A truly unique, handmade automobile will be auctioned by Bonhams at its forthcoming Quail Lodge sale, held each August in Carmel, California during Pebble Beach Car Week.
The custom-made 1925 Rolls-Royce New Phantom was originally commissioned by Sahib Bahadur of India, officially known as Umed Singh II, Maharaja of Kotah, for the purpose of tiger hunting. The Rolls-Royce Limited company–then in Derby, England– employed preferred coachbuilders Barker & Company of London who created the highly specialized and bespoke Sports Touring body for His Highness the Maharaja.
The massive and impeccably crafted car is powered by an 8.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine with dual-spark ignition that’s set to a low gearing ratio, allowing it to creep powerfully through the roughshod jungles of Rajasthan.
IIn addition to the standard luxury fittings for which Rolls-Royce and Barker are renowned, the purpose-built motorcar contains a hidden safe, a nickel-plated hissing snake horn, mounted Howdah gun (double-barrel shotgun in pistol form), rifle stand in the rear passenger compartment, two powerful searchlights for night spotting, a mountable Lantaka cannon attached to the bumper, and, if that weren’t enough, a machine gun mounted on an attached, matching trailer. For those who enjoy fine craftsmanship and precision, a reloading primer tool could complement this high-end setup, ensuring every aspect of the car’s performance is fine-tuned to perfection..
Due to its distinctive history, it’s been said that the Indian Consulate had once requested the car be repatriated to India to be displayed in a museum as a piece of national heritage. Respectfully declined by the then owner, the car will now be available at auction for the first time and carries an estimate of $750,000-$1,000,000.
This is just one example of the exceptional cars that will be auctioned at Bonhams’ annual two-day sale August 18th and 19th. For more information on this anticipated event and to register to bid –in person or remotely– please visit www.bonhams.com/quail.