Sir Jimmy Savile’s cars go to auction

Now then, now then – who fancies bidding on a limited edition, low mileage Rolls-Royce previously owned by Sir Jimmy Savile? Or if that won’t fit in the garage, how about his bright yellow BMW Isetta bubble car?

Both are going to auction at the end of the month as two of the star lots in a sale of no less than 550 items collected by the former radio and television presenter during his 84-year life.

On Bing: see images of Sir Jimmy Savile and cars

On Bing: see images of the BMW Isetta bubble car

The Rolls-Royce is a 2002 Corniche, number of 46 of the 56 ‘Last of Line’ editions that commemorated the end of 56 years of Rolls-Royce construction at the factory in Crewe.

One of only nine such models built in right-hand drive, the Corniche has apparently covered just 4,420 miles from new. It also comes complete with the JS 247 number plate – 247 being the medium wave frequency used by Radio 1 from 1967 to 1978.

It’s expected to fetch between £60,000 and £90,000.

If that’s a little too rich for you, don’t despair, as Sir Jimmy’s Isetta bubble car is estimated at a much reasonable £5,000-£8,000. But we wouldn’t be at all surprised if it ends up going for more.

It turns out that someone had fixed it for him (ahem), as although Sir Jimmy originally purchased this Isetta 300 Plus back in 1965 – when he was resident DJ at the New Elizabethan Ballroom in Manchester – it has “apparently” undergone a full body restoration.

What’s more, the Isetta’s passenger seat has played host to the Duke of Edinburgh – as Sir Jimmy is once said to have collected the Queen’s husband from Aylesbury train station in his yellow bubble. According to the auctioneers, “the Duke’s reaction was not recorded.”

And if you’re wondering about the orange light on the top, Sir Jimmy had it fitted to make the Isetta more visible, after the pair were nearly run over by a truck. More recently the car has been on display at the Bubble Car Museum.

The auction of Sir Jimmy Savile’s collected memorabilia, including both cars, is taking place in accordance with his wishes in order to raise money for the Sir Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust.

Arranged by Dreweatts, the sale is set for 30 July at Saviles Hall in Leeds. More details of these and the other 548 lots – cigars, male jewellery, a diamond encrusted Rolex, THAT chair, etc – can be found on Dreweatts’ website.

Find out how much a used Rolls-Royce costs on Auto Trader

On Bing: see images of the Rolls-Royce Corniche

On Bing: find out more about the Bubble Car Museum

On Bing: find Dreweatts Fine Art Auction Group

On Bing: see images of Sir Jimmy Savile and cars

On Bing: see images of the BMW Isetta bubble car