![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GBBIJNPGDZDEFFCZQRYEJCBF74.jpg?smart=true&auth=4af43ad501f8ce09e5d8ab34572710b74edf2bec6beb1e8766cc62396846c3a1&width=400&height=225)
Rolls-Royce president Ralph Robbins, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso stand next to the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith in July 2001 in Brasilia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUA7AANWQRBNYRZI3B4ZBPKQNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=590548bbe2213d4f031f46d6fec3c19e5e8e5a17c94b9b8729becdfa3e229f77&width=400&height=225)
Brazil's president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, vice president-elect Geraldo Alckmin and their spouses wave to supporters from a 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith on their way to the swearing-in ceremony, in Brasilia. All photos: Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BYJTBTA4AE2G5KG4RMVPCLNYC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9e073aa4731a51a715441bfe6ee373f2b80257b258bdce55263fb71b0433fb4&width=400&height=225)
The classic soft-top car has an L6 engine with a capacity of 4,257cc and HJ Mulliner coachwork
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGQSFACLQ43S7ZVN7BDBFTRRJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dd0a66ad5508cc19f9591ac3bef3408111be60a07e37a40857a00dfd0b0c333&width=400&height=225)
The luxury convertible has been used for presidential inaugurations for 50 years
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B6X5REML7EA7TZL2URWJVQ2U2A.jpg?smart=true&auth=35eb158206ae1a698fe97fce379392eb1aa0118048acdb447f39cea473501eff&width=400&height=225)
Security agents stand next to the vehicle before the start of the inauguration ceremony AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JBOUHD2M7FG6OBU6GKYWFJFHPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=54bd5d8184a32c3a87de6f3a2150228c2fac9f0cd7ef44f7407680d274d1b681&width=400&height=225)
The luxury car can be seen on the streets around Planalto Palace in Brasilia on the first Sunday of each month
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XYKDNSNK45ANDA2F7RBHGC2AC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=49d3eee140535d16fb2574c3467af377e820d146155ccb8e8b1b5ccfef6fd3ec&width=400&height=225)
Lula's predecessor Jair Bolsonaro and his wife Michelle on their way to his inauguration in Brasilia in January 2019
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GBBIJNPGDZDEFFCZQRYEJCBF74.jpg?smart=true&auth=4af43ad501f8ce09e5d8ab34572710b74edf2bec6beb1e8766cc62396846c3a1&width=400&height=225)
Rolls-Royce president Ralph Robbins, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso stand next to the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith in July 2001 in Brasilia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUA7AANWQRBNYRZI3B4ZBPKQNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=590548bbe2213d4f031f46d6fec3c19e5e8e5a17c94b9b8729becdfa3e229f77&width=400&height=225)
Brazil's president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, vice president-elect Geraldo Alckmin and their spouses wave to supporters from a 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith on their way to the swearing-in ceremony, in Brasilia. All photos: Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BYJTBTA4AE2G5KG4RMVPCLNYC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9e073aa4731a51a715441bfe6ee373f2b80257b258bdce55263fb71b0433fb4&width=400&height=225)
The classic soft-top car has an L6 engine with a capacity of 4,257cc and HJ Mulliner coachwork
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGQSFACLQ43S7ZVN7BDBFTRRJ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dd0a66ad5508cc19f9591ac3bef3408111be60a07e37a40857a00dfd0b0c333&width=400&height=225)
The luxury convertible has been used for presidential inaugurations for 50 years
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B6X5REML7EA7TZL2URWJVQ2U2A.jpg?smart=true&auth=35eb158206ae1a698fe97fce379392eb1aa0118048acdb447f39cea473501eff&width=400&height=225)
Security agents stand next to the vehicle before the start of the inauguration ceremony AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JBOUHD2M7FG6OBU6GKYWFJFHPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=54bd5d8184a32c3a87de6f3a2150228c2fac9f0cd7ef44f7407680d274d1b681&width=400&height=225)
The luxury car can be seen on the streets around Planalto Palace in Brasilia on the first Sunday of each month
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XYKDNSNK45ANDA2F7RBHGC2AC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=49d3eee140535d16fb2574c3467af377e820d146155ccb8e8b1b5ccfef6fd3ec&width=400&height=225)
Lula's predecessor Jair Bolsonaro and his wife Michelle on their way to his inauguration in Brasilia in January 2019
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GBBIJNPGDZDEFFCZQRYEJCBF74.jpg?smart=true&auth=4af43ad501f8ce09e5d8ab34572710b74edf2bec6beb1e8766cc62396846c3a1&width=400&height=225)
Rolls-Royce president Ralph Robbins, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso stand next to the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith in July 2001 in Brasilia
Brazil's Lula arrives at inauguration in style in 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Worth more than $200,000 in today's money, the luxurious convertible was used in Sunday's ceremony
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The National
02 January, 2023
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