1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax (9%) on top of the winning bid price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% Dutch import tax plus 21% VAT on the hammer.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV.

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds.

All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation. Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection.

Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as The Market by Bonhams receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, [email protected].

STORAGE CHARGES - €30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES - €500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).

VIN: SCALA61E7XCX02923.

Odometer Reading: 16,394 kms.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition, we think this Silver Seraph is an excellent example of a very fine, hand-built luxury vehicle from a manufacturer whose name is synonymous with quality, exclusivity and prestige.

It is in exceptional overall condition and appears to be entirely authentic and original.

We know that it was imported new to Japan in 1999 and entered the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2009, at which time the odometer read 16,170 kms.

In 2004, it had covered 11,000 kms and, by 2006, 15,000 kms.

The bodywork appears to be more or less pristine.

The panels are straight and even, the bodywork is free of any significant flaws, and the panel gaps and shut lines seem consistent and even.

The white paint finish has retained all of its shine and lustre.

The chrome and exterior trim are in excellent condition, as are the lights, lenses, badging and all exterior fixtures and fittings.

The wheels, too, look to be in very good order.

There are a couple of scuffs on the rear bumper on the driver’s side and below the chrome trim on the passenger door.

The ‘French Navy’ interior is in the same virtually brand-new condition as the exterior.

In fact, much of it has been covered in bubble wrap and protective plastic sheeting, which tends to indicate that its condition was deemed to be very much worth protecting when it was put into storage and subsequently shipped over to us.

The wood veneers on the dashboard, door cappings, picnic tables, steering wheel and various inserts are rich and glossy.

The carpets are thick, deep and seemingly untroubled by either time or use.

The metres of blue leather are largely devoid of any creases or other flaws that we can see. The seats, front and back, appear to be in first class condition.

Like everything else in here, the excellent condition of the door cards and headlining barely reflects the car’s low kilometres, let alone its age.

We can’t vouch for the full functionality of instruments, dials, buttons, knobs, switches or levers because we haven’t driven the car.

Everything in the engine bay seems to be in its right and proper place and entirely as you’d expect to find in a car that’s covered so few kilometres.

The undersides of the car reflect the fact that it’s come from Japan, where salt is thrown over the shoulders of sumo wrestlers, not all over the roads.

Everything we can see appears to have a good deal of structural integrity.

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery in any way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

From what we can see, this excellent Silver Seraph is in pretty much time-warp condition and would appear to have been very well maintained and cared for throughout its life in Japan and beyond.

Provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are as good as the rest of the car, we think you might struggle to find an example of this age that’s in better condition.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €20,000 - €30,000.