Beyond a singularly unique legacy of musical excellence that continues to touch fans to this day, Freddie Mercury left behind quite the classic car collection. The Queen frontman had a known penchant for the bizarre and wonderful: ranging from Lincoln town cars to the archetypally stately 420 SEL.
Still, even by those standards, the news that Mercuryโs personal Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow will be auctioned on November 5 is mighty stuff indeed โ primarily because of the carโs precise provenance, and what its sale is in aid of.
According to Sothebyโs, this 1974 Silver Shadow was purchased by Mercury in 1979 and remained his โpersonal chauffeur-driven transportโ until his untimely passing in 1991. In subsequent years, Mercuryโs sister Kashmira Cooke frequently drove the luxury car โ formally acquiring it from the Freddie Mercury Estate in 2003.
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Remaining in Cookeโs possession until 2013 (when it was first offered at auction), this classical iteration of the Rolls-Royce four-door will once again be offered in public this November, albeit this time around in service of philanthropy. All profits from the sale will be donated to the Superhumans Centre: a charity that provides rehabilitation to those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Nick Wiles, a specialist at RM Sothebyโs, says that the sale โrepresents a serious piece of history.โ โThe fact that the proceeds of the sale will benefit the amazing Superhumans of Ukraine charity is wonderful,โ he continues.
This Silver Shadow is presented in its factory-correct โSilver Chaliceโ over blue specification and is powered by Rolls-Royceโs โthunderingโ 6,750cc V8 engine. For added collectability, the vehicleโs original cabin refinements all remain intact: including a period-accurate cassette player and car phone.
Initially estimated to hammer for anywhere between ยฃ20,000 โ ยฃ30,000 (AU$35,517 โ AU$53,273), this lot is offered as part of Sothebyโs non-thematic London sale โ full details of which you can find here.
