The 4×4 Rolls-Royce Prototype “Jules”

This 4×4 Rolls-Royce, named “Jules,” is a custom-built rally racer loosely based on a Rolls-Royce Corniche. It competed in the 1981 Paris-Dakar Rally and it has a fiberglass body, a Toyota Land Cruiser chassis, and a 5.7 liter Corvette V8 engine.

Sponsored by Christian Dior to promote its cologne “Jules,” the vehicle carried extensive branding. Despite Rolls-Royce initially opposing the project, Dior’s involvement allowed it to proceed.

“Jules” performed impressively in the rally, climbing as high as 13th place before a damaged steering system disqualified it. Nevertheless, it completed the race, garnering significant media attention and cementing its status as a legendary Paris-Dakar Rally competitor.