Let’s be honest, buying a Rolls-Royce isn’t about getting from A to B – it’s about being seen when you arrive. Here are the most expensive and historic Rolls-Royce cars of all time.
A Rolls-Royce car is the pinnacle of personal luxury and automotive ingenuity. These are cars that often come with a chauffeur, not because they need to (indeed, these cars are a pleasure to drive), but because they can. This historic company was first founded in 1900 by engineer Henry Royce and aviation pioneer Charles Rolls, and it has come a very long way from the first 10 horsepower two seater built in 1904. Rolls-Royce now produces everything from yacht-inspired Coachbuilds to SUVs, and some models cost more than a Malibu mansion.
Also Read: Prestige and Craftsmanship of Luxury Cars
The Most Expensive Rolls Royce in the World
Automotive enthusiasts will know that buying a Rolls-Royce isn’t like buying a Porsche or any other factory-made premier vehicle. Sworn to bespoke excellence, these ultra-luxurious cars are built by hand and customised to a buyer’s exact preferences from the inside out. Here are some of the most expensive and historic Rolls-Royces of all time.
2017 Rolls-Royce Sweptail – $13 million
The 2017 Rolls-Royce Sweptail was the most expensive car in the world until its new siblings in the Coachbuild series claimed the top spot. This one-off custom car was built at the request of a wealthy patron who sought a vehicle that emulated the classic design of a twentieth century coach while also drawing on the design of a luxury yacht. The Sweptail has a stunning uninterrupted glass roof which lets natural light flood the interiors, embodying the brand’s philosophy of elegance as simplicity. This striking Rolls-Royce took four years to build, and its 6.6 V-12 engine produces 453 horsepower.
Also Read: Porsche's Most Expensive Car
Rolls-Royce Phantom Gold – $8.1 million
This Rolls-Royce is exactly what it sounds like: a classic Phantom plated with some serious precious metal. An anonymous Middle Eastern businessman purchased a Phantom Gold in 2011 for $8.1 million, and it remains one of the most expensive classic Rolls-Royces ever sold. Designed by Stuart Hughes and armoured by Switzerland-based Eurocash AG, this Rolls-Royce is secured against AK47s, sniper shots and even hand-grenades, making it something of a military tank in the frame of a luxury vehicle. A substantial part of the $8.1 million price tag boils down to the 120kg of 18-carat gold, which evidently justifies the armouring. The Phantom’s twin-turbo V-12 engine produces 563 horsepower and shoots from 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds.
Also Read: Most Expensive Car Brand
1904 Rolls-Royce – $7.3 million
The car which started everything for Rolls-Royce – the 1904 Rolls-Royce has a delicate horsepower of just 10hp, but it raked in $7.3 million at a Bonham’s auction in 2007, nearly $5 million above asking price. While modern Rolls-Royces are designed for the luxury market, the first cars produced by the manufacturer were marketed toward doctors and medical professionals. Throughout its time on the road in the early twentieth century, this classic car was owned by a series of British doctors, such as Dr. Kenneth MacGregor of Thurso and Dr. W H Wishart of Fife. Just 17 of these 10hp models were made, and only four are thought to have survived. This $7.3 million car was purchased by a private British collector.
Also Read: Golden Ferraris Price
Rolls-Royce Hyperion Pininfarina – $9.8 million (for sale)
In many ways, the 2008 Hyperion Pininfarina is like the black sheep of the Rolls-Royce family. The original owner of this one-off custom built car sold it not long after commissioning it for an equivalent of $4.6 million, and it hasn’t found a stable home since. Designed by legendary Italian car maker Pininfarina, this Hyperion takes the base of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and transforms it into a lilac-blue two seater convertible with a subtle 1950s design inflection.
The Hyperion Pininfarina is currently for sale at a Dubai dealership for a staggering $9.8 million, where it has been for several years. In 2020, the car was priced substantially lower at $2.3 million, reflecting its struggle to resonate with the right buyer.
Also Read: Luxury Ferrari Cars
1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé – $1.16 million
The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was one of the most iconic cars of the 1950s and 1960s, and it marked a notable shift toward a more contemporary style of luxury vehicle. It had a quieter engine, a small bumper and an increasingly comfortable interior with separate front seats. This particular Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé is perhaps the most iconic of all, since it belonged to the glamorous movie star Sophia Loren.
Adapted by H.J. Mulliner, this deep blue Rolls-Royce was gifted to Loren by her husband, Carlo Ponti, and it features in the 1963 Italian classic, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (it has since been restored to a darker blue than the steel blue in the film). This iconic car was sold at a price of $1.16 million by RM Sotheby’s in 2021, reflecting the vehicle’s enduring legacy. Similar Silver Cloud models have enjoyed time on the silver screen, appearing in movies and shows like Burke’s Law, The Avengers and Blowup.
Looking forward, prices are soaring
Many of the most expensive Rolls-Royces sold have found a significant portion of value in their legacies as exclusive, historic cars (and, in some cases, in the 120kg 18-carat gold plating). As the company establishes itself as a luxury manufacturer of the future as well as the past, it’s only upping the ante, building models more lavish than ever.
Also Read: Best Exotic Sports Cars
Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail – $31 million
In early March, an anonymous billionaire in Singapore finally received his or her long-awaited Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail – a $31 million custom build that was four years in the making. This luxury automobile is as close to a yacht on wheels as you'll find: the upholstery is made of white and tan leather; the decklid is crafted from smooth Santos Straight Grain, and there are beautiful wooden veneered curves throughout the entire interior. The patron reportedly oversaw every detail of the design, from the complex haute clock face to the Formula-1 inspired carbon fibre stylings. This Arcadia Droptail is one of four models from the company’s exquisite Coachbuild series, and it produces an impressive 593 horsepower.
Also Read: Timeless Classic Cars
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail – $25-28 million
Another nautical themed Coachbuild, the oceanic blue Boat Tail is one of Rolls-Royce’s most ambitious and experimental builds yet. Much like the Sweptail, this ultra-luxurious car is built with the same chassis as the Phantom, but it has nearly two thousand additional bespoke elements. This car was designed to evoke a sense of occasion and celebration, which is reflected in the extravagant unfolding rear that pops open to reveal a ‘hosting suite’, complete with a parasol, rotating cocktail tables, stools and fine Christofle tableware.
The Boat Tail Rolls-Royce even comes with a double refrigerator that houses the owner’s ‘favourite’ vintages of Armand de Brignac champagne, which is in many ways a rather bizarre feature for a street-legal car. This dazzling blue automobile is rumoured to belong to Beyonce and Jay-Z – the latter of whom is the co-owner of Armand de Brignac champagne.
Also Read: BMW Expensive Car
Final Take
Rolls-Royce earned its reputation not only by attracting a luxury client base, but through genuine automotive innovation. For more than a hundred years, the company has operated on the reliable philosophy of ‘gradual refinement’, enabling it to adapt to a changing market without losing the authenticity of the brand. Following the 2023 release of its first fully electric vehicle (Spectre), Rolls-Royce has pledged to transition to a fully electric model by 2030. Time will tell how this shift impacts the prices of these legacy fuel-based models.
