Rolls a star in Jimmy's bequest
2012-07-16 07:33
NO LAUGHING MATTER: Sir Jimmy’s beloved Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible could raise R.1.2-million.
London, England - Jimmy Savile, cigar-puffing comedian, show host and larger-than-life character who died recently, left a hoard of souvenirs of his extraordinary 85-year life.
Now, in accordance with his will, most of that amazing collection (550 lots from cigars to jewellery) is to be auctioned in Leeds, England, on July 30 and the money added to the Sir Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust.
The star lot is likely to be Sir Jimmy’s beloved Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible, though his famous yellow BMW Isetta bubble car will surely be quite a draw, too.
ROLLS CORNICHE No.46
The 2002 Corniche is number 46 of the 56 so-called ‘Last of Line’ models produced by Rolls-Royce to mark the end of 56 years of production at its Crewe plant - a commemorative plaque is mounted on the centre console - but is one of only nine built with right-hand drive.
It's registration number is JS 247 – JS for the star's initials and 247 the medium-wave radio frequency on which Britain's Radio 1 was broadcast from 1967-78. The immaculate car, with only about 5000km covered, is silver with a cream leather interior. It could fetch the equivalent of R800 000 to more than R1.2-million.
Sir Jimmy purchased the BMW Isetta 300 Plus in 1965 while a resident DJ at the New Elizabethan Ballroom in Belle Vue, Manchester. It has apparently had a full body restoration by Lee Turnham, registrar of the Isetta Owners’ Club, and comes complete with the roof-mounted orange warning light fitted by the owner after he and the car were nearly flattened by a truck whose driver didn't see the minicar.
FIT FOR A DUKE
Among those who rode with Sir Jimmy in the Isetta is Queen Elizabeth II's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who Savile apparently collected from Aylesbury railway station. The duke’s reaction was not recorded!
The Isetta carries an estimate of R68 0000 - R124 000.
Further details of the two cars and the 548 other lots of Savile memorabilia here.
