Photography Courtesy of Auctionata
When enthusiasts get serious about taking their car to the race track, they often end up committing their once-tame street car to full-on time attack machine duty…only tolerable on perfectly paved circuit tarmac. Soon after, it becomes evident a tow vehicle and trailer is required. Thankfully, there are plenty of drawing options.
If you’ve got deep pockets, there are several RV companies that specialize in the perfect three-in-one: hauler, living quarters, and enclosed portable garage on wheels, but this is likely overkill for the average weekend enthusiast—not to mention, silly money.
Stateside, most of my on-a-budget track-going friends opt for a dependable pickup and open car trailer. Domestic trucks are large, fairly inexpensive, and have ample towing capacity. If something Japanese is desired, the Nissan and Toyota alternatives are plenty stout enough for the job, but what if you want a more comfortable toy hauler with additional covered cargo space?
Well, one Englishman desired just that. Needing a tow vehicle for his weekend racer—which make and model we’d love to know—the man purchased this 1983 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit and had an undisclosed coachbuilder reconstruct the car into a long roof. The car was also bizarrely converted to liquefied-petroleum-gas (LPG). With more than 122k kilometers covered since new (more than 80k miles), it seems our royal wagon hero actually used the damn thing, too.
Under the bonnet lies a 6.75-liter V8 carried over from the Silver Shadow predecessor. Mated to a robust General Motors sourced THM 4o0 three-speed automatic transmission, the trailer hitch suddenly looks less out of place. With a Girling hydraulic-powered and fully adjustable self-leveling suspension, it’s like it was made to tote a racecar-stacked trailer.
The body was finished in a two-tone light olive and black, while the interior was stitched in plush grey leather with wood trim. The cabin has air-conditioning, power windows, and even power mirrors—which could come in handy when maneuvering the precious cargo. The fold down rear bench is a sleeping bag and pillow away from a Tokyo sized hotel room with space for tools to boot. You could even strap your track wheels on the roof—the possibilities are endless, here.
With a £10,000 starting bid and £20,000 sale estimate, this Rolls wagon could be cheaper than the average Toyota Tacoma, certainly more comfortable, and sporting more style than most haulers you’ll see parked around the circuit. If you’re in the market for a track car puller but don’t want a truck, this stately estate is calling your name.
History
– Custom wagon coachwork with trailer hitch
– LPG conversion
Specifications
6.75-liter 6,750-cc V8, GM THM 400 three-speed automatic transmission, adjustable Girling self-leveling hydraulic suspension with gas-charged shocks, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 3,061 mm
Vehicle information
Chassis no.: SCAZS0007ECH08313
Valuation
Auction house: Auctionata
Estimate: starting bid £10,000 ($15,000 Usd.)
Price realized: Auction on May 20
