Sept 11: High Rollers Rejoice

Does this mansion that, is on its way to completion, belong to any of my readers? This behemoth is being built a couple of miles from my home in Toronto and as I've said before, the prestigious Bridal Path area is a couple of miles geographically and many million of dollars monetarily, from my humble abode. Anyway, if this is your new home, then you had better have a magnificent new ride to go along with it. That old Rolls Phantom or heaven forbid, a Maybach, is just not going to cut it anymore. But before you throw your hands up in frustration, not knowing what to do, Rolls Royce and Mercedes have come to your rescue.

Rolls Royce has just unveiled their new Dawn cabrio, the drop top version of their hot looking (for a Rolls, that is) Wraith coupe. Sure, it looks similar to the recently discontinued big gun Phantom convertible, but check out those svelte new measurements. This one is fashion model lithe. And, since this is a smaller car, you only need to pay around $500k starting price, for the privilege of adding those especially important touches that, will make your Dawn stand out from the other one or two in your hood and add thousands to its price.

"Sporting" for a Rolls is definitely a relative term and of course, you know that, I'm going to show you a couple of other long gone models that, might also have used the term "sporty" in their ads. Like this one from the late '50's, which seems to be based on the Bentley Continental of the day. Not quite as snotty looking as a Silver Cloud cabrio............

Or this custom job, by Freestone & Webb, that sold three years ago back at a auction in Monaco (does that location surprise you?)..........

Sporty in a Rolls Royce kind of way, but also maybe because it was a two seater?

Anyway, the new Dawn would be a wonderful way to express to your new neighbours that, you are a person of good taste in fine homes and automobiles.

But, just maybe things are not quite as they appear. You've blown your quite substantial wad of dough on that, wonderful pile of stone and the decorating costs are going to mean that, trip to South Palm will only be for two months this winter, instead of three. So, while your neighbour flaunts their new Dawn, you take a touch more restrained view and greet the day in a new S Class Mercedes convertible........

Finally, after all these years, about forty five actually, Mercedes is once again going to bring to market a top of the line convertible, for those amongst you who find the Rolls or even a Bentley, a touch too ostentatious. Removing the top of their big coupe has wrought this luscious ride.....

And in the background is the last S Class cab, called the 280 SE back in the day. Want to see a much better pic of Mercedes' history? I thought so...........

 

Beautifully finished and still a gorgeous looking piece in 2015. But I digress, so we are back to reality, the house set you back a ton and you'll just have to bite the bullet and show up at the local BBQ in an elegant new Benz, ignoring the fact that there will be at least another dozen similar cars, after all this one will only be in the $200k range. Chump change for a roller like you, even after the new "shack" has been landscaped and open to your friends' adoration......

Yes, life is good, but not without a touch of regret that, you couldn't have cut back on the tennis courts (you don't even play) and put that money into the oh so lovely new Dawn......

 Oh well, such are the problems of the very wealthy (and you thought buying a new Accord Touring was a touch extravagant). At least Rolls and Mercedes have given the rest of us something to dream about.

Until next time.......