Rolls-Royce Camargue
1975-1986 · Rolls-Royce Camargue — Grand Tourer, V8, designed by Pininfarina (Paolo Martin).
The Story
The Camargue (1975) was Rolls-Royce’s boldest swing – and its most divisive. Styled by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina, it was the first post-war Rolls-Royce not designed in-house, and at GBP 29,250 it launched as the most expensive production car in the world. Its sharply canted radiator grille and angular Italian lines split opinion the instant it appeared.
The reception was brutal: readers’ polls later ranked it among the ugliest cars ever made. Yet only 531 were built, and time has been kinder – its rarity, its V8 muscle and its sheer audacity are finally winning over the collectors who once dismissed it.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Pininfarina (Paolo Martin)
Turin-born Paolo Martin became Chief of Styling at Pininfarina in 1968, where he created the Ferrari Modulo concept, the Fiat 130 Coupe and the Rolls-Royce Camargue – the first post-war RR styled outside Crewe.
Studio Motors POV
The Camargue is the contrarian’s Rolls-Royce – once mocked, now quietly collectible; buy a clean, original car as a rare, characterful bet on a reputation still on the rise.
The Engine
Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Camargue
Worth Knowing About the Camargue
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) It was the first post-war Rolls-Royce styled outside Crewe – by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina. 2) At launch it was the most expensive production car in the world (GBP 29,250 in 1975). 3) It debuted a sophisticated automatic split-level air-conditioning system – a Rolls-Royce first, years in development.
5 Fast Facts
- 1) 6.75L V8, ~220 bhp – the most powerful of its day. 2) Only 531 built, 1975-1986. 3) First post-war RR not designed in-house (Pininfarina). 4) The most expensive production car in the world at launch. 5) Its canted grille is its signature – and its lightning rod.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
FLAG: specific documented celebrity owners are not well established in sources; the Camargue’s fame rests on its design controversy and rarity rather than a starry ownership roll.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
Rarity and a strong, original example are everything. Verify the complex air-conditioning (a Camargue first), the V8 and rust. Values are rising as the design is re-appraised – a contrarian’s appreciating classic.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Camargue
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 1975-1986
- Units built
- 531
- Variants
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V8
- Engine family
- Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
- Displacement
- 6.75L (6,750 cc)
- Power
- 220 hp
- Torque
- lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- s
- Top speed
- 124 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 94 hp/tonne · 23.5 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 3-speed automatic (GM400)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 5175 lb
Questions
Camargue FAQ
What engine does the Rolls-Royce Camargue have?
The Camargue uses the 6.75-litre Rolls-Royce V8 in its most powerful period tune, estimated at approximately 220 bhp, with a 3-speed GM automatic. Top speed was approximately 124 mph.
Who designed the body of the Rolls-Royce Camargue?
The Camargue was styled by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina, making it the first post-war Rolls-Royce not designed in-house. Its angular Italian lines and canted radiator grille divided opinion from the moment it appeared.
How many Rolls-Royce Camargues were built?
Only 531 Camargues were produced across an 11-year run from 1975 to 1986, each hand-built by Mulliner Park Ward, making it one of the rarest Rolls-Royces of its era.
How much is a Rolls-Royce Camargue worth today?
Rolls-Royce Camargue values cluster around $49,000 on Classic.com averages, with TheClassicValuer’s average near £38,000. Recent public sales have peaked around $90,000, while rare top examples have gone considerably higher.
Was the Camargue the most expensive production car at launch?
Yes. At GBP 29,250 in 1975, the Camargue was the most expensive production car in the world when it launched. It also debuted a sophisticated automatic split-level air-conditioning system, a Rolls-Royce first.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
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