Rare Rolls-Royce adapted for the Dakar Rally sold at auction for US$ 630,000 (Instagram @aguttes_)
A 1981 Rolls-Royce Corniche, adapted for off-road racing, was sold at auction for approximately US$ 630,000.
The vehicle was modified to participate in the 1981 Paris-Dakar Rally, replacing its original 6.8-liter engine with a 5.7-liter V-8 Chevy, boosting its power to 350 horsepower. Its body was redesigned with lightweight plastic panels, and the chassis received components from a Toyota BJ45 Land Cruiser, including rigid axles and double shock absorbers.
The project was conceived by Frenchman Thierry de Montcorgé, who received sponsorship from Christian Dior, decorating the car with the “Jules” perfume branding, which earned it its nickname.
Although it didn’t finish the rally due to an accident near the end, the Corniche showed impressive performance, ranking 13th among nearly 300 competitors and reaching speeds of up to 193 km/h on challenging terrains.
Even though it didn’t officially complete the race, the car was repaired, and the route was finished later. This rare example, which combines Rolls-Royce luxury with the adventurous spirit of Dakar, was sold by the French auction house Aguttes, marking a bold moment in automotive competitions.
Source: Car and Driver | Photo: Instagram @aguttes_ | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
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