An original-bodied, Barker tourer, not to be mistaken for one of many ‘replicas’ that are out there. You may think that the car looks like a Horsfield reproduction, partly due to the colour scheme, but in fact it’s the very car that was used by that company as the basis for the design of their bodies. The car was delivered to us 100 years to the day from its first registration date in 1926! Correct, complete, smart, in  lovely condition all-round, and includes a full set of six 21” wheels, divided windscreen, Barker dipping headlights, ‘diver’s helmet’ rear lights, and various other appealing features. Sensibly, the car has been updated with flashing indicators – important in modern traffic conditions. The history file includes some lovely family photos from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as a ‘story of the car’s life’. Complete with side screens and a tonneau cover, stainless steel exhaust system, the car is running and driving nicely, greatly enhanced by the fitting of overdrive, relaxing cruising speeds nicely. Offered serviced, prepared and newly MoT tested.

Price. £.

Snippets: The Millers & the Majors

Miss Irene Sarah Sutcliffe (born 1896) was a scion of the Sutcliffe family of Todmorden – the family wealth was earnt in the corn milling industry.  Irene had two sisters – her eldest Kathleen died of peritonitis in 1910 aged just 16, in 1923 her youngest sister Winifred married Derrick Warden Milligan in what was described as “the most fashionable wedding”. Derrick’s father was Sir William Milligan (1864/1929) a pioneer of Laryngologist & Aurist research – today known as Ear Nose & Throat, he developed the treatment of hearing issues into the branch of otology.  Their father Arthur died in 1912 aged just 50 after a long illness & his widow and children moved from The Royd into Scaitcliffe Hall near Todmorden.  The hall was sold in 1954 to the local council for use as an old age home.  It is not known if Irene ever drove the 20hp or if she preferred to be chauffeured – there is a report that in 1922 when Irene was living at Lower Laith in Todmorden that a member of the public was knocked down – the car being driven by her chauffeur! 

In 1946, after WWII, the car was with Major J A Jackson of Gosforth – in 1939 his family had sent a cheque for the sum of £5 to the war fund to be used for the purchase of 4,000 cigarettes for the soldiers!

A few years later saw the 20hp with another Major – this time Major P. Andrews who in 1940 aged just 24 was the recipient of the George medal.  That year when he was a 2^nd Lieutenant an unexploded bomb fell near the village of Wing in Buckinghamshire, he was not trained in bomb disposal but he simply de-fused the bomb using a screwdriver from his bicycle tool kit which allowed the local residents to go home!

From 1983 to 2011 GZK10 was with Eric Jackson who during the 1960s was a Ford Works Rally Driver who had, driven from London to Cape Town in 13 days – not we hasten to add in the Rolls-Royce!!  His rallying exploits are described in his book “Petrol in my blood”, a copy of which will accompany the car.

A rare, 4½ litre, small boot model, one of few constructed in this desirable configuration. Built to export specification, and delivered new to Kenya, before going to the Belgian Congo in 1958. By 1978, the car was in North Carolina, and returned to the UK in 1983. It’s early life in kind climates no doubt led to structural preservation, from which the car still benefits to this day. Nicely finished in sand over sable, with twin red pinstripes to the waistline, which harmonise nicely with the lovely interior of red lleather, carpets and over rugs, and fresh-looking headlining, all in excellent condition. Clean, smart, attractive and running nicely, with a good selection of correct, original tools, the car is offered serviced, fitted with a new set of five very well-suited, properly-sized radial tyres and tubes, and newly MoT tested, driving well.

Price. £32,500.

Snippets: African & Airborne Antics

In 1952 the Silver Dawn was shipped to Mombasa on the SS Kenya for Alexander Lovewell Christie (1907/1991) – the family lived on the Nanga Estate in the Rift Valley, Kenya. During WWII, Alexander served in the Royal Naval Reserve as a Temporary Paymaster Lieutenant. That same year as taking delivery of the Silver Dawn, Alexander Christie as appointed to the Nairobi County Education Board, a position which lasted until 1959.

In 1958 the Silver Dawn had been sold to Jack Mat Wilson Poelaert an English architect who in 1947 constructed the main building on the site of what is now Maison St Benoit, a small Benedictine nunnery, overlooking Lake Kivu.  In 1959 this became home of Aloys Bigirumwami – the first African to be appointed Bishop of the Belgium colonies.  In the book “Land of a Thousand Hills”, Rosamond Carr describes Jack Poelaert thus: Jack Poelaert droves a 1922 Rolls-Royce and lived with his mother and a domesticated golden monkey in a spectacular house surround by fragrant citrus groves”.  The 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is mentioned elsewhere as Poelaert being a shared owner alongside Jack Rubens – the mystery thickens!!  By the 1960s’ Jack Poelaert had left Rwanda and relocated to Uganda, this was partly due to his political views at the time.

During the 1970s the Silver Dawn was in North Caroline with Henry Welfare Jr, during WWII he had piloted B17 the Flying Fortress and was president of the 305th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force, they were the most-decorated USAAF heavy-bombardment groups in the European Theatre & had their motto was “Can Do”.

The 2nd American owner was William Fank Helms Jr. of Monroe.  His enterprises included College Shoppe (a pair of men’s clothiers) & Frank’s Ltd which was also an out-fitters.  In Weddington he was the proprietor of Endless Endeavours were he sold & bought vintage cars internationally and he owned various real estate!!

A handsome car, which has benefitted from a good deal of attention, including an engine refurbishment, with a new block & pistons, and a while before that a new cylinder head. The car is good and sound, and has correct P100 headlights, long-trumpet horns, and twin side-mounted spare wheels, as well as attractive ‘trouser crease’ wings. In the boot is a fitted tray with a good selection of correct, original tools, and the car is accompanied by a sizable file of paperwork, which include invoices for work carried out over the years amounting to nearly £50,000, photos of the car being repainted, old MoT certificates, an original handbook, and various other documentation. An overall very good example, running nicely, waiting for its next life chapter.

Price £36,500.

Snippets:  Oil Wells & a Ship Yard Actress.

Thomas Lavington-Jacks (1884/1966), Resident-Director of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later known as BP) was stationed in Tehran from 1926/35.  Whilst there Thomas Lavington-Jacks amassed an important collection of Iranian antiquities which included a 4th Century Achaemenid silver bowl (the time of Darius III who was defeated by Alexander the Great).  In 1935 the bowl was displayed in Russia at The Hermitage & in 1998 was acquired by the British Museum.

The Rolls-Royce remained with Thomas Lavington-Jacks until 1944 when she was sold to J. Lloyd Shakespeare, trumpet virtuoso & dance time band conductor whose 1920s recordings included: “Roll Away Clouds”, Baby Blues”, “Laughing Marionette” & “Whistle Away Your Blues”.  In 1942 Lloyd Shakespeare & his partner (later wife) stage & screen actress Miss Betty Warren purchased Stebbings Shipyard on the River Thames.  During this time the firm produced lifeboats, whales & dinghies for the Admiralty & MoWT.  Co-incidentally Thomas’ wife Elsie Sheridan-Stevens was also involved in the theatre – she was a direct descendant of Richard Brinsley Sheridan – MP, Playwright & a notorious rake!.

Later owners of GTL68 included Colonel A S Lowe of Baker Street & Captain Neville John Buss who served with the Zambian Army, he registered GTL68 in Ndola, Zambia.  Whilst in Africa it is understood that GTL69 was with Capt C. Tilney, a commercial pilot with British Airline Emerald Airways, whose fleet included De Havilland Herons!  GTL68 remained in Africa and during the 1980s the owner was Wilse Mare, an architect in Pretoria, a keen car enthusiast & a leading member of the Pretoria Old Motor Club.

An early, vintage example, stylish and in fine condition. The car was originally exhibited at the London Olympia Motor Show, finished in “Ulster blue”, with blue grey cloth to the rear, silver plated fittings and blue leather to the front. Some of this, including silver plated door furniture, remains to this day, and blue is still the theme. Appealing features include ‘Barker Dipping’ headlights, still working nicely, a large Brooks trunk mounted on the rear, double ‘Diver’s helmet’ rear lights, a triangular stop light and a silver plated speedometer in the rear of the car, for the benefit of the passengers! We have a copy of ‘Country Life’ magazine, dated October 1930, which is the ‘Motor Exhibition Number’, showing a photo of what is almost certainly GSR40 on the Barker stand at the show. All in all, a handsome car, sound and smart, solidly built, running nicely, and something to be proud to own. Offered serviced and prepared, driving well.

Price £.

Snippets: Rubber Plantation, Theatrics & Greek Shipping

GSR40 was initially ordered by Mrs Cheshire, the wealthy widow of the brewer Edward Cheshire of Edgbaston – when he died in 1919 he left a sum of £378,000 equivalent to £2.5million today!  It’s not known why Mrs Cheshire didn’t take delivery of GSR40 but it may have been due to ill health as she died in 1932 whilst staying in Llandudno.  Upon her death she only left a tenth of what she had inherited from her husband & made several monetary gifts to her chauffeur, gardener and under-gardener with the gift of an opal & diamond brooch to her lady companion, Annie Linton.

Alderson B Horne (1863/1953) took delivery of GSR40 soon after it had been displayed on the Barker stand at the 1930 Motor Show – his brother was Sir W. Horne Chairman of Prudential Assurance company & Alderson was Chairman of Morib Plantations Ltd who dealt with coconut & rubber production in Malaya.  In the early 1900s Horne became a financial backer of theatres and by WWI was involved in providing entertainment for the troops.  He even took leading roles in several productions under the names of Waldo Wright & Anmer Hall (he claimed this to be his ancestral home but no evidence has been found!).  When Alderson died in 1953 the Rolls-Royce was inherited by his son David E. A. Horne (1898/1970) who was a star of both stage & screen – he excelled at portraying gentlemen of a pompous nature!! These films included Lord of the Manor, The Cardinal, Night Train to Munich, Martin Luther and his final role was in Diamonds for Breakfast cast as the Duke of Windemere.

During the 1980s the car was owned by Alexander Andreadis a scion of the Andreadis Greek shipping family – he married three times & his first wife was none other than the exceptionally well-connected and fabulously wealthy Christina Onassis!  Their union was short lived 1975/1977 and his second, younger wife was a descendant of Comte d’Estainville & Lt. Col Oppenheim (banking).  This 2^nd marriage to Marella Oppenheim lasted a bit longer (1981/1985) and his last marriage in 1988 was to Debra Grace (a model & daughter of a mini-cab driver)!  Alexander was a keen classic car enthusiast and over time his collection included several Rolls-Royce PIIs, a PI Springfield, a PIII, a 20hp & a Silver Wraith.

A smart, clean and handsome example, very nicely finished in silver, with wings and waistline moulding in a lovely shade of blue. The interior – excellent leather to the front, cloth to the rear and headlining all in deep blue, with light blue carpets and particularly attractive wood veneers – all work together to create a very unusual and pretty combination, all in fresh, smart condition, and to a high quality.  Appealing features include ‘trouser crease’ wings, an original Philco ‘Transitone’ radio control on the dashboard, flashing indicators incorporated into the existing sidelights and taillights, as well as trafficators worked from a different switch.  Mechanically very good, running and driving nicely, clutch just overhauled and various preparation carried out. Offered newly MoT tested.

Price £29,500.

Snippets: Grocers & Milk

The first owner of GUB77 was Susan Herald Cochrane the widow of Andrew Cochrane who with his brother Alexander, started their Grocery & Tea trade in the 1870s with 3 shops.  When Andrew died in 1924 (of appendicitis) Cochrane’s had expanded to over 100 stores in the Glasgow area and Andrew’s estate was valued at some £238,000 which today would be in excess of £10m.

In 1921 Andrew Cochrane & James Fyfe-Jamieson purchased Viewfield Villa in Alyth which they gifted to the local nursing association – it remained used by the medical profession until 2014 when it was sold to a private family.  It is not known how long Susan Cochrane kept GUB77 but from 1965 to 1990 the 20/25 was with Edward Stanley Domnarski of Ledyard in Connecticut. Edward had 3 sons Edward Jr, William & David who all appear to be involved in the legal industry & have remained in Connecticut.

The last long-term owner was Cornelius de Rijke (1922/2015) who owned GUB77 from 1990 until his death but the car remained with the family until 2017.  In 1945 Cornelius started his milk transport company which rapidly expanded into general haulage – today the company has some 27 branches in 7 countries with 1,300 employees in Europe.  The wealth the company produced enabled Cornelius to indulge in his hobby of classic cars and he started his private collection which ended up with some 200 cars in a purpose-built museum in Oostvoorne.

A handsome and slightly out of the ordinary car, although referred to as a ‘Continental’ saloon, it would be described by many as a sports saloon. Incorporating ‘trouser crease’ wings, rear-mounted spare wheel, quarter bumpers and top-opening boot, the car is refreshingly different and attractive. Painted in a cheery shade of yellow, with black wings and leather-covered roof, which incorporates a sliding sun roof, and with excellent pale tan leather interior. Chrome work too, is very good. Fitted with a stainless steel exhaust system and – importantly – an overdrive, making the car well-suited to longer distance cruising.  Running well and offered serviced and newly MoT tested. The original registration number was BGF 890, which may well be available to claim back, and this is a process that we would be more than happy to help with. One of the photos shows how the car could look with black wall tyres, rather than the whitewalls currently fitted. We can change them if you prefer black. In addition to the video below, there is another showing a walk around and the engine, which can be seen here: https://youtu.be/VuB9n-cU-9s?si=6IAXGYfl64fDFChF

Price £ 35,000

Snippets: The Sailing Stockbroker

Hugh Carron Scrimgeour (1883/1958) was a scion of the Stockbroking Scrimgeour family of Sussex. The family can trace their origins back to Scotland – the surname is taken from the old English Skrymser meaning swordsman with members of the Scottish clan being Earls of Dundee, Royal Standard Bearers and Constables. Hugh Scrimgeour himself was a keen sailor owning the 8mtr Bermudan Sloop built by William Fife in Scotland & christened Oonah which he raced at Cowes with his daughter Pamela crewing, in honour of her father she later commission the Pamela Snagge Trophy which is awarded annually to the winner of the Mermaid Class. Hugh Scrimgeour’s fleet of yachts included Eastmora (built 1926) and Sans Peur. Hugh had early brushes with the law as in 1909 he was summoned for driving at excessive speeds and in 1912 he was summoned for the lack of an identification plate on his motor and again 1913 for exceeding the speed limit! Perhaps there was less chance of a summons whilst out at sea.

The chassis cards show that the 2nd owner was William Stanley Reeve-Tucker (1888/1939) who was a rubber planter in Malaya and a member of the Malayan Federal Council. Whilst in Malaya William Tucker pioneered a method of killing mosquitos which reduced the number of estate workers suffering from Malaria on the Sungei Way Estate. When William first moved to Malaya in 1907 he joined the MSVR and received his commission in 1913, during WWI he was ranked as a Captain. After his death it is thought that GRC81 was laid up for the duration of WWII as in 1945 it is shown as being with Kenneth & Kitty Hutchison. They were both keen motorists and in 1954 Kenneth entered the Monte Carlo Sun Motor Rally in his 1951 Bentley Chassis Nr. B130MD with N. Birkett as co-driver – they were judged as being joint winners in a triple tie and they won the 4th category – Mass Produced Touring Cars over 2600cc.

On the instruction of the owner, we have now reduced the price of this car very significantly to £75000, meaning that it is now particularly good value! An unusual, very stylish and possibly unique open car, of interesting and particularly handsome design, being relatively sleek, with spats to the rear wheels, quarter bumpers to the rear, twin side-mounted spare wheels, louvred bonnet & scuttle and ‘dropping’ waistline moulding, all complemented by a correct set of lamps and long trumpet horns. All six wheels are fitted with Ace wheel discs, which we feel suit the design nicely. The car is in good, smart condition, the paintwork, chrome work, leather are all very good and nicely presented, and the coachwork is good structurally with excellent door fits, etc. It has recently been fitted with a new cylinder head and is smartly presented under the bonnet. According to the factory records, the paintwork was originally light green throughout with “speckled grey leather and hood material to match”. Amongst the documents in the car’s history file are several photos taken when new, as well as original sales documentation, Jack Barclay invoices, etc, some of which can be seen on the ‘More Photos’ page. All in all, a rare opportunity to acquire ‘something different’. Back to the original colour scheme perhaps? Serviced, prepared, running nicely, driving well and MoT tested.

Price reduced from £99,500 to £75,000.

Snippets: An Indian connection & a tragic family

GGR54 was initially ordered by J. N. Mookerjee of Messrs Martin & Co, India but he did not take delivery of GGR54 – this was because he saw 3CP76 (a Phantom III) in Jack Barclay’s show room and immediately traded in GGR54 + £600 for the PIII which is still with the Mookerjee family in India. The 1st owner of GGR54 was Robert Henry Arthur Rivers-Bulkeley who had a very tragic childhood; his father Captain Thomas Rivers-Bulkeley was aide de camp to Duke of Connaught and whilst serving in the Scots Guards he was killed in action during WWI (Oct 1914) – his son, Robert was just 9 months old. When Robert was 9 ½ years old his mother, Annie Evelyn Pelly died leaving Robert an orphan, his godparents were the Duke of Connaught, the 1st Marquess of Curzon & Sir H. V. Meredith. Robert’s aunt Constance was the wife of David Lindsay, the 27th Earl of Crawford & it is possible that Robert was raised by the Crawfords temselves, perhaps someone can confirm this? GGR54 was only with Robert Bulkeley for a few months as he & his young family were posted to Egypt with the 2nd Battalion of Scots Guards. The 2nd owner of GGR54 was James Miller, a Scottish engineer who in his life time was Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1951/4) and Lord Mayor of London (1964/5) whose mayoral cars had the registrations of S0 (Edinburgh) and LM0 (London). From 1955 to 1974 GGR54 was with the prolific author Ken Ullyett – his books covered topics ranging from Silver Ghosts, Clocks, Pewter and 7 books on various makes of cars. His home of Glycine House in Hampton Court Road dates from the 1700 and is reputed to have been built by George I for his physician and in the cellar there was a connecting tunnel built between Glycine House and Hampton Court!