1978 ROLLS ROYCE SHADOW 2

For famous figures, whether it be film stars, sporting icons or musicians, owning a Rolls-Royce is a sign of ‘having made it’, a motoring manifestation of success, accomplishment and, of course, wealth. Sometimes, however, there is more of a symbolic gesture to owning such prominent cars, as was the case with John Lennon, and his 1967 rebellious customisation of his 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, turning an ultimate symbol of British establishment wealth into a rolling manifesto of countercultural art – it worked, with its dramatic presentation triggering a generational shockwave. It was so ‘out-there’ it couldn’t be ignored and made just the statement Lennon wanted, as if saying “I’m successful, I can buy a Rolls-Royce, but it’s mine and I can have it in any colour I want." This philosophy of Rolls-Royce ‘out-there’ ownership, taking a pillar of the establishment normally presented in sober and sensible colours, but having the confidence to say, 'this is exactly how I want my Rolls-Royce’, presumably was a factor in Noel Gallagher of Oasis’ long-term aspiration to own a ‘Chocolate Brown Rolls-Royce’ when he and the band had achieved a certain level of success. That car is the car presented here, a 1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II, registration ‘DEV 851T’, and that success was in 1995 when ‘(What's the Story) Morning Glory?’, the second studio album by Oasis, had sold 12 million copies.

Alan McGee, the founder of Creation Records, the British independent record label who first signed Oasis back in 1993, knew that Noel really wanted a brown Rolls-Royce, with Noel telling him previously, "it’s all about a chocolate brown Rolls-Royce”. So, Alan secretly acquired Noel his dream car, presenting DEV 851T to him at a 1995 Christmas party at a hotel, whilst also giving the other band members classic Rolex watches.

Follow this link to see Noel Gallagher regaling (at 3min 08 secs) that illustrious story to Jonathan Ross in 2004, which gave us one of Noel’s most famous quotes “Liam got a Rolex. I got a Rolls-Royce. Which is brilliant, cos I can’t drive, and Liam can’t tell the time.”

Noel Gallagher at Friday Night with J. Ross - 10/9/04 (2/2)

In the 2010 documentary ‘Upside Down’ (which traces the rise and fall of McGee’s record label Creation, and features inside stories on Oasis and Primal Scream), he tells of how he nearly kept hold of the car, saying “I’m always seen as having made a grand, selfless gesture giving Noel that chocolate brown Rolls-Royce as a gift. What people don’t know is that five minutes before I gave him the car, I was sat in it, thinking how nice it was and going, ‘Why the f**k am I giving this away?’ I nearly kept it for myself.”

The Silver Shadow was a new type of Rolls-Royce - the company’s first unitary-bodied car, aimed firmly at a new era of 'owner drivers'. It was so well engineered and beloved by customers that its basic architecture underpinned Rolls-Royce saloons into the late 1990s. Introduced in 1997, the second-generation Silver Shadow II featured lightly revised styling with updated bumpers, rack and pinion steering and modifications to the front suspension improved handling markedly, however, with such a compelling blend of luxury and comfort, little else needed changing.

Silver Shadows were owned by the likes of Freddie Mercury, Paul McCartney, Michael Caine, Johnny Cash, Steve McQueen, Roger Moore, John Travolta, David Bowie, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Andy Warhol, Vidal Sassoon and even Muhammad Ali.

The car presented here is a 1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II (chassis #SRH 35177), being first registered, and assigned ‘DEV 851T’, on the 9th October 1978; finished in Chestnut with Champagne Beige (very apt!) upholstery. It was sold new via Southend Motor & Aero Company Ltd. of Thorpe Bay, Essex (as per its original numbers plates, still worn by the car), to its original owner, Sir Jack Cohen, the famous British businessman who founded the supermarket chain Tesco. Sadly, Sir Jack died on the 24th March 1979 and by the 30th January 1980, DEV 851T was owned by Mr Clive Ross-Field, also of Chigwell (who we understand might have been a friend/neighbour of Sir Jack). In 1980, Mr Ross-Field was established as an expert jeweller, manufacturing and selling diamond rings and jewellery in London’s Hatton Garden, a family-business that today spans over 50 years and three generations (interestingly, and in keeping with this car’s showbiz connections, their jewellery store featured in Guy Ritchie’s 2000 film ‘Snatch’). Mr Ross-Field owned the car for some 15 years, ensuring that it was routinely serviced/maintained by Rolls-Royce, as documented in the car’s accompanying history file.

Iconic Auctioneers have spoken to Mr Ross-Field’s son, who did indeed confirm that the car was sold in the mid-1990s to someone associated with the rock band, Oasis. Indeed, it was, further confirmed by a car specialist, who helped put the deal together, who has regaled the sale to us; it was facilitated by Alan McGee and Joe Foster of Creation Records, with the car’s previous (and accompanying) V5C document confirming this, reading ‘Oasis Music, Mr Noel Gallagher’, with his signature present!

DEV 851T made possibly its most famous public outing on 30th July 1997, when it conveyed Noel Gallagher and his (then) wife Meg Matthews, alongside Alan McGee and his (then) partner Kate Holmes, to the seminal ‘Cool Britannia’ Party held at 10 Downing Street and hosted by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. This event will always be associated with the excitement of Tony Blair's triumphant entry into power, and the resulting images - including Noel Gallagher drinking champagne and shaking hands with Tony Blair - are now considered culturally iconic, a real ‘meeting of worlds’ when New Labour sought to capitalise on the massive explosion of British youth culture, Britpop, fashion, media and art.

The star-studded gathering was to thank prominent figures in these areas who had supported New Labour during the general election and other attendees included Helen Mirren, Eddie Izzard, Lenny Henry, George Michael, and Vivienne Westwood. For a brief moment, it perfectly synthesised the intersection of pop culture and politics, symbolising a youthful, modern, and optimistic Britain.

Follow this link to see DEV 851T conveying Noel Gallagher and friends to the ‘Cool Britannia’ Party:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kM4PUB5vXoM&ra=m

By the mid-2000s, DEV 851T was starting to be used and enjoyed less by Noel Gallagher and was subsequently laid-up for several years. In 2012, the car was offered to our vendor, a chance opportunity through mutual associates, who never really aspired to own a Rolls-Royce but appreciated the car and also its provenance (although, Oasis had acrimoniously split up three years previously, with most fans and music commentators spending the last 15 years believing that any reunion would never happen due to the deeply bitter feud between Noel and Liam).

Only after receiving the car, did our vendor (only the car's 4th owner, in 48 years) discover that inside it was its original book-pack, including manuals/owners handbook etc., plus the old V5C document (signed by Noel) - quite remarkable! Over the last 14 years, our vendor has lavished much attention (and investment) on DEV 851T, always ensuring it was stored inside, having it professionally resprayed in the correct period-colour of Chestnut, topped with a new Everflex roof and having the car routinely serviced/maintained by an ex-Rolls-Royce mechanic. It’s been treated to new carpets, new white-wall tyres and, we understand, is running and driving really well. The indicated mileage is 63,773 (at time of consignment), which is commensurate with the car’s condition and associated paperwork.

Iconic Auctioneers, over the last 15 years, have been privileged to successfully sell cars previously belonging to other iconic individuals, including Steve McQueen, Elton John, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Diana, and we are again honoured to offer this famous Rolls-Royce to the open market.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a car that was truly coveted and enjoyed by rock-royalty, Noel Gallagher, and was present – right at the epicentre – of those hugely significant Oasis years, helping to define the cultural phenomenon we experienced in the UK during the 1990s. Just imagine the stories DEV 851T could tell!

With Oasis now reformed, back out on (a sold-out) tour and with their documentary in cinemas, it all cements their status as one of most important bands of all time, a voice of a generation, symbolising a raw, unapologetic rise from the gritty streets of Manchester to global superstardom. They were able to perfectly capture that mid-90s British optimism in their music, style, and attitude, and DEV 851T was right there, giving this particular rock star his ‘I’ve made it, and this is my chocolate brown Rolls-Royce’ moment.

Transmission: Automatic