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2001 Rolls-Royce Park Ward Seraph

The long-wheelbase Park Ward version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph made its debut in 2000 at the Geneva Motor Show. It was the first 12-cylinder Rolls-Royce since the Phantom III, and was intended for clients who required a chauffeur driven automobile. Its length was extended by 10 inches, with eight of those inches in the front and two at the rear. The interior accruements included cocktail accessories, a fitted wine cooler, and color-matched umbrellas in the trunk. Produced for just two years, a total of 124 examples were sold. The U.S. versions had a base price of nearly $260,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon

The Park Ward was a special-order long wheelbase variant of the Silver Seraph. It is ten inches longer than the Seraph, giving it extremely luxurious, yet modern proportions. It is powered by a 5.4-liter V12 engine which powers the wheels through a 5-speed ZF transmission.

It is the rarest of all Post War Rolls-Royces. Only 127 cars were produced between 2000 and 2002, and only 40 of those came to North America. Because they were only ordered on request, each car is bespoke and no two are alike. This example, which is used regularly, currently resides in Canada.

These were the very last cars to be made in the Crewe, England, Rolls-Royce factory before the brand was sold to BMW.

Developed with help from the BMW Group and powered by a 5.4-liter BMW V12 engine, the Seraph was a far more modern car with up-to-the minute electronics controlling the adaptive ride control, five-speed automatic transmission and a plethora of safety equipment. Body stiffness was said to have improved by 65% producing a better ride, handling and increased drivability. The long wheelbase version was named the Park Ward.

The Silver Seraph was the last model to be built at Crewe and was effectively the first all-new Rolls-Royce since the launch of the Silver Shadow more than 30 years earlier.

by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.

by Rolls-Royce