One-of-a-kind: The 1934 Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental 'All-Weather Convertible' Rolls-Royce is expected to fetch £8.5 million at auction. Built in 1934 for an Indian Maharaja and named the 'Star of India' is set to become the world's most expensive car.

The Star will be offered up for bids on September 15th.

When sold the 1934 Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental 'All-Weather Convertible' is expected to eclipse the sale of a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa that sold at auction in May for £7.2 million.

One of the Star's unique features is extra headlights that track the steering wheel and therefore follow the road.


This technology was a forerunner of today's 'adaptive-curve lights' found on modern saloon cars such as BMWs and Mercedes.

Rolls-Royce collector Hans-Gunther Zach is accepting bids on 24 other rare Rolls-Royces and three Bentleys including a 1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Phantom I Open Tourer, known as the 'Aluminium Sculpture' because of its natural aluminium body and chassis.

Also in the auction is a Phantom II Cabriolet 'Hunting Car' built for the India's Maharajah of Rewa.

Designed to hunt India's tigers, the 'Hunting Car' has a specially designed gun rack built into the chassis.