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The Rolls-Royce auction. Interested?

August 04, 2004 18:54 IST

Rolls-Royce Chairman Tony Gott poses with the new, ultra-exclusive Centenary Phantom. Photo: Steve Parkin/AFP/Getty ImagesBritish luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce will auction three super expensive 'Centenary Phantoms' in Chinese cities to mark the company's 100th anniversary, a report said on Wednesday.

According to Colin Kelly, who is responsible for Rolls-Royce's Asian-Pacific business, just 35 of these exceptional cars have been hand-manufactured for the global market to celebrate the company's centenary.

Thoughtfully contemplated and carefully selected, these three limited edition Centenary Phantoms will be presented in three prime locations, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, General Manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars China, John Wong said.

Each of the 35 cars is hallmarked with a polished cast chassis vehicle plate indicating its numerical position within the series. The cars to be sold in China have pure-gold Spirit-of-Ecstasy emblems.

The auctions begin here on August 28 with the bidding price at 9.88 million renminibi (about $1.20 million), Wong said.

According to the company, the Centenary Phantom captures the essence of today's advanced technology combined with Rolls-Royce's 100 years of authentic craftsmanship.

With China's auto market witnessing explosive growth of nearly 50 per cent in recent years, major global auto giants are competing to get a foothold in the world's most populous nation.

Rolls-Royce Chairman Tony Gott poses with the new, ultra-exclusive Centenary Phantom.
Photo: Steve Parkin/AFP/Getty Images

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