Rally Royalty

Few vehicles can rival the legendary status of the Jules Rolls-Royce Corniche, a one-of-a-kind prototype created for the gruelling Paris-Dakar Rally. This iconic machine embodies the daring spirit and ingenuity of motorsport's golden age, remaining one of the most unforgettable entries in rally history.

The story of ‘Jules’ began with the inaugural Paris-Dakar Rally in 1978, a daring event that challenged competitors to traverse over 3,000 kms of unforgiving desert terrain. Among the most memorable entries was the 1981 debut of adventurer Thierry de Montcorgé’s audacious creation: a Rolls-Royce Corniche transformed into a desert racer, thanks to sponsorship from Christian Dior and their Jules fragrance campaign.

Underneath its polyester Corniche body, the Jules prototype combined a tubular Toyota BJ45 chassis, a powerful 5.7-litre Corvette V8 engine, and a massive 332-litre fuel tank. This remarkable blend of engineering prowess and marketing genius turned heads worldwide, cementing its status as a rally icon.

This 1981 Rolls-Royce Prototype ‘Jules’ will feature as part of Aguttes upcoming Autumn sale in Paris on 1st December 2024. Photos © Aguttes and Frederic Veillard