Jimmy Savile's Rolls Royce sells 44.4% above estimate in charity auction

Sir Jimmy Savile's "last of line" Rolls Royce has sold with strong results, as the Top of the Pops entertainer made one last effort to raise money for charity.

Sir Jimmy Savile BMW Isetta 300 Plus
Sir Jimmy aboard his beloved BMW Isetta bubble car


The July 30 auction took place at Saviles Hall in Sir Jimmy's hometown of Leeds, UK, where hundreds of people packed the auction to bid on his extensive selection of cars, jewellery and memorabilia spanning the decades of his remarkable career.

The auction came as a result of Sir Jimmy's dying wish - to donate the remainder of his belongings to charity, after a life spent raising funds for those in need.

His 2002 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible sold as top lot in the sale, as a sought after limited edition model built to commemorate the end of production in Crewe. The production of Rolls Royce cars in the Uk town began in 1946, lasting 56 years before the plant was closed in 2002. 56 examples of the Corniche "last of line" were due to be manufactured, yet only 46 were actually built. Sir Jimmy's example sold 44.4% above its £90,000 high estimate to achieve £130,000.

Following this was Savile's comical yellow BMW Isetta 300 Plus. The three-wheeled bubble car was bought by Sir Jimmy in 1965 and was one of his favourite vehicles. Accompanied by two photographs of Sir Jimmy with the Isetta, it soared past its £8,000 high estimate to achieve £22,000 - a 175% increase.

One of the most anticipated lots came from his original Jim'll Fix It chair, which was offered with all the expected wear and tear from years in front of the TV cameras. It sold for £8,500, against a £8,000-12,000 valuation. This lot was followed by a simple Jim'll Fix It badge, which an internet bidder paid £2,000 for.

The total realisation for the auction has yet to be calculated, though it is expected to be in the region of £325,000 - far greater than the expected £150,000.

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