ROLLER COASTER

CARDIFF COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON WHAT TO DO WITH ITS £200K ROLLS-ROYCE THAT GETS DRIVEN JUST ONCE A YEAR

A COUNCIL-OWNED Rolls-Royce, thought to be worth about £200,000, has been kept in an underground car park for 16 years and is only driven once a year.

The luxury car, owned by Cardiff council, used to be a familiar sight on the streets of the city, transporting politicians and dignitaries including Princess Diana and the Queen.

But the Lord Mayoral limousine was last used in an official capacity some time between 1999 and 2002 and has been stored in an underground car park at County Hall ever since.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that the car costs taxpayers £196.69 a year “as it is taken out of County Hall once a year for MOT”. The council said the car is no longer used for council activities.

The 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom was last valued in February 2008 by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club which estimated it to be worth £70,000.

Its special number plate, KG1, was valued by Regtransfers in 2008 when it was thought to be worth £100,000.

The plate and the car together, adjusting the 2008 valuations for inflation, are now thought to be worth about £215,600.

The car has a chrome dragon on the bonnet instead of the usual silver lady for which the council had to ask special permission from RollsRoyce.

A group on Facebook is now calling for the car to be put into a museum.

The group, called Cardiff’s RollsRoyce KG1, said: “It is a unique vehicle with an incredible history.

“Tragically the car has spent the last decade sitting under tarpaulin in the underground car park of County Hall. I hope this group will raise awareness of the vehicle and that people will support me in lobbying the council to display the car in the Cardiff Story Museum.”

The Echo asked Cardiff council if there were any plans to sell the car or put it in a museum.

A council spokesman said: “The council has stored the car and number plate safely and a report is due to go to cabinet this summer which will contain recommendations on their future.”

Councillor Adrian Robson, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said: “The Rolls-Royce is part of the city’s history and should be retained by the council.

“However, the council should be able to use the Rolls-Royce to raise income and to use it as a marketing tool. I have suggested that the RollsRoyce could attend fairs and festivals around the country to act as promotion for Cardiff.

“The council should be using it to generate business and tourism.

“I’m sure there are many car enthusiasts who would relish the chance to maintain it and could be brought in to keep costs reduced.

“It’s a missed marketing opportunity to attract people to Cardiff.”