as the wild tiger is now one of the most threatened species on the planet and hunting is illegal in most countries.

Bonhams, the auctioneers behind the sales, believes the model will sell for $750,000 – $1,000,000 and it is believed to have already been requested once by Indian authorities as a piece of national heritage.

It will go under the hammer on August 18-19 at the Quail Lodge sale, a two-day event held as part of Pebble Beach Classic Car Week and Monterey Auto Week in California.

The week culminates with the 57th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the world’s most famous classic car sales.

Source: AFPrelaxnews

Maharaja tiger-hunter Rolls-Royce


 
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