‘This indigenous ancient breed was much celebrated, especially after White Mane won the Short Film Grand Prix at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival; this movie, about a wild stallion in this wild region of France and his friendship with a fearless and adventurous young boy, is directed by Albert Lamorisse, who went on to make the celebrated classic The Red Balloon.

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‘The famous white Camarguais, known for their stamina, hardiness and agility, live in almost wild conditions in the marshy land of the region: the Camargue horse is the traditional mount of the Camargue cowboys who herd the area’s black bulls.

‘And as a south of France concept – an area then considered the quintessence of glamour – it was like the extreme reverse side of the gaming tables at Monte Carlo, 160 miles east along the Mediterranean coastline.

‘So you might not be surprised that at the end of the 1960s when Rolls-Royce was in the process of launching a range-topping coupe to slot in above its Corniche in the model range, it settled on the name of Rolls-Royce Camargue.

‘This Rolls-Royce Camargue is an excellent original California car that is mechanically sound, one of only 531 ever produced during the car’s 11-year production.

‘First sold in the UK for 29,250 pounds in 1975, the Rolls-Royce Camargue was then the most expensive car in the world. In the United States, meanwhile, where Rolls-Royce deemed it should appear even more exclusive, it was priced even higher, an additional $15,000 added on to the British cost. Throughout its 10-year production run, it would remain the most expensive car in the world, its final price in 1985 around $150,000. Although almost twice as expensive as a Rolls-Royce Corniche, which it sold as a hardtop from 1971 to 1980, it was mechanically identical to it in every way except for one: the Rolls-Royce Camargue was the first car to offer dual-zone climate control. Autocar described the system as ‘childishly simple’ to operate and the design featured in every subsequent Rolls-Royce and Bentley right up to 1998.

‘The Camargue’s 6750cc V8 had extra power and torque to the Corniche: it would get to 60mph in 11 seconds, with a top speed of 118mph. Codenamed Project Delta, the Camargue was planned as long ago as 1969 to replace the Corniche two-door.

‘One of its several Unique Selling Points was its then very vogueish styling by Sergio Pininfarina, the Ferrari designer. It also offered ample lounging room for four people, effortless cruising with all the creature comforts of a luxury saloon.

‘After the bodies were created they were sent north to Crewe for painting and assembling before returning to Mulliner for finishing: it took around 24 weeks to construct a single Camargue.

‘With such diligence and love behind it this chintzy coupé has to be one of the best-kept sleeping classics that there is. Prices are on the way up and the Rolls-Royce Camargue’s retro look is now quintessentially fashionable.

‘Wild Horses wouldn’t keep me away.

-Alex Manos, Owner