Camargue was a departure from the traditional designs of Rolls-Royce cars, which were typically more reserved and understated. This model featured a more modern and sporty design, which was more in line with the trends of the 1970s and 1980s.
Source: The Classic Valuer
Rolls-Royce built this model for customers who wanted to drive on their own, rather than being driven by a chauffeur, which was more typical of the brand’s clientele. This made it a more driver-focused automobile, and very unusual for a luxury-class vehicle of its time. Despite its unique design and features, made by the Italian design bureau Pininfarina, Camargue was not as successful as the British company had hoped. The model was produced for a limited time, making it a relatively rare and sought-after collectible automobile today.
Source: Bonhams
Rolls-Royce Camargue was a classic example of a company trying to attract a new clientele and failing to do so. The company management wanted to create a car that would appeal to customers who wanted to drive the car on their own. They believed that these customers would prefer a more modern and stylish body and not the classic and reserved designs that Rolls-Royce was known for. To achieve this, they decided to entrust the development of the body to the Italian design bureau Pininfarina, which was a significant departure from their traditional approach. The design was developed by Paolo Martin, head of the Pininfarina styling department, and was unveiled in 1975 receiving its name from the area in the south of France. However, despite the efforts of Pininfarina to combine their ideas with traditional Rolls-Royce elements, the automobile’s design was not well received by the public. It was seen as too heavy, and it did not appeal to the target audience. Overall, the Camargue was considered an experiment, but it was not successful, only being produced for a limited time. Remarkably, today it is considered a relatively rare and sought-after collectible.
Source: The Garage
The 1979 edition was a luxury grand tourer that featured advanced technical specifications for its time. It was equipped with a 5.3-liter (5345cc) aluminum-silicon alloy V8 engine paired with three-speed automatic transmission, which was operated via a floor-mounted shifter. The 1979 edition also featured an independent coil spring suspension at the front and rear. In addition, the model was fitted with four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. The 1979 Camargue’s interior was designed to provide luxury, comfort, and style. The materials used were of the highest quality and the craftsmanship was exceptional. The model featured upholstered seats in high-quality leather, which provided a comfortable and supportive seating experience. The seats were also heated, which added an extra level of comfort. The automobile had wood veneers on the dashboard, door panels, and center console, which added a touch of elegance and luxury to the interior. The woodwork was made of high-quality materials and was finished to a high standard. In addition, the automobile was fitted with a leather-wrapped steering wheel that was designed to provide a comfortable grip. It was also equipped with a tilt-adjustable feature, which allowed the driver to adjust the steering wheel to their preferred position. The trunk was spacious and well-finished, and it had a sufficient amount of space to store luggage and other items. The 1979 edition also received air conditioning, power windows, and a Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo. In addition, the automobile also had a two-door convertible version with a sleek and sporty design. It was fitted with chrome bumpers and trim, as well as distinctive quad headlights. The 1979 release was fitted with safety features like seat belts, crumple zones, and anti-lock brakes.
Source: Bring a Trailer
The prices for a 1979 Rolls-Royce Camargue in classic car auctions vary widely depending on the condition of the car, its provenance, and other factors. In general, a well-maintained and restored 1979 edition in excellent condition fetches prices in the range of $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the car’s history and condition.
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