2008 Bentley Brooklands

Historically, Bentleys have typically taken a sportier approach than their Rolls-Royce counterparts, which was certainly the case with the Brooklands when it launched in 2008. After all, who could forget Clarkson employing all of the Brooklands’ 1,050 Nm of torque to decimate its rear tyres. This 2008 example is sure to have enjoyed a much more comfortable life at the owner’s purpose-built facility, and with only 21,000 km on the clock it looks to be in pristine condition. Just 550 Brooklands left Crewe, making it an excellent and rare alternative to today’s crop of luxury barges. 

2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé

While the Brooklands is without a doubt a luxury vehicle, there is arguably nothing that can hold a candle to the Phantom Coupé in terms of driver comfort. Recently re-emerging as the basis for the £20 million Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, this Phantom Coupé represents excellent value at less than 10 percent of the price of Rolls’ latest bespoke creation. As the flagship Rolls-Royce of its era, and with no modern counterpart aside from the lesser Wraith, this 2008 model offers unparalleled comfort for the money. 

1947 Bentley Mark VI

Perhaps the most uniquely appointed car on the auctions list is this bespoke 1947 Bentley MKVI commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda, who was once the world’s second richest man. At the time of this cars production, the various Maharajas were Rolls-Royce and Bentley’s most creative and valued customers, and this Mark VI is clearly no exception. It would be hard to miss the striking blue brocade upholstery, which combined with the then-innovative concealable drop-top only adds to this Bentley’s summer cruiser credentials. 

1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

The last car on this list also happens to be the oldest, and represents an interesting anglo-germanic mix from a time when the two nations weren’t exactly getting along. Featuring one-off coachwork by one of Berlin’s most renowned shops, Voll & Ruhrbeck, this convertible is incredibly well insulated and would be comfortable regardless of atmospheric conditions. However, with an interior that looks barely half its age, and with the eye-catching unpainted aluminium wheel disks that were specially supplied by Rolls-Royce, this Phantom III could be one to cherish and preserve.

Photos: Dirk de Jager ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's