ARNAGE & SERAPH COLLECTION

PERFECTION IN THREE ACTS

When you know exactly what you want, even a Rolls-Royce sometimes isn’t enough. But a Rolls-Royce and two Bentleys might be…

WORDS: NIGEL BOOTHMAN PHOTOS: GREGORY OWAIN

It’s a simple question: why have you got three of them? The answer, of course, is not simple. Although it hardly needs answering at all if you’re a proper car nut; we all know how these things can happen. You start with one, you find another, you can just about manage the storage space and funds for a third, and it was such a good example it would have been a shame to miss it…

Philip Robinson has applied a good deal more logic than that during the assembly of this trio. Before we get to his acquisition of these lovely cars, we need to step back a little way. Right back to Zimbabwe, in fact, where Philip was born and where he lived until he was 13. We note down childhood memories of white cars, so popular in a country where the sun did its best to cook you alive and hardly anything came with air conditioning.

After school in the UK, Philip

remained here and at the age of 26 bought a black Silver Cloud III with a red interior. It was a striking car and started a life-long affinity with Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but it had to stay behind when Philip returned to Africa not long afterwards. It went into storage, but like many with roots in different places, Philip found that keeping a foot in two continents wasn’t really practical and the Cloud eventually went to auction.

Philip came back to the UK in 1999 with his now-husband Stephen Want and endured a long wait before they could re-enter the world of RollsBentley motoring. Philip moved on a couple of generations, starting with a Turbo RT in 2015, then a 1968 Mulliner Park Ward drophead, the car we would know from 1971 as the Corniche. After this came a left-hand drive Silver Spur, bought with the idea of holidaying on the Continent, but somehow it never clicked and that one didn’t stay long. Indeed, Philip wasn’t always at ease with the RT or the Shadow drophead coupé, either. He explains why.

‘I’m a “get in and drive” kind of guy, I’m not one for working on the cars at home and I don’t have that kind of workshop facility,’ he says. ‘With the older cars, I was finding they needed attention so often that it wasn’t only expensive, it was inconvenient – we wanted to be able to enjoy them and if one was away being fixed, it wasn’t available.’

The MPW drophead suffered a mishap that confirmed the issue for Philip with older cars. He and Stephen live in a pretty village just off the A1 and were returning home after a pleasant drive in the drophead, slowing from motorway speeds to peel off onto the slip road. All was well until they were about to turn into his own lane and the brakes failed.

‘We just carried on rolling forward into a hedge, which reduced any real impact,’ says Philip, ‘but of course it could have been so much worse at 70mph on the A1. I had no warning of it and it shook my faith in older cars and gave a sour taste to ownership of that one, even though it was just a single mechanical failure.’

Understandable, though. It sent Philip’s ideas in a new direction, moving forward with the generations once again to the Bentley Arnage and what began as its sister car, the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph (see box, page 15 to learn how these rivals shared a nest).

RIDE A WHITE SWAN

The first car Philip found was the white Arnage RL 250, the long-wheelbase version of the Arnage R, in 2016. This car is left-hand drive and was bought with a clear idea of European travel, as with the previous Spur. This time, »

Arnage RL maintains composure through bends remarkably well

however, car and owner clicked.

‘We’ve had some great trips abroad,’ says Philip. ‘The one that sticks in my mind is a drive from Annecy through the Alps to Chamonix – not the sort of roads you might associate with a longwheelbase Bentley, but it was so surefooted and impressive around those hairpins. In fact, it was so enjoyable that when we arrived, I was tempted to turn around and drive back again!’

Since then, Philip reckons he and Stephen have averaged about 2500 miles a year, almost all of which is done abroad. The vendor passed on the story of the car’s origins, which Philip can’t confirm but believes to be accurate.

‘I gather it was ordered in Paris by an Arab gentleman,’ says Philip. ‘He lived in London and bought this car so his chauffeur could drive him down to his house in Cannes. It was ordered with a rear sunroof, which is very unusual, and might be why the car was featured in Richard Vaughan’s book on the Azure, Seraph, Brooklands and Arnage.’

A friendly dealer later mentioned to Philip that he had a Turbo R on his premises that previously belonged to Prince Charles – and which also had a rear sunroof. Not one to miss a chance, Philip brought the RL down to have its picture taken alongside the Turbo. But most of the fun has been had in France, with a memorable trip round the Burgundian villages revealing not only the Arnage’s impressive boot capacity but also the true value of that extra wheelbase that gives rearseat passengers increased legroom.

‘The distance from the rear seats to the front was perfect for two more cases of wine,’ says Philip with a smile.

That’s with the luxury accoutrements folded away. If you were to slide yourself over the Linen hide and Cranberry piping, you would find in the back of the front passenger’s seat a pull-out panel housing two decanters and two glasses. The back of the driver’s seat (we’re LHD, »remember) conceals a magazine rack.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH: THE CARS FROM A BROKEN HOME

Rolls-Royce Motors was under the ownership of Vickers PLC when, in October 1990, design work began on the car that would eventually replace the SZ series of Rolls-Royce and Bentley models. Progress was painstakingly slow but 1998 finally saw the launch of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage. For the first time in Rolls-Royce history, the cars would be powered by non-Rolls-Royce engines: a BMW 5.4-litre V12 for the Silver Seraph and a BMW 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 for the Arnage. But something else happened in 1998 – Vickers decided to sell Rolls-Royce Motors. We’ve touched on this tale before in RR&BD but it’s particularly relevant here. BMW were outbid by Volkswagen, who acquired everything bar the really important bits: the RollsRoyce brand name and logo. BMW scooped those for just £40m. So now VW owned the company that built cars using engines supplied by the rival who also owned the brand name…which they weren’t about to relinquish. With Rolls-Royce therefore effectively lost to BMW, VW had to concentrate on Bentley and while negotiations rumbled on, they hastily re-engineered the Arnage to take the old L-series 6.75-litre V8 engine, which VW did have the rights to build, calling it the Arnage Red Label. There was a PR message that the change came from customer demand (the reception for the BMW V8 Arnage wasn’t entirely favourable) but it’s best taken with a pinch of salt. Meanwhile, the Seraph remained in production with the BMW engine, though only long enough for BMW to replace it with their all-new Phantom VII in 2003. The Arnage soldiered on with the V8 until 2009, but ironically the old engine had been so well developed by then it could continue to serve in the new 505bhp Mulsanne.

Philip Robinson with his left-hand drive 'holiday car', preferred in cool white thanks to an African childhood. The carpet would hide drops of spilt burgundy rather nicely, wouldn't it?

The most sporting car in the collection, the Arnage R eats up A-roads

Both seats also offer a picnic table, of course. These features all score heavily in the ‘plus’ column for Philip, who confesses to a fondness for wood panelling and is very much of the ‘more is more’ school of thought with these cars, which is really where the love for long-wheelbase versions comes from – remember also his previous Turbo RT and Silver Spur, the LWB version of the Silver Spirit.

‘They are big cars and I think the bigger the better. I’ve always had a passion for long-wheelbase cars because I feel the longer they are, the better they epitomise the brand.’

Yet a 5.65m limousine with the steering wheel on the left is not perhaps as suited to regular use in little old England as it is to exploring Europe. No, what you need for that is something compact and bijou, like, er…a normal Arnage R.

CLOSE TO A DAILY?

In 2017 Philip found this Peacock Blue Arnage R with Parchment hide. He is the fifth owner and the car is now showing 80,000 miles, though it’s a shock to see that figure on the odometer, such is the car’s condition. It wasn’t quite so nice when it arrived, as Philip explains.

‘The previous owner was a lawyer in the East Midlands and I think he used it more or less daily, so while it was probably only showing normal signs of use to other people it was a bit scruffy and dirty by my standards.’

Yes, the more we talk to Philip the more we start to understand his views on how the cars should be looked after. He claims to limit the spend on their maintenance to a budget but in practice, we suspect the cars get anything they need – and Philip is not one to allow a new rattle or squeak to develop without investigation. So when the Arnage arrived, it went straight to Philip’s trusted specialists Colbrooks in Stilton, only a few miles from his home.

‘It got a new gearbox, brakes, brake discs, tyres and more – what I call a slaughter list! I think it came out at eight or nine thousand pounds. But I don’t mind doing that once, because then I know for sure what I’ve got. I have an old L322 Range Rover and I’ve probably replaced almost every major item on the thing, but I will not replace that car because I know it.’

Yes, there are cars in Philip’s life that are neither Rolls-Royces nor Bentleys, and for this reason the Arnage never had to be a true daily driver. But it does get used, racking up 4000 miles a year with trips to Cornwall or other pleasure use, and unlike some of Philip’s previous cars it repays the attention and investment with excellent reliability.

‘It’s probably my slightly OCD nature,’ he says, ‘but it really matters to me. The Shadow drophead was beautiful but needy, and while I loved the SZ »

1975 HANWELLS OF LONDON 2022

1953 Silver Dawn Automatic Four Door Sports Saloon Delivered new to Australia and hence structurally superb, very smartly re-finished in original Ivory & Black. Running & driving beautifully, enhanced by a recent set of radial tyres; £42,500 2 Bentley R-Types & 15 pre-war R-R - open/closed/cabriolet

1958 James Young Bentley S1 Four Door Sports Saloon A fabulous example of the B10 design finished in Black and Silver with superb Tan leather piped Blue. Chassis up restoration in the 1990’s. Power steering and driving beautifully! Choice of Bentley S1, S2, S3 & Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

2014/14 Bentley Flying Spur W12 Mulliner.. Finished in special order Fountain Blue with 21 inch Mulliner alloy wheels and glass sunroof. The interior is in Linen leather, with French Navy secondary hide. This car is beautiful and has had only two owners from new. 57,000 miles with Full History. Immaculate .....£53,950 2012/12 Bentley Mulsanne. Finished in Beluga with a fine white coach line and 21 inch five spoke polished alloy wheels. Linen hide with Beluga secondary hide and Premier specification with picnic tables. Maintained by us for the last 6 years. Immaculate condition throughout, outstanding value ................£72,950

2008/08 Bentley Continental GTC Mulliner. Finished in Beluga with a Black hood and 20 inch Mulliner alloys. The interior is in Beluga with contrast stitching in St James and Charcoal carpets with Piano Black veneers. Only 65,000 miles with Full Service History. Immaculate condition throughout, must be seen. ...............only £41,750 2004/04 Bentley Arnage T Mulliner.. Finished in Beluga with 19 inch split rim alloys. Beluga interior with turned alloy dash and door cappings. Only 40,000 miles with full history, previously supplied by us 6 years ago. Four new tyres just fitted, immaculate condition throughout and outstanding value...only £33,650

2004/04 Bentley Continental GT. Finished in Sapphire Blue with 19 inch split rim alloys. The interior is in Portland with Nautic secondary hide and Granite carpets with Walnut veneers. Supplied by us 7 years ago and has been maintained regardless of cost. Immaculate condition throughout and value at ...only £24,250 2002/02 Bentley Arnage T Mulliner. Finished in beautiful unmarked Verdant Green with 19 inch split rim alloys. The interior is Magnolia with picnic tables to the rear and Spruce Green carpets with Magnolia piping, all complemented with Walnut veneers. Only 2 owners, 71,000 miles with FSH. ................................only £26,750

1998 S Bentley Continental R Chatsworth

Limited Edition. Number 7 of only 10 numbered models. This extremely rare car, with numerous Chatsworth features, is finished in Chatsworth Silver with Silverstone interior and Beluga secondary hide, with contrasting carpets. Only 53,000 miles with FSH ............................£58,950 1997 P Bentley Brooklands Turbo. Finished in Silver Pearl with Turbo RT alloys, with Silverstone interior piped in French Navy and French Navy carpets with Silverstone piping and comfort seating design. Known to us for 9 years and maintained regardless of cost. Stunning and outstanding value .............................only £19,750

1937 Bentley 4¼ Thrupp & Maberly Sports saloon Fitted at some stage with a slightly earlier 3½ litre engine which is running well with lively performance. Very attractive with excellent Reddish Brown leather & nice registration! £55,000. Selection of eight interesting Derby Bentleys - open & closed Visit our eBay Real Car Co Parts shop –follow link on our website.

1990 H Rolls Royce Silver Spirit MK II Active Ride. Finished in Cobalt Blue with Cream coach lines on its unmarked bodywork. Magnolia interior with French Navy piping and French Navy carpets and picnic tables. Only 2 owners and only 79,000 miles with FSH. Immaculate throughout and must be seen .........only £19,950 1977 R Rolls Royce Corniche FHC 2 dr Coupe. Finished in Sand with a Walnut vinyl roof and white wall tyres. Cream interior with Cream carpets, with Walnut piping and Walnut veneers, all in perfect condition. Only 48,000 miles, known to ourselves for last 7 years. Lots of history, a superb investment ...................£69,950

OVER 60 ROLLS-ROYCE & BENTLEY IN STOCK

All vehicles have a full 20,000 mile service plus a 100 point check and 1 year MoT, together with a 24 month 5 star warranty (parts and labour) Open 7 days a week for appointments BROADWAY, 86-88 UXBRIDGE ROAD, LONDON W7 3ST Tel: 0208 567 6557 / 0208 567 9729 After Hours: 01932 224872 Email: sales@hanwells.com Web: www.hanwells.com

models their road manners lacked the togetherness of the Arnage. It does feel more powerful, better built and yes, more modern. It’s also a good deal bigger on the inside.’

Ah yes, the interior space of the SZ family never quite delivered what you might expect from the exterior dimensions. But if it’s space you’re after, follow us towards the most recent of Philip’s acquisitions.

A PARK WARD PARKS UP

It was November 2019 when a RollsRoyce shimmered into view beside the two Bentleys. This one isn’t just any Silver Seraph, it’s a Park Ward version. That implies (you’ve guessed it!) a longer wheelbase and more interior delights, and also a good measure of rarity. Philip tells us it’s number four of only 27 right-hand drive examples made in 2001. But it’s an aesthetic

Pale dials and centre-console gearshift mark out Bentley interior

appreciation rather than a numbers game that drove this purchase.

‘I think the Seraph is the most beautiful design of its time,’ says Philip. ‘It is very stately indeed, both to look at and in its road manners. It wafts… every cliché about riding on a cushion of air seems to apply. The character of the engine is so different too.’

More of that in a moment, but first let’s take a look around this exquisite monster. Like the long Arnage, it’s almost 6m from end to end and probably over 2.5 tonnes in weight, though the size is very well managed by the styling, not least because the team involved extended both the front and rear doors from the standard model to ensure the proportions remained balanced. The Black Sapphire finish suits it very nicely, while inside you’ll find Magnolia hide and more of Philip’s favoured extras to play with in the back. Here we have four glasses and space for four decanters hidden behind glossy veneered panels, with even the headrest TV screens nestling in walnut surrounds.

Philip is only the second owner of this car, though the fourth or fifth on paper after the previous chap passed it between various company names. Astonishingly, it’s showing a higher mileage than either of the others with 90,000 rolling round just recently. It seems these Seraph and Arnage models that developed so differently still share an important feature: look after them properly, and they continue to behave like new cars. And Philip is nothing if not careful about that.

‘I’m afraid I don’t even like people touching my cars,’ he says, ‘I hired a chauffeur once and arranged for him to drive Stephen and I into London to celebrate a special anniversary at our favourite hotel, but I wasn’t very relaxed with someone else driving. It’s still the only time I’ve been in the back seat!’

DEFINING DIFFERENCES?

So there we have it – one for foreign travel, one for pleasure trips in the UK and one for the most decadent wafting to RREC events. Philip is in a unique position to tell us what sets these cars apart, as you could look at them from the outside and assume they were much of a muchness. Not so.

‘The Seraph is by far the softest and smoothest,’ he says. ‘That V12 engine is incredibly silky and as I never use more than about 3000rpm, it’s silent. You wouldn’t charge through corners in this car, but for old-fashioned RollsRoyce luxury, I think it’s wonderful.’

To the Arnages then – does the extra 250mm of wheelbase between Arnage R and RL change the car’s character? The biggest difference they »

Dignified rather than nimble: the Seraph's strengths lie in supreme comfort and space, shown below

A nice problem to have - which would you choose?

share over the Seraph is the venerable Rolls-Royce 6.75-litre V8 engine, each car equipped with twin turbos. That gives a significant increase in capacity, power and torque over the Seraph and the Arnage is set up to exploit it, whatever the wheelbase, says Philip.

‘The Arnages are more surefooted and sporting, there’s no doubt. They pick up quicker from a standstill and they feel more performance-orientated in the cabin, with the gearshift in the centre console. You’re more aware of undulations in the road surface in the RL than you are in the Seraph, but the RL’s steering is a bit more precise. Perhaps there’s not a huge difference in the way the Arnages behave but the Arnage R is probably the more composed, as you’d expect.’

It's been two and a half years since this little trio came together, which means it must be a happy gathering. Philip, like a lot of us, keeps a close eye on the small ads and auctions and knows what’s for sale. His choice, when it comes to buying, has almost always been a reputable specialist dealer and he’s bought cars from Hanwells in London several times. Surely something else will take his fancy before long?

‘Well, I’ve looked at a long-wheelbase Shadow, or rather Wraith, but as I’ve said the experience of living with an older car doesn’t really fit. If money were no object there’s one older car I would make an exception for, though – there’s the most gorgeous RollsRoyce Phantom V with P&A Wood for £365,000. That’s got everything… luxury, grace, sheer size. It’s beautiful.’

Perhaps a closer match to Philip and Stephen’s other cars are replacements he’s considered for the MPW drophead: an Azure, from the Arnage-based second generation, or the fixed-head version that Bentley marketed as the Brooklands Coupé from 2008 to 2011. But you see what talking to a man with two Arnages and a Seraph can do to you? Before we know it, we’re building a collection of our own, even if it’s only in our head. For Philip and Stephen, it’s real enough and it's been a delight to spend some time in an alternative reality we’d all like to sample. ■

Length: Width: Arnage R 5390mm

1933mm Arnage RL250 Silver Seraph Park Ward 5640mm 5639mm

1933mm 1933mm

Weight: 2585kg 2655kg c. 2500kg Engine: 6.75-litre V8, twin turbo 6.75-litre V8, twin turbo 5.4-litre V12, n/a Power: 405bhp@4000rpm 400bhp@4100rpm 322bhp@5000rpm Torque: 615lb ft@3250rpm 615lb ft@3250rpm 361lb ft@3900rpm 0-60mph: 6.2 seconds 6.5 seconds 7.5 seconds Top Speed: 155mph 155mph 140mph Cost new: c. £164k (2002) c.£240k (2006) c. £200k (2001)