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The first Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe destined for the United States has been bought for almost NZ$3 million at a charity auction in Florida.
The auction was held at the annual Naples Winter Wine festival and the car was bought by a resident of the resort, on Florida's west coast. The winning bid of $US2 million ($2.91 million) is the single highest price paid for any lot in the event's seven-year history and, it is believed, makes the Phantom Drophead Coupe the most expensive new car ever sold in the United States.
More than US$1.6 million of the bid will go to the Naples Children and Education Foundation's programmes for underprivileged and at-risk children. The auction, held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, was attended by top vintners and chefs, and TV and film personalities.
Naples families who share a passion for wine and food established the festival in 2000.
Rolls-Royce launched the Phantom Drophead Coupe at last month's Detroit motor show. The two-door, four-seat convertible costs US$511,000. It is handmade at the company's headquarters in Goodwood, England, and this year's production has already been sold.
Rolls-Royce sold more than 800 cars in 50 countries last year, its best result since 1990.
