Rolls-Royce has been synonymous with luxury since its earliest days. The brand’s opulent vehicles are highly sought after by VIPs across the globe.
Its lineup features a variety of options suited to different lifestyles, from the elegant Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe to the commanding Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV.
Rolls-Royce cars are as famous for their exceptional quality as they are for their staggering price tags, making them a significant investment regardless of the model chosen.
However, as astonishingly expensive as standard Rolls-Royce production cars may be, they are not the costliest vehicles the company has ever produced.
That distinction belongs to Rolls-Royce’s bespoke Coachbuild creations, which elevate an already luxurious foundation to unprecedented levels of extravagance.
Close behind in value are vintage Rolls-Royce models some of which date back over a century commanding millions at auction due to their rarity and historical significance.
Let’s take a closer look at ten of the most expensive Rolls-Royces ever sold.
1. Rolls-Royce Droptail La Rose Noire
Price: $30 Million
Carrying an astonishing estimated price tag of around $30 million, the Rolls-Royce Droptail holds the title as the most expensive new car ever produced.
Only four Droptail models will be built, each uniquely designed and given its own distinctive name.
The first of these, unveiled in August last year, is named La Rose Noire, inspired by the Black Baccara rose variety that served as the central theme for its design.
Each Droptail is also accompanied by a custom-made watch that can be seamlessly mounted on the dashboard.The Droptail marks a historic milestone as the first two-door, open-top, two-seater ever created by Rolls-Royce.
It takes design inspiration from some of the brand’s most iconic models and is powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine, delivering an impressive 563 horsepower.
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2. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
Price:$28 Million
Unveiled in 2021, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is another masterpiece from the brand’s exclusive Coachbuild division. Only three units of the Boat Tail were produced, each tailored precisely to the owner’s individual preferences.
Like the Droptail, it also includes a custom wristwatch designed to match the vehicle.
Built on the Phantom platform, the Boat Tail shares the same powerful V12 engine as the Droptail.
Staying true to its nautical-inspired name, the design takes styling cues from luxury yachts, featuring a “hosting suite” at the rear complete with its own parasol.
Rolls-Royce went to extraordinary lengths in crafting this vehicle, designing and manufacturing a total of 1,813 bespoke components specifically for the Boat Tail.
3. Rolls-Royce Sweptail
Price:$12.9 Million
The Rolls-Royce Sweptail is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, crafted to bring the vision of an exclusive VIP client to life.
It marked the revival of Rolls-Royce’s historic Coachbuild division, serving as the first in a new generation of ultra-luxury, bespoke vehicles.
While the exact price was never officially disclosed Rolls-Royce’s CEO declined to confirm a precise figure estimates suggest that the Sweptail cost approximately $12.9 million, making it the most expensive new car at the time of its production.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic Rolls-Royce models of the 1920s and 1930s, the Sweptail boasts an entirely custom design, with nearly every detail crafted specifically for this singular vehicle even the license plate is bespoke.
Its streamlined, sweeping roofline creates a dynamic visual effect, giving the impression of motion even when the car is at a standstill. Beneath the hood, the Sweptail is powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine, producing 435 horsepower.
4. 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Round Door
Price:$7.2 Million
This distinctive Rolls-Royce Phantom began its journey in 1925 with a classic Hooper and Co. cabriolet body, originally intended for a buyer in Detroit.
However, before it ever left the United Kingdom, the car was resold to the Raja of Nanpara.
After spending time in India and passing through multiple owners, the vehicle underwent a dramatic transformation in the early 1930s, courtesy of the Belgian coachbuilders Jonckheere.
Jonckheere redesigned the car with its now-famous circular doors and devised an innovative two-piece window system to address the challenge of functioning windows within the round doors.
This striking design made the Phantom I Round Door one of the most recognizable and unique Rolls-Royces ever built.
In 2018, the car was auctioned for $7.2 million. Today, it resides at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where it continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts from around the world.
5. 1904 Rolls-Royce 10hp
Price:$7.2 Million
This exceptionally rare Rolls-Royce is considered one of the few surviving examples of the brand’s very first model. Despite its 10hp designation, the car actually generated 12 horsepower, courtesy of a 1.8-liter engine, which was later upgraded to 2.0 liters in subsequent versions.
During the era when the 10hp was manufactured, Rolls-Royce did not produce its own bodywork. Instead, customers were directed to coachbuilders who would craft a custom body tailored to their preferences.
As a result, every 10hp still in existence features a unique design. However, one element remains consistent the triangular radiator, a defining feature that continues to be a hallmark of Rolls-Royce’s design language to this day.
6. 1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Double Pullman Limousine
Price:$6.4 Million
Following the debut of the 10hp, Rolls-Royce introduced a more powerful model, the 40/50hp. This particular vehicle stood apart from other luxury cars of its time because it was engineered with the driver’s comfort in mind.
Unlike most high-end automobiles of the era where the emphasis was placed solely on passenger luxury the front seat of the 40/50hp was just as comfortable as the rear, allowing its owner to enjoy the thrill of driving rather than solely relying on a chauffeur.
More than just a symbol of wealth and refinement, this car was designed to be driven for pleasure, an innovative concept for the time. It also became a cultural icon, igniting a passion for toy cars in both children and adults.
The 40/50hp served as the inspiration for the famous Corgi line of model cars, earning it the nickname “Corgi.” In 2012, the car fetched $6.4 million at a Bonhams auction at Goodwood.
7. 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Hyperion by Pininfarina
Price:$3.3 Million
The renowned Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, famous for designing some of Ferrari’s most stunning vehicles, collaborated on this one-of-a-kind Phantom, making it a truly unique automobile.
While the Hyperion retains the unmistakable Rolls-Royce identity, subtle modifications to the body’s lines create a distinct shape that sets it apart from the original Phantom.
Additional exclusive features include carbon-fiber body panels and a custom timepiece crafted by the Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux.
As of last year, this Phantom Hyperion was still available for sale in Dubai, listed in brand-new condition with a price tag of $3,268,000.
8. 1954 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Limousine ‘Princess Margaret’ by H.J. Mulliner
Price:$2.6 Million
When Rolls-Royce introduced the Phantom IV, the company adhered to an unwritten rule the model was exclusively reserved for royalty and heads of state.
With only 16 examples in existence, the Phantom IV is one of the rarest Rolls-Royces ever produced, and every surviving model remains in pristine condition.
This particular 1954 Phantom IV was custom-built for HRH Princess Margaret and finished in black. One of its most remarkable features was its power-operated windows, an exceptional technological advancement for its time.
Given its royal ownership, the car also incorporated several bespoke adaptations, including a dual-radio system if Princess Margaret turned on her personal radio in the rear cabin, it would automatically disable the chauffeur’s radio, ensuring privacy.
Notably, the Phantom IV was the only Rolls-Royce model ever produced with an eight-cylinder engine, delivering 164 horsepower.
An automatic transmission was installed at Princess Margaret’s request, as she occasionally enjoyed driving the car herself.
One more distinguishing detail you won’t find a Spirit of Ecstasy ornament on this Phantom. As royalty, Princess Margaret had the privilege of requesting its removal.
9. 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupé by Freestone & Webb
Price:$2.4 Million
The Phantom II was designed with performance in mind, featuring stiff springs and a low-ratio rear axle, which allowed for quicker acceleration.
The original owner of this particular model, British cotton magnate Sir John Leigh, had a strong preference for high-performance vehicles and wanted his Phantom to be as sporty as possible.
To achieve this, several performance-focused enhancements were incorporated, including a dropped exhaust pipe and six-inch gauges for the speedometer and tachometer.
Under the hood, this Phantom II housed a 7.7-liter six-cylinder engine, delivering 120 horsepower.
From a design perspective, the car stood out with its long hoodline and sharp, angular lines, an early representation of what would later become Rolls-Royce’s signature “razor edge” design.
In 2013, this Phantom II Continental Sports Coupé was sold for $2,420,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction.
10. 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Special Town Car by Brewster
Price:$2.3 Million
Like some of the modern Coachbuild models, this unique Phantom II began as a standard chassis before being transformed by the esteemed coachbuilder Brewster into a fully customized luxury vehicle.
It was specially designed for American architect C. Mathews Dick and his wife, who were deeply involved in selecting the car’s bespoke interior materials.
They personally chose wool-cloth upholstery, fine wood trim, and gold-plated hardware, ensuring that every detail met their refined tastes.
One of the car’s standout features was its elegantly designed heating system, which incorporated Art Deco-style vents that provided warmth to passengers’ feet an especially luxurious touch for cold winter days.
Over the years, this Phantom II Special Town Car has changed hands multiple times through RM Sotheby’s auctions. Its most recent sale occurred in 2021, fetching $1.6 million.
However, in 2008, it was sold at Monterey for $2,310,000 an amount that, when adjusted for inflation, would be equivalent to nearly $3.4 million today.
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