Freddie Mercury’s Rolls-Royce is for sale

Fit for Queen

If an early pressing of Bohemian Rhapsody isn’t enough, this 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow could represent the ultimate piece of Queen memorabilia.

The car stylishly ferried the band’s frontman, Freddie Mercury, to various appointments throughout his illustrious career.

This classic will cross the block with no reserve at the RM Sotheby’s auction in London on 5 November 2022. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Superhumans of Ukraine charity, where it will be used to help fund a new hospital in the Ukrainian province of Lviv.

One vision

Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar on 5 September 1946, was introduced to the piano at the age of seven.

By his 35th birthday, Mercury and his band, Queen, had sold over 45 million albums worldwide.

The group played to sell-out crowds across the globe – including a legendary performance at Live Aid in 1985 – before Mercury’s death in 1991.

Surprise guest

Queen’s 1977 album, News of the World, featured the hits We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.

While filming a promotional video for the former in 1979, Mercury arrived at Queen drummer Roger Taylor’s house in his newly acquired Silver Shadow – this car, WLX 293M.

Although he didn’t have a driving licence, Mercury used his chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce throughout the subsequent decade.

These are the days of our lives

While at Taylor’s house, this Silver Shadow’s rear seats apparently played host to a historic moment of rock star admin.

Queen’s manager, Jim Beach, said in a documentary that Mercury insisted a new record label contract should be signed in the back of his new car, because “this was the first Rolls-Royce he’d ever owned”.
 

I’m in love with my Rolls-Royce

Sadly, Freddie Mercury’s Silver Shadow entered his life a little too late to have been the inspiration behind Queen’s 1975 hit, I'm In Love With My Car.

Instead, Roger Taylor wrote the song about Jonathan Harris (the band’s sound man) and his Triumph TR4 – the song became the B-side to Bohemian Rhapsody.

Chauffeur’s cabin

Up front, the walnut dashboard and the myriad instruments appear in fine fettle. 

The odometer, which sits behind the column-mounted gear selector, shows just 62,373 miles.

Garage band

Mercury’s car was last auctioned in 2013 at the NEC in Birmingham, where it sold for £74,600 – more than six times its pre-sale estimate.

Over the past decade, the car has been used sparingly. RM Sotheby’s notes that it has been “kept in storage for an extended period of time, and would benefit from mechanical inspection prior to being driven”.

A kind of magic

This classic Rolls-Royce’s three-speed automatic gearbox and self-levelling system should provide a sumptuous ride.

The experience is even better for the rear-seat passengers, who could sink behind the deep C-pillars and nestle their feet into the cosy-looking carpet.

Under the bonnet

The 17-foot-long Silver Shadow is powered by a 6750cc V8 engine and features all-independent suspension, plus Crewe’s famously high-quality finish.

All this was probably best enjoyed from the comfort of the leather rear seats.

Quick cameo

This car was purchased in 1979 by the singer’s company, Goose Productions Limited, and Mercury’s custodianship of this classic is verified by a letter from Jim Beach.

WLX 293M can also be spotted in footage from the filming day for the We Will Rock You promotional video.

In the family

Mercury owned this Silver Shadow from 1979 until his death in 1991, at which point his sister, Kashmira Cooke, started using it.

In 2003, Cooke bought the car from the Freddie Mercury estate – she retained it for another decade.

Heaps of history

This car is being sold with a history file that includes a number of workshop invoices bearing Mercury’s name, including one for the car’s storage over a 10-month period, plus the supply of a new battery.

The invoices also include the name of Mercury’s former partner, Mary Austin, who helped with the car’s maintenance.

Number-one hit

The Silver Shadow was introduced to replace the marque’s ageing Silver Cloud.

It was the company’s first car to use monocoque construction and it became an instant hit with affluent consumers.

Trouble in paradise

By the mid-'70s, Rolls-Royce’s claim to the ‘world’s best car’ was coming under attack from both the USA and Europe.

The contest really heated up in 1976 when Cadillac began to sell the Seville on British shores, just as Rolls-Royce released the Silver Shadow II.

Charming combination

This example is finished in what, we think, is a pleasingly under-the-radar choice of Silver Chalice with a blue interior – just as it left the factory 48 years ago.

The commanding Pantheon grille is a little less understated but, along with the Spirit of Ecstasy, asserts the Silver Shadow as a product from Crewe.

Mercury’s legacy

Even today, more than 30 years after his passing, Mercury is a much-loved and admired music star – and this car will doubtless attract a lot of interest.

Nick Wiles, a car specialist at RM Sotheby’s, said: “It’s hard to find any music fan who doesn’t love Freddie Mercury, and he remains as big a name today as he ever was.”

Making a difference

This will surely only be enhanced by the fact that this car’s sale will raise vital funds for Superhumans of Ukraine.

The new hospital in the country’s Lviv province will help rehabilitate those injured in the conflict.

Waiting for the hammer to fall

If you’re interested in this classic 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, previously owned by Queen’s Freddie Mercury, you’ll need to be quick.

It is being sold with no reserve at the RM Sotheby’s London auction at Marlborough House on 5 November 2022.

Find out more and check out the other lots here.