In 1998 Elizabeth Taylor was featured in the pages of Vanity Fair, seated in the front of a shiny convertible Rolls-Royce in 1961, next to her then husband Eddie Fisher. The car, nicknamed the Green Goddess for its hunting-green hue, had been custom-made for Taylor in 1960, just after her marriage to Fisher, and she went on to use it for almost 20 years before selling it on to its current owner. Next month, however, fans will have the opportunity to bid on Taylor’s beloved convertible as it goes under the hammer on August 6 at the Pierre Hotel in New York. Unusually for something this notable, the car will be offered without reserve.
In the week leading up to the auction the Green Goddess will be parked outside the Pierre Hotel, where the star lived with Fisher, for potential buyers to inspect. Particularly of note is the green paint colour, originally called Green Smoke, which was created specially for Taylor to match the colour of her favourite dresses, as well as her wedding dress.
One of around 20 left-hand-drive Silver Cloud II drophead coupes ever built – and in good condition with a rebuilt engine, new leather interior and convertible top – the car itself is said to be worth around $600,000-$700,000. However, the Taylor connection will elevate its worth significantly; in previous charity auctions her association has increased the value of lots up to five times.
“A fair estimate might be $1m-$2m,” a spokesperson said, “but it might not be surprising if the car sold for more than that.”
