This 10 year old Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has broken the record for the most expensive Rolls-Royce ever sold. There was a bidding war that broke out amongst bidders and it eventually went under the hammer for £4,705,500. The car was originally bought in 1912 for £1,000 which in today’s money is £93,000. The auction was at the Goodwood festival of Speed in West Sussex last Friday. Many auctioneers had expected the car to fetch about £2million.

It may not have all the latest gadgets that it you might need but it has an exceptional level of luxury form a time we have forgotten. The interior fittings are made of silver and ivory and its door panels are embroidered with silk. There is even a passenger footrest which hides a full picnic set.

James Knight, from Bonhams auctioneers, said: ‘There were three bidders, then one of them dropped out at £2.3million and we thought it would end there. But then another bidder entered and the bidders were duelling. It went up in increments of £50,000, and then £100,000, and then back down to £50,000.’

‘It went on and on and on and was the longest car sale I have ever witnessed. It was pure theatre. Everyone was very respectful but when the price reached a milestone, like £3million, there was an intake of breath. The bidders were duelling and when the hammer came down there was spontaneous applause. It was fitting because the car is celebrating her centenary.’

The car was originally commissioned by John M. Stephens who had bought the first ever Silver Ghosh that had been produced in 1906. The design of the body was built by Bakers of Mayfair which were a royal-carriage maker. Some of the carriages they built were for King George III and also Queen Victoria.

The car is the only one of its kind to still have its full interior bodywork. Auctioneer Bonhams said: ‘It is a statement of refinement, grace and gentility that for many defines the qualities and the Edwardian period in which Rolls-Royce established the unsurpassed reputation it still enjoys today.’

The winning bid was made from someone outside of Britain and will mean the great British car will leave the shores once more.

In this auction it will surprise you all to know that this was not the most expensive car sold that day. It 1929 Bentley single-seater racing car was a sold for £5,042,000 which is the highest amount ever paid for a British car at auction.