Rare Rolls-Royce Camargue in Downtown L.A.

A rare 1985 Rolls-Royce Camargue, one of 531 Camargues built, driving into a parking garage in Downtown Los Angeles. Introduced in 1975, the Camargue was based on the Silver Shadow and powered by its 6.75-liter V8 engine improved to produce more power. It featured bodywork designed by Pininfarina with an inclined front grille, four-wheel independent suspension with automatic leveling, and split-level climate control which took eight years to develop. With a price of £29,250 when launched, the Camargue was the most expensive production car in the world at the time.

It has always made sense economically for automakers to have variants of the same model share styling and bodywork, especially if the new variant is simply an open or closed version of an existing one. But whoever called the shots at Rolls-Royce in the 1970s didn't give a flip about being economical. Rather than simply continuing to build fixed-top versions of the Corniche, which itself was mechanically and visually based on the Silver Shadow, Rolls-Royce had the folks at Pininfarina design an entirely new body, one that could hardly be recognized as a Rolls-Royce if it weren't for that huge grille. And even that grille was uniquely slanted just to set this car apart. Many would agree that the Camargue wasn't exactly pretty, and by today's standards its appearance isn't particularly classy either. But it sure is rare and unique, and owners get the bragging rights of having what was once the world's most expensive car. Needless to say, I was absolutely shocked to randomly encounter this car in Downtown L.A. - the second Camargue I've ever seen and the first actually in motion. This is exactly why I keep a camera on me at all times!

Do you like the unique styling of the Camargue? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!