Rolls-Royce Camargue - a surprising source of inspiration for the World's priciest production car

In this episode, Iain delves into the captivating story of the Rolls-Royce Camargue, a car that evokes strong opinions but has undeniably carved its niche in automotive history. Launched in 1975, the Camargue proudly stood as the pinnacle of luxury, bearing the title of the world's most expensive production car at the time. Beyond its price tag, the Camargue harboured an intriguing blend of heritage and innovation, a testament to Rolls-Royce's daring pursuit of excellence. The Camargue's aesthetics, a subject of much debate, were the handiwork of Paolo Martin at Pininfarina, marking a rare external design collaboration for Rolls-Royce. This design choice was as bold as it was controversial, challenging perceptions of luxury and elegance in the automotive world. Iain explores this design journey, revealing the connections between the Camargue and the lesser-known Fiat 130 Coupe, both penned by Martin, showcasing a unique cross-pollination of ideas in car design. Diving deeper, Iain uncovers the essence of the Camargue's identity - a driver's car at heart, contrary to the chauffeur-driven image often associated with Rolls-Royce. From its surprisingly agile handling to the forward-thinking aircraft-inspired dashboard, the Camargue breaks stereotypes, offering a driving experience that blends Rolls-Royce's smooth ride with unexpected dynamism. Joining Iain is Pete Aston, former Production Director at Crewe, who sheds light on the internal workings and challenges faced during the Camargue's production. His insights provide a rare glimpse into the Rolls-Royce ethos during a transformative period, including the intriguing tale of Volkswagen's acquisition of Bentley. Through discussions on design quirks, such as the Palladian radiator grille, and technical marvels like the Solex 4A1 carburettor, Iain Tyrrell paints a comprehensive picture of the Camargue, celebrating its legacy as a misunderstood masterpiece in Rolls-Royce's illustrious history. This episode is a must-watch for enthusiasts and sceptics alike, inviting all to revisit the Rolls-Royce Camargue with fresh eyes and perhaps, discover newfound appreciation for its unique place in automotive lore. 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - An interesting history 03:20 - An unlikely source of inspiration 05:03 - Striking similarities 06:17 - High price 07:53 - Design mistakes 10:06 - Dashboard design 10:27 - The famous grill 11:30 - Production run 12:23 - Surprising handling 13:37 - Interview with Pete Aston 17:29 - The VW takeover 26:21 - Camargue engine 27:42 - Solex 4A1 Carburetor 29:25 - Roadtest 38:13 - Gear range selector 39:35 - Door handle This video was brought to you by Aston Lark - https://www.astonlark.com/tyrrellsworkshop Supported by Eurospares - https://www.eurospares.co.uk/ Filmed and edited by Whipp3dCream - https://whipp3dcream.com/ --- IMAGE ATTRIBUTION Sourced from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise stated Rolls-Royce Corniche Author: Rob Bogaerts / Anefo via Nationaal Archief, the Dutch National Archives Licence: CC0 1.0 Public Domain Fiat 130 Saloon Front Author: Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand https://www.flickr.com/people/64583732@N04 Licence: CC BY 2.0 Fiat 130 Saloon Side Author: Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand Licence: CC BY 2.0 Fiat 130 Coupe Front Author: TuRbO_J from Adelaide, Australia https://www.flickr.com/people/30474136@N07 Licence: CC BY 2.0 Fiat 130 Coupe Rear Author: TuRbO_J from Adelaide, Australia Licence: CC BY 2.0 Ferdinand Karl Piëch Creator: Stuart Mentiply https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Mentiply Licence: GFDL 1.2 Source and Licence: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferdinand_Piech_by_Stuart_Mentiply.jpg Porsche 911 Creator: Christine und Hagen Graf from Fitou, France https://www.flickr.com/people/17963290@N00 Licence: CC BY 2.0 Audi Sport Quattro, 2014 Rally Bohemia Legend Creator: Miloslav Rejha https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:M.Rejha Licence: CC BY 4.0 Orange & Black Bugatti Veyron Creator: Axion23 Licence: CC BY 2.0 Porsche 917K of Martini Racing Team Creator: Felix König https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Felix_Koenig Licence: CC BY 3.0 Bentley Arnage Red Label Front Creator: The Car Spy https://www.flickr.com/people/25632349@N04 Licence: CC BY 2.0 Bentley Arnage Red Label Rear Creator: The Car Spy Licence: CC BY 2.0 Bentley Arnage (Cropped by TCW) Creator: The Car Spy Licence: CC BY 2.0 1999 Bentley Arnage V8 Creator: The Car Spy Licence: CC BY 2.0 2001 Bentley Arnage Red Label Creator: The Car Spy Licence: CC BY 2.0 2002 Bentley Arnage Red Label Mulliner LWB Creator: The Car Spy Licence: CC BY 2.0 Bentley Arnage T Creator: M93 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:M_93 Licence: By kind permission LICENCE LINKS CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/