Best’s rolls-royce to Be auctioned
Manchester United star’s Silver Shadow tipped to top £15k estimate
A 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow owned by football legend George Best at the height of his career is to be auctioned by H&H at Duxford, Cambridgeshire on 12 October.
Its official pre-sale estimate is £10,000-£15,000, but it could make more. Registered NMC 46K, the car was owned by Best for about three years and regularly driven around Manchester and across the North West. The Silver Shadow had been supplied to Grassicks of Perth and used as a demonstrator. It was, however, to a specification the Belfast born star wanted – Acrylic White paintwork with black leather upholstery, grey Ambla headlining, Sundym glass and cruise control. The car was tracked down for Best by his friend, car dealer Ian Anthony, whose Manchester dealership was the background for a Daily Mirror photo of the great footballer with his new acquisition.
The Silver Shadow, chassis number SRH 13549 has had £22,000 spent on it over the past 22 years with the same owner. The car has been repainted and treated to a black vinyl roof, different bumpers and later style integral reversing lamps. It comes with an MoT valid until 14 June 2017.
H&H spokesman Julian Roup says: ‘This car has attracted an unbelievable amount of interest internationally and we are delighted to handle its sale. Although we have an official estimate, a car with this provenance could raise far more. Although it has had some modifications it still retains the original leather Best sat on.’
George Best was crowned European Footballer of the Year in 1968 and made 361 appearances for Manchester United, and was also a headline-grabber off-pitch.
H&H also auctioned an ex- George Best Jaguar E-type Series III which made £49,000, against a £40,00060,000 pre-sale estimate last year.