Legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury’s 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was sold for a record £74,000 at Autosport International in Birmingham on Sunday.
Originally estimated to fetch between £9,000 to £11,000, the car was sold by automotive auctioneers Coys to a Russian businessman through telephone bidding.
Purchased by Mercury’s company Goose Productions Ltd in 1979, it was used by Freddie up until his death in 1991. The car even features a box of unused Kleenex Mansize Tissues, which have been in the car since being in his possession.
The Rolls Royce Silver Shadow was produced in various forms from 1965 to 1980. It was the first Rolls-Royce to use a monocoque chassis, a response to concerns that the company was falling behind in automotive innovation.
Aside from a more modern appearance and construction, the Silver Shadow introduced many new features such as disc rather than drum brakes, and independent rear suspension, rather than the outdated live axle design of previous cars.
Queen See also:
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s 1974 Rolls Royce up for auction
Queen releases 40 Years Of Queen ebook
Rock News Artist Of The Year #10: QUEEN
Queen announce Queen Extravaganza North American tour