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1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre Park Ward ‘Close Coupled’ Sports Saloon

1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre Park Ward ‘Close Coupled’ Sports Saloon

1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre Park Ward ‘Close Coupled’ Sports Saloon

A very well-specified example, with a plethora of extra instrumentation and switches on the dashboard, twin fuel fillers, twin side-mounted spare wheels, and various other deviations from ‘standard’.Originally built for Geoffrey Smith, managing editor of ‘The Autocar’ magazine, and specified with many extras and deviations, well documented in various publications, including mentions in four different editions of ‘On The Road’, the contemporary magazine produced by Bentley in the thirties. The history file with the car has copies of some of these, together with other documentation, handbook, etc. The car is in good all-round condition, and has a very impressive frontal appearance, with its selection of lamps and horns. Driving well, sounding good, and looking very handsome in two shades of cream, with red double pinstripe and red leather interior. Offered MoT tested.

Chassis No. B100GA.

Reg No. CXR 3.

Price £47,500.

B100GAext2
B100GAdash4
B100GA CC1
B100GAdet3
B100GA CC2
Autocar 12June1936 Pg102
B100GAext9
B100GAeng4
B100GAdet1
B100GAboot5
B100GAeng9
B100GAdash5
B100GAboot3
B100GAboot2
B100GAext14
B100GAext6
B100GAdash6
B100GAext4
B100GAint1
B100GAdet4
B100GAdash7
B100GAeng3
B100GAdet2
B100GAdash3
B100GAeng1
B100GAint3
B100GAeng5
B100GAint2
B100GAint12
B100GAint5
B100GAint7
B100GAext10
OnTheRoad10pg19
B100GAext8
Roycean2012Pg62
SilentSportsCar
B100GAint6
B100GAext2 B100GAdash4 B100GA CC1 B100GAdet3 B100GA CC2 Autocar 12June1936 Pg102 B100GAext9 B100GAeng4 B100GAdet1 B100GAboot5 B100GAeng9 B100GAdash5 B100GAboot3 B100GAboot2 B100GAext14 B100GAext6 B100GAdash6 B100GAext4 B100GAint1 B100GAdet4 B100GAdash7 B100GAeng3 B100GAdet2 B100GAdash3 B100GAeng1 B100GAint3 B100GAeng5 B100GAint2 B100GAint12 B100GAint5 B100GAint7 B100GAext10 OnTheRoad10pg19 B100GAext8 Roycean2012Pg62 SilentSportsCar B100GAint6

Snippets: Autocar & A Double Royal Connection

George Geoffrey Smith (1885/1951) was best known for his involvement with the Autocar & Motorcycle publications however it should also be noted that during WWI he was the Inspecting Officer of the Motor Machine Gun Service of the Royal Artillery.  During this period, he recruited over 10,000 despatch riders, mobile machine gunners & armoured car drivers – in 1919 in acknowledgment of this remarkable achievement he was awarded and MBE.  In 1917 Geoffrey Smith transferred from the army to serve with the Royal Flying Corp.  After war ended he returned to work for the Iliffe company and in 1923 he became a director of the firm.  In 1927 his wife Margaret died leaving Geoffrey with two sons to bring up and this he did with the help of a governess Joan Arnull who he married in 1935. G. Smith also wrote several books with subjects being: Frederick Royce, Aeronautical Theory & practice, Modern Diesel engines & also Gas Turbines.

By 1937 B100GA was with the Hon. John H. Hare the 1st Viscount Blakenham, his wife was the Hon Nancy Pearson daughter of 2nd Viscount Cowdray and grand-daughter of Lord Edward Spencer Churchill with infinite connections to the Spencer Churchill family tree and of course our current Royal heirs via the Spencer family.  During WWII John Hare served with in Italy with the Suffolk Yeomanry, as a result of his war actions he was awarded the Legion of Honour. 

Just after the end of WWII the Bentley was acquired by Major Hubert Melville Martineau of Philberds, Holyport. The Martineau family came to the UK in the 1700s, family members included master surgeons, politicians, bankers, sugar refiners, political reformists and shippers.  Francis Martineau Lupton was the great-great-grandfather of Catherine, the current Princess of Wales.  Hubert Martineau (1891/1976) was a keen sportsman and hosted matches against New Zealand, Australia, West Indies & India teams at his own private cricket field at Philberds, Holyport.  His other great love was that of the winter sports including sking, skating & bobsledding!  He was the president of the St Mortiz Bob Club.  His private life was also fascinating & complicated – his first wife was Maud Morris Schwab, daughter of Nelson Morris and the ex-wife of Henry Schwab, and when Maud died in 1966 he received the majority of her estate which was in the region of £6m!  In 1969 he remarried a “very pretty young widow” but she has yet to be identified! 

From 1949 to 1963 the car was with John Robert Ferguson (1914/1963) who was a pupil & later a governor of Rydal School which is in North Wales, after his death the car, via various dealers, found its way to Canada with Donald Spiers who owned it  from 1971 until 2001.

1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward ‘Special Touring Saloon’. GNC68

1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward ‘Special Touring Saloon’. GNC68

1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward ‘Special Touring Saloon’. GNC68

Sale Agreed. A very stylish, low-slung and sporting design gives this car appeal over and above that of a typical sports saloon. in sound, sharp and smart condition. Low roof line, narrow windscreen & side windows, stylish wings, P100 headlights, PLG40 centre light, scuttle-mounted spot lamp, twin side-mounted spare wheels, polished aluminium Ace wheel discs, ‘trouser crease’ wings, three fitted suitcases (in pale blue leather, as original), and some lovely art deco styling touches, such as attractive, ebony inlays to the door cappings, period door handle design, and piping to seat backrest, all give the car an extra level of desirability. The interior is in very good order, including the relatively recent pale blue leather. The design is particularly sleek and low, as well as being very nicely proportioned, looking good from any angle. Some say that the car has the appearance of a smaller version of a typical Phantom II Continental. You will see in the photos that there is also some interesting, hallmarked silverware, custom fitted in the seat backs, alongside the picnic tables. Gorgeous design, in lovely condition, driving well, and much admired. Since 1995, the car has benefitted from huge expenditure, totalling over £140,000, all documented in the history file, which also includes various other paperwork, as well as an original handbook. The cherry on the cake is that the car is fitted with overdrive, nicely aiding relaxed cruising. We last sold this car four years ago, and it is now available at a figure even more appealing than it was then, and offering tremendous value for money.

Chassis No. GNC68.

Reg No. ET 6154.

Price £36,500.

GNC68ext28
GNC68ext14
GNC68dash21
GNC68dash24
GNC68dash20
GNC68boot21
GNC68det33
GNC68boot20
GNC68det27
GNC68dash25
GNC68eng20
GNC68det36
GNC68ext8
GNC68det20
GNC68det32
GNC68det35
GNC68det38
GNC68det21
GNC68ext25
GNC68boot23
GNC68det31
GNC68eng25
GNC68ext21
GNC68eng24
GNC68int20
GNC68det24
GNC68eng22
GNC68int23
GNC68ext5
GNC68det37
GNC68eng26
GNC68ext30
GNC68int27
GNC68det28
GNC68int32
GNC68ext29
GNC68ext3
GNC68int24
GNC68ext22
GNC68ext27
GNC68int31
GNC68int21
GNC68ext1
GNC68ext20
GNC68int30
GNC68ext28 GNC68ext14 GNC68dash21 GNC68dash24 GNC68dash20 GNC68boot21 GNC68det33 GNC68boot20 GNC68det27 GNC68dash25 GNC68eng20 GNC68det36 GNC68ext8 GNC68det20 GNC68det32 GNC68det35 GNC68det38 GNC68det21 GNC68ext25 GNC68boot23 GNC68det31 GNC68eng25 GNC68ext21 GNC68eng24 GNC68int20 GNC68det24 GNC68eng22 GNC68int23 GNC68ext5 GNC68det37 GNC68eng26 GNC68ext30 GNC68int27 GNC68det28 GNC68int32 GNC68ext29 GNC68ext3 GNC68int24 GNC68ext22 GNC68ext27 GNC68int31 GNC68int21 GNC68ext1 GNC68ext20 GNC68int30

Snippets: Welsh Steel King, African Sugar Baron & Indian Curries

GNC68 was bought by Sir William Firth as a gift for his wife Lady Helena Adelaide however the ownership was only to be short lived as in April 1935 whilst they were being chauffeured home to Hatchford Park they were involved in a head-on collision with a pair of motorcycles which resulted in the death of two of the riders and injuries to their pillions.   It was reported the Lady Firth suffered concussion and several cracked ribs but Sir William, who was dozing in the back at the time, was unharmed.  The Rolls-Royce (maybe GNC68 or 100Sk or GBJ55) suffered extensive damaged including a broken steering wheel, their chauffeur Francis Edward Jarvis (aged 54) had been employed by the Firths for some 22 years and was unhurt.  Sir William Firth was one of the leading figures in the steel industry & within the business was known as the Steel King.  In 1947 he & Lady Firth joined their sons Kenneth & John in South Africa, the Firth’s bought the home of the Hulett sugar barons renaming it Crowhurst after their old home in Surrey.

From 1935/36 the Rolls-Royce was registered at Bush House in Aldwych, this iconic building is named after the American businessman Irving T Bush whose vision was to create a significant new trade centre. The design of the building was created by American architect Harvey Wiley Corbett, (he also designed Bush Tower in Manhattan) with the opening taking place on the 4th of July, 1925.  At the opening ceremony the pair of male statues was revealed with the inscription “To the friendship of English-speaking peoples”, today we perhaps best know Bush House has having been home to the BBC from the early 1940s to 2012.

In 1936 GNC68 was with Humphry Richard Pelly of Lyndsays Farm, Ingatestone whose wife Barbara (nee Scrutton) bred pedigree Dexter cattle with names such as Lyndsay’s Cherry Pie & Lyndsay’s Lavender.  When Barbara’s father Frederick Scrutton died in 1937 his estate was in excess of £1.8m, his business was that of stevedoring.  It would appear that one of Barbara’s brother’s, Philip Furse Scrutton was a professional golf player & the owner of B495CD, a MK VI of a somewhat unusual  design.

Just 12 months later and GNC68 was acquired by Messrs J. Halford & Son of London producers of curry powder & paste, their adverts stating that if you added a dash of powder or paste to your dish it would be “just as they are prepared in India”.

1969 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic

1969 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic

1969 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic

An essentially correct, undisturbed and sound example, needing attention, particularly cosmetically. The paint is old and shows its age, and there is a repair to the offside front wing (nicely executed), which is still in bare aluminium. However, the underlying structure is very sound, and the car is an ideal candidate for a gentle refurbishment, having already been partly recommissioned mechanically. Running well, but needing attention to electrics, steering and a few other bits & pieces, as well as a new set of tyres. The car has been with one owner for the last thirty years, a good deal of it in storage, hence the need for some attention. Handled suitably, this could be a very worthwhile project, both financially and from a personal satisfaction point of view.

Chassis No. DB/4017/R

Reg No. SJH 113H.

Price £140,000.

Insert here
1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Saloon. SRH40484

1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Saloon. SRH40484

1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Saloon. SRH40484

A very fine example of a late Silver Shadow, in lovely condition throughout, very attractive in Willow gold and Dark Olive, contrasting nicely with the brightwork, and beige leather in excellent condition, as are the carpets, headlining (also leather) and woodwork. The car is nicely sound and sharp, is all correct, as specified when new. This really is a well cared-for example, which still smells as it should inside, and even the boot is spotlessly clean, and includes a full toolkit. There is also a set of lambswool over rugs. Just 76,000 genuine miles from new, confirmed by stamped service book, MoTs, etc, and various invoices in the file. Also comes with handbook, and various booklets, all in the original wallet as delivered. The car was driven a couple of hundred miles to us, and is MoT’d, ready to be driven away again! 

Chassis No. SRH40484.

Reg No. GHV 90W.

Sold.

SRH40484ext2
SRH40484ext5
SRH40484dash8
SRH40484boot5
SRH40484eng4
SRH40484ext11
SRH40484boot4
SRH40484eng5
SRH40484eng1
SRH40484ext10
SRH40484ext9
SRH40484dash4
SRH40484dash2
SRH40484ext16
SRH40484ext15
SRH40484eng2
SRH40484ext1
SRH40484int11
SRH40484eng3
SRH40484ext3
SRH40484ext17
SRH40484int1
SRH40484int4
SRH40484int5
SRH40484ext19
SRH40484int8
SRH40484int7
SRH40484int10
SRH40484boot1
SRH40484boot3
SRH40484ext2 SRH40484ext5 SRH40484dash8 SRH40484boot5 SRH40484eng4 SRH40484ext11 SRH40484boot4 SRH40484eng5 SRH40484eng1 SRH40484ext10 SRH40484ext9 SRH40484dash4 SRH40484dash2 SRH40484ext16 SRH40484ext15 SRH40484eng2 SRH40484ext1 SRH40484int11 SRH40484eng3 SRH40484ext3 SRH40484ext17 SRH40484int1 SRH40484int4 SRH40484int5 SRH40484ext19 SRH40484int8 SRH40484int7 SRH40484int10 SRH40484boot1 SRH40484boot3
1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Park Ward Limousine. GBM38

1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Park Ward Limousine. GBM38

1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Park Ward Limousine. GBM38

A delightfully correct and handsome car, with some appealing touches and an interesting background. Bought in 1964 by John Fasal, author of “The Rolls-Royce Twenty”, this car ‘changed his life’ he says, and was the inspiration for his love of the marque and his future research into Rolls-Royce history, ownership, etc, and indeed his writing of the book itself. John restored the car in the 1960s, and following several years use by the subsequent owner, it was put into storage in the early 1990s. Now re-commissioned, looking lovely, and delightfully matured sixty years after the restoration, the car is now ready for it next life chapter. Features such as divided, opening windscreen, rear-mounted trunk with fitted suitcases, chauffeur communication device, etc, all add to the attraction. The car is equipped with correct, 21” wheels and all nickel brightwork, including the Lucas lamp set, in very good condition. Offered newly MoT tested, ready to go.

Chassis No. GBM38.

Reg No. YX 3905.

Price £32,500.

GBM38ext20
GBM38dash2
GBM38dash1
GBM38dash8
GBM38det5
GBM38det18
GBM38det6
GBM38det11
GBM38ext5
GBM38dash6
GBM38dash3
GBM38det1
GBM38det7
GBM38dash5
GBM38eng9
GBM38eng4
GBM38det8
GBM38det15
GBM38det10
GBM38det13
GBM38ext1
GBM38eng7
GBM38eng6
GBM38ext3
GBM38eng10
GBM38ext6
GBM38ext9
GBM38det9
GBM38ext2
GBM38ext7
GBM38trunk3
GBM38int10
GBM38int4
image001
GBM38int1
GBM38tools2
GBM38int6
GBM38trunk1
GBM38ext11
GBM38eng5
GBM38tools3
GBM38int3
GBM38int7
GBM38tools4
GBM38ext20 GBM38dash2 GBM38dash1 GBM38dash8 GBM38det5 GBM38det18 GBM38det6 GBM38det11 GBM38ext5 GBM38dash6 GBM38dash3 GBM38det1 GBM38det7 GBM38dash5 GBM38eng9 GBM38eng4 GBM38det8 GBM38det15 GBM38det10 GBM38det13 GBM38ext1 GBM38eng7 GBM38eng6 GBM38ext3 GBM38eng10 GBM38ext6 GBM38ext9 GBM38det9 GBM38ext2 GBM38ext7 GBM38trunk3 GBM38int10 GBM38int4 image001 GBM38int1 GBM38tools2 GBM38int6 GBM38trunk1 GBM38ext11 GBM38eng5 GBM38tools3 GBM38int3 GBM38int7 GBM38tools4

Snippets: An Actress, a Countess, a Vet’s wife & a Circuit Judge’s mother

Handwritten on the chassis cards for GBM38 is that it was sold to the actress Miss Maxine Elliott of St John’s Lodge, Abbey Road for Brenda, the Countess of Wilton of Milton Hall, Cambridgeshire. An unusual situation as we haven’t, yet, found any direct links between Maxine & Brenda but perhaps that will come to light.  Miss Elliott 1868/1940 was an American by birth who moved across the Atlantic to England and later settled in France.  Her niece Diana Forbes-Robertson (1915-1987) wrote Maxine’s biography which portrays her as being a great beauty & actress whose social life included George Keppel, JP Morgan & the Churchills, with a personal life that was both scandalous and tragic.  The 2nd lady on the chassis cards being Brenda, Countess of Wilton was a twin daughter of Sir William Petersen (shipping entrepreneur) & in 1929 was the widow of Seymour Edward Frederic Egerton, the 6th Earl of Wilton, he died in 1927 aged just 31.  Three years later in 1930 the Countess herself died (after an operation), she was only 35 and left behind two children – a 9-year-old son Seymour (7th Earl) and a daughter of 11 years old. It would appear that the 6th Earl was noted as being a philanderer – in 1920 he was cited in the divorce of Col & Mrs Ross Hume but as the 7th Earl was born 10 months after this event the Countess must have forgiven him! However, this was neither the first nor last of the 6th Earl’s liaisons – the Countess later sued for divorce – but at the time of his death in 1927 a decree absolute had not been issued. In June 1930 Christie’s Auction house held a major jewellery sale the majority of the items were from the estate of the late Countess.   The Wilton family are direct descendants of the Norman lord Gilbert le Grosveneur (1139/99) and share a bloodline with the families of the Greys, Egerton’s & the Grosvenor’s (Duke of Westminster).  The 3rd named lady on the chassis cards is Mrs. J.G. Runciman of Cambridge – this is is Edith May White a pork butcher’s daughter and wife of James Graeme Runciman a vet and breeder of Bower Winalot, the champion stallion Shire of the 1939 London Show.  The 4th lady shown on the chassis cards is that of Mrs Dulcie Marian Bevington of Gallowbrook House in St. Neots.  Dulcie was originally from Rhyl as was her husband Michael whose father Ernest had an established dental practice on St Asaph Road in Rhyl.  Dulcie & Michael’s daughter Christian Veronica became a lawyer (like Michael) and was appointed a Circuit Judge in 1998.

1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon. SDB134

1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon. SDB134

1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon. SDB134

Sale Agreed. A smart example, in Shell grey and Tudor grey, with excellent re-upholstered interior in blue/grey with blue piping. The car spent the first twenty plus years in the dry climate of Kenya. There has been a great deal of good quality expenditure on the car in recent times, including stainless steel exhaust, new fuel tank, brake drums, radiator, tyres, etc, etc, as well as the previously mentioned upholstery, all documented, and amounts to £48,000 spent over the last five years. Also in the history file are a green logbook from the seventies, a great deal of correspondence over several decades, photos of restoration work, a handbook, manuals, etc, etc. The car featured in “Original Rolls-Royce & Bentley” by James Taylor, as shown in the photos below. Driving very well, and offered newly serviced, prepared and freshly MoT tested.

Chassis No. SDB134.

Reg No. KBH 585.

Price £35,000.

SDB134ext23
SDB134det10
Book2
Book1
SDB134dash6
SDB134dash2
SDB134dash7
SDB134dash3
SDB134eng4
SDB134ext2
SDB134eng10
SDB134eng9
SDB134det3
SDB134det9
SDB134det6
SDB134eng8
SDB134ext11
SDB134det1
SDB134ext3
SDB134eng1
SDB134ext9
SDB134dash9
SDB134eng5
SDB134eng11
SDB134ext5
SDB134ext18
SDB134ext23
SDB134ext17
SDB134ext12
SDB134int7
SDB134tools1
SDB134ext19
SDB134int13
SDB134int4
SDB134int3
SDB134tools3
SDB134int10
SDB134papers5
SDB134int11
SDB134papers4
SDB134ext1
SDB134papers2
SDB134tools6
SDB134papers3
SDB134int2
SDB134int12
SDB134papers1
SDB134int6
SDB134papers6
SDB134dash10
SDB134ext23 SDB134det10 Book2 Book1 SDB134dash6 SDB134dash2 SDB134dash7 SDB134dash3 SDB134eng4 SDB134ext2 SDB134eng10 SDB134eng9 SDB134det3 SDB134det9 SDB134det6 SDB134eng8 SDB134ext11 SDB134det1 SDB134ext3 SDB134eng1 SDB134ext9 SDB134dash9 SDB134eng5 SDB134eng11 SDB134ext5 SDB134ext18 SDB134ext23 SDB134ext17 SDB134ext12 SDB134int7 SDB134tools1 SDB134ext19 SDB134int13 SDB134int4 SDB134int3 SDB134tools3 SDB134int10 SDB134papers5 SDB134int11 SDB134papers4 SDB134ext1 SDB134papers2 SDB134tools6 SDB134papers3 SDB134int2 SDB134int12 SDB134papers1 SDB134int6 SDB134papers6 SDB134dash10

Snippets: The Almost Royal Car.

During the Silver Dawn’s time in Kenya it was an almost Royal car, it was available for use by Princess Elizabeth & Prince Philip whilst they were on tour in Kenya but the Royal couple had to cut short their visit due to the death of her father.  The other members of the royal family that almost sat in the car included Princess Margaret & the Queen Mother but we do have a video in which SDB134 can be seen in the background when Prince Philip visited on his own, on this occasion he used a Phantom II (82OR) as the royal car!  Other dignitaries who, we are told, used the car include Jomo Kenyatta & Haile Selassie!

The first owner of SDB134 was Francis D H Welldon who was born in Sri Lanka and was first noted as being in Kenya in 1925 where his profession was given as a coffee planter in the Thika area.  Later owners included W. H. Martin a successful business man and chairman of Raleigh Industries, he was well known in Nairobi and was regularly seen as at the New Stanley Hotel where he was known as “Martini”!  He also, according to his niece, owned a parrot who could imitate the sound of the soda syphon which Martini used to calm his sundowner!!

In 1970 SDB134 was bought by Dermot Kydd, who was awarded an OBE for his services to agriculture in Kenya, he used his knowledge of East Africa write The Konisgberg Assignment which is set in the Rufiji delta on the Tanzania coastline.  We have managed to find a copy of this rare book and it will be with the car.

1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward D back Six Light Saloon/Limousine. GFT22

1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward D back Six Light Saloon/Limousine. GFT22

1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward D back Six Light Saloon/Limousine. GFT22

A delightful car, sound, nicely proportioned and all correct, with excellent door fits – closing with a satisfying ‘clunk’. It has been with the last owner for 36 years since 1988 when he bought it from us – a significant proportion of its life so far! It has been well cared for and retains gorgeous, original, soft brown leather upholstery, complemented by excellent headlining and carpets, and a large sliding sunroof to the front. Although built as a six light saloon, at some point a division has been fitted, making it more like a limousine, but done in such a way that it can be relatively easily removed if desired. Unlike some limousines, the driving position is quite generous, rather than being tight as some are. Comes with an excellent tool kit, including jack, wheel spanner, hammer, etc in their clips in the engine bay, some extra spares, a large history file, which includes early buff and green logbooks, lots of invoices, various books, and is all-in-all a lovely car, with early characteristics adding to its appeal. Running and driving well, very nicely re-wired in correct, cotton-covered cable, fitted with a stainless steel exhaust system, and offered serviced and newly MoT tested. Nicely rounded off with a wicker basket on the rear! With the significant price reduction, the car now represents particularly good value.

Chassis No. GFT22

Reg No. GX 8290

Price £25,000

GFT22dash4
GFT22eng11
GFT22ext4
GFT22eng9
GFT22det11
GFT22eng12
GFT22extras2
GFT22ext11
GFT22eng14
GFT22dash1
GFT22det8
GFT22int1
GFT22ext6
GFT22det4
GFT22dash9
GFT22dash5
GFT22ext9
GFT22det14
GFT22extras3
GFT22dash3
GFT22eng13
GFT22ext5
GFT22det6
GFT22ext3
GFT22eng16
GFT22det15
GFT22eng5
GFT22tools2
GFT22tools1
GFT22int9
GFT22int3
GFT22int4
GFT22int8
GFT22int11
GFT22int5
GFT22dash4 GFT22eng11 GFT22ext4 GFT22eng9 GFT22det11 GFT22eng12 GFT22extras2 GFT22ext11 GFT22eng14 GFT22dash1 GFT22det8 GFT22int1 GFT22ext6 GFT22det4 GFT22dash9 GFT22dash5 GFT22ext9 GFT22det14 GFT22extras3 GFT22dash3 GFT22eng13 GFT22ext5 GFT22det6 GFT22ext3 GFT22eng16 GFT22det15 GFT22eng5 GFT22tools2 GFT22tools1 GFT22int9 GFT22int3 GFT22int4 GFT22int8 GFT22int11 GFT22int5

Snippets: An Accountant & an Average Adjuster

James Barclay Peat (1880/1965) took delivery of GFT22 at Park End Ormsby and a few months later registered the car at Wykeham Place in Totteridge. J. B. Peat was a son of Sir William Barclay Peat (the Barclay was the maiden name of Sir William’s mother Margeret) and his siblings included Harry (accountant & also for the Ministry of Food in WWI & WII), Charles (MP, accountant, cricketer and recipient of the M.C.), Roderick (accountant & recipient in WWI of French Legion d’Honneur, Belgium Order of the Crown & Luxemburg Order of the Oak Crown, Margaret (married to the artist H. A. Olivier – the uncle of Lawrence Olivier) and Edith who died in 1899 aged just 24. James B. Peat himself was also an accountant and in 1905 he wed Lucy Birds Slater whose father – the timber importer John Slater – at the time he owned Ty Craig in Llantysilio (a previous owner – Exuperius Pickering – built a canal wharf by the house). When Lucy & James married the house was “profusely decorated” & cannons were “fired at intervals” prior to them going to Germany for their honeymoon. By 1935 GFT22 was back on the market & acquired by Charles Barry Cooper of Darley Dene in Addlestone. This magnificent house, originally called “Tudor House”, was built circa 1855 & demolished in 1960. C. B Cooper (1887/1949) was an “Average Adjuster”, which is a specialist in marine & engineering insurance claims (as was his father Charles Cooper (1856/1940). In 1933 the family firm of Charles Cooper & Sons became members of the Baltic Exchange and in 1944 CB Cooper was elected Chairman of the Ass. of Average Adjusters. After his death in 1949 the Rolls-Royce was bought by Godwin Southon who regularly entered the Ripley Run – he was a known & respected collector of cycling machines & his museum included items such an 1810 invalid chair, 1886 Humber and an 1877 Salvo Quadricycle which was patented by the Englishman Starley in September 1877. Godwin owned GFT22 until his death in 1965 when it was inherited and sold on by Mrs. J. Richardson.

1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Saloon. GTR12

1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Saloon. GTR12

1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Saloon. GTR12

Sale Agreed. An early 20/25, with a slightly later body, handsome and well-balanced in design. Although running well, and benefitting from recent attention, the car will need re-commissioning and repair work before being used, including attention to the cylinder head, some electrical work, and various other items attending to. Work already carried out includes refurbished wheels, new tyres, stainless steel exhaust system, some new upholstery, etc, and we understand that the engine has received some attention. Work to do, but priced accordingly.

Chassis No. GTR12.

Reg No. GK 8270.

Price £15,500.

GTR12dash2
GTR12boot1
GTR12eng3
GTR12ext13
GTR12dash1
GTR12eng8
GTR12eng7
GTR12boot2
GTR12ext8
GTR12eng4
GTR12det6
GTR12int2
GTR12int7
GTR12ext2
GTR12dash8
GTR12det7
GTR12ext9
GTR12ext21
GTR12dash9
GTR12dash7
GTR12ext1
GTR12int6
GTR12int3
GTR12ext3
GTR12ext6
GTR12ext7
GTR12det2
GTR12ext4
GTR12ext17
GTR12eng6
GTR12dash2 GTR12boot1 GTR12eng3 GTR12ext13 GTR12dash1 GTR12eng8 GTR12eng7 GTR12boot2 GTR12ext8 GTR12eng4 GTR12det6 GTR12int2 GTR12int7 GTR12ext2 GTR12dash8 GTR12det7 GTR12ext9 GTR12ext21 GTR12dash9 GTR12dash7 GTR12ext1 GTR12int6 GTR12int3 GTR12ext3 GTR12ext6 GTR12ext7 GTR12det2 GTR12ext4 GTR12ext17 GTR12eng6
Snippets: F. J. Steel 

Frederick James Steel of the Kestrels in Stroud took delivery of GTR12 in April 1931 and in 1938 he traded it & his 20/25 Drophead Coupe GNC31 for a new Barker bodied 20/25, namely GZR18.  During WWI Frederick & Mary’s only son Norman served with the 1/5th Gloucester Regt in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was killed whilst leading his platoon into battle at Passchendaele. In honour of Norman his parents later erected a memorial window in the Lady Chapel at Rodborough Church.  In 1926 Frederick’s brother Harry (a garage proprietor) provided the limousine for Edward, the dashing young Prince of Wales (Duke of Windsor) on his visit to Cheltenham when he inspected a schools cadet camp!  Frederick Steel was noted as being the director of the firm Frederick Steel & Co with premises at Lightpill Mills of Stroud & also Ebley Mills.  The firm had a reputation for being fine colour & general printers and their products included accounting books and stationery.  Like his brother, Frederick was a keen motorist and there is a record from 1921 of him being fined for leaving a motor-car on the highway without any lights and again in 1924 for dangerous driving!  1938 saw GTR12 being acquired by Messrs Slaters (Wigan) Ltd who were specialists in supplying tailor made surgical belts & trusses.  The company was stated by Thomas Slater in the later 1800s & in 1908 he was joined by his son Frank soon after he passed his final pharmaceutical exam in Edinburgh.  Their adverts boasted that the company was “devoted exclusively to the Accurate Fitting of all kinds of Surgical Appliances, thus assuring the utmost privacy and efficiency”. 

1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Thrupp & Maberly Limousine. GRM2

1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Thrupp & Maberly Limousine. GRM2

1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Thrupp & Maberly Limousine. GRM2

Sale Agreed. A very smart limousine, ideally suited to wedding hire use, and at the same time better than many others on offer, but also a good, spacious clean and tidy car for family fun. The car is sound in wind and limb, and the doors fit well, with no sign of ‘drop’, or movement. Paintwork is very presentable, with a deep shine, accompanied by impressive chrome plating, including the correct and attractive array of Lucas lamps (including rare and desirable QK596 headlights) and long-trumpet horns. The interior is also lovely, particularly the rear compartment of soft, high quality beige leather, excellent carpets, etc, all being fresh, correct and smart. Light and spacious inside. Mechanically, the car is all good, the engine has correct, even compressions, driving nicely, and offered MoT tested.

Chassis No. GRM2.

Reg No. DLG 541.

Price £29,500.

GRM2ext2
GRM2dash1
GRM2ext14
GRM2dash3
GRM2det2
GRM2det4
GRM2det1
GRM2eng15
GRM2dash4
GRM2ext3
GRM2ext10
GRM2eng11
GRM2det3
GRM2int2
GRM2int7
GRM2int6
GRM2eng10
GRM2int4
GRM2eng16
GRM2ext8
GRM2eng18
GRM2eng12
GRM2ext20
GRM2ext26
GRM2ext21
GRM2ext18
GRM2int5
GRM2int9
GRM2ext24
GRM2ext22
GRM2int11
GRM2int10
GRM2ext2 GRM2dash1 GRM2ext14 GRM2dash3 GRM2det2 GRM2det4 GRM2det1 GRM2eng15 GRM2dash4 GRM2ext3 GRM2ext10 GRM2eng11 GRM2det3 GRM2int2 GRM2int7 GRM2int6 GRM2eng10 GRM2int4 GRM2eng16 GRM2ext8 GRM2eng18 GRM2eng12 GRM2ext20 GRM2ext26 GRM2ext21 GRM2ext18 GRM2int5 GRM2int9 GRM2ext24 GRM2ext22 GRM2int11 GRM2int10

Snippets: Mysterious Mrs Clark

Mrs Clark registered GRM2 at Heath Bank on South Downs Road in Ashley Heath.  There has been a building on this site since the late 1900s which is when the building of grand detached villa houses started to take place primarily for the wealthy mill and mine owners of the area.  Very little has been found regarding Mrs Clark – but we do know that in 1958 the Clark family advertised for a gardener!  During the 1980s GRM2 was with James P. Moran (1934/2023) of Youngstown, New York who was a “Forms Control Manager” for Moore Business Forms & Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel. His wife Pat coached the youth ice hockey team for the Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association.  In 1989 Pat & James retired and relocated to Carolina Beach which necessitated them selling GRM2 which was acquired by ourselves! After re-importation the 25/30 was acquired by E. H. Whitfield (minerals for pottery) of Crewe so the car ended up just 27 miles from its first British location – a small world indeed.

1968 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic

1968 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic

1968 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic

Sale Agreed. An exceptionally sound example, just out of long-term storage of something like 30 years. Prior to that, in 1984, the car underwent a full engine overhaul and much more besides at the Aston Martin factory, all documented with invoices in the large file which accompanies the car. It would seem that only about 1,000 miles have been covered since!  The aforementioned file also includes a great deal of correspondence, invoices, a magazine feature on the car from the 1980s, a handbook and much more. The car is to factory specification, including ‘Coolaire’ air conditioning, power steering, chrome wire wheels and heated rear screen, all confirmed by the factory build sheet. Although paintwork and cosmetics generally could do with attention, the car is remarkably correct, very sound structurally both in terms of body and the underside, with none of the rust issues that can affect these cars. Having been asleep for a long period, a good deal of recommissioning work was required. This we have carried out, work which included a decoke, cleaning of the fuel tank, fuel lines and rebuilding of the carburettors, attention to the braking system, five new tyres and tubes, new battery, as well as a full service and more besides. The car is now running and driving very nicely, and is MoT tested until April 2026.

Chassis No. DB6/3500RC

Reg No. UNH 63G

Price £155,000.

Aston3500dash1
Aston3500dash6
Aston3500boot1
Aston3500dash4
Aston3500eng7
Aston3500ext14
Aston3500int9
Aston3500eng1
Aston3500ext26
Aston3500ext9
Aston3500eng2
Aston3500ext3
Aston3500ext11
Aston3500ext31
Aston3500ext7
Aston3500dash8
Aston3500int6
Aston3500ext1
Aston3500ext6
Aston3500int1
Aston3500ext29
Aston3500int3
Aston3500ext33a
Aston3500int7
Aston3500eng5
Aston3500ext2
Aston3500dash1 Aston3500dash6 Aston3500boot1 Aston3500dash4 Aston3500eng7 Aston3500ext14 Aston3500int9 Aston3500eng1 Aston3500ext26 Aston3500ext9 Aston3500eng2 Aston3500ext3 Aston3500ext11 Aston3500ext31 Aston3500ext7 Aston3500dash8 Aston3500int6 Aston3500ext1 Aston3500ext6 Aston3500int1 Aston3500ext29 Aston3500int3 Aston3500ext33a Aston3500int7 Aston3500eng5 Aston3500ext2

Snippets:

Gerry Marshall – Racing Driver.

The first owner of this DB6 was the mysterious Mrs Rose Hill who appeared to have kept the car until the 1980s when it is next registered with Gerry Marshall (1941/2005) of Tring – a British racing driver.  His first victory was in 1963 driving a Mini and his last (600th race win) was in 2000 at Snetterton driving an Aston Martin DB4!  In 1978 Gerry published his first biography “Only here for the beer” – he used to write about club events for Autosport using his name and his wife’s maiden name of Maynard! 
He kept the original registration number of 666 DTV as he used to race for the Dealer Team Vauxhall driving the Firenzas known as “Old Nail”, “Baby Bertha” & the Ventora “Big Bertha”.  In 1982 the car was MoT’d at the Tourist Trophy Garage which was owned by the Mike Hawthorn family.  In 1983 whilst owned by John “Ian” MacLaren whose family originated from Auchterarder in Scotland the Aston was featured in the Automobile Quarterly prior to it being shipped to Japan with Dr. Katirai a Homeopathic doctor who was fluent in 5 languages.

1953 Bentley R-Type-Based V8-engined, Automatic Special

1953 Bentley R-Type-Based V8-engined, Automatic Special

1953 Bentley R-Type-Based V8-engined, Automatic Special

Sale Agreed. A very well built special, with an all aluminium body, excellent panel work and high quality paintwork. Stylish  and sporty in design, with a purposeful look! Excitingly, the car is fitted with a 6250cc V8 engine from a Bentley S2 which – combined with the lightweight body, make for exhilarating performance. The automatic transmission makes the car easy to drive without taking away the performance and fun aspect. Nicely finished in British Racing Green with green leather, and equipped with a hood, tonneau cover, and aero screens. Wolfrace wheels and radial tyres make for better handling that cross plies as originally fitted to R Types, but then again, it is not like a standard car at all! Looks, fun and usability in a compact package.

If you watch the video below to the end, you will see links to two more: One ‘walkaround’, and one of the engine. Worth seeing!

Chassis No. B63UL.

Reg No. NYP 315.

Price £47,500.

B63ULdash3
B63ULdash2
B63ULboot2
B63ULext6
B63ULeng6
B63ULext1
B63ULdash1
B63ULext11
B63ULdet1
B63ULeng3
B63ULeng12
B63ULeng1
B63ULdash5
B63ULeng2
B63ULdet4
B63ULdet2
B63ULeng10
B63ULext10
B63ULdet6
B63ULext17
B63ULext9
B63ULext14
B63ULext4
B63ULint1
B63ULext12
B63ULroof5
B63ULext16
B63ULroof3
B63ULint3
B63ULroof6
B63ULscreens5
B63ULroof8
B63ULdet5
B63ULscreens8
B63ULscreens1
B63ULint2
B63ULroof13
B63ULroof1
B63ULscreens13
B63ULext5
B63ULroof9
B63ULscreens16
B63ULdash3 B63ULdash2 B63ULboot2 B63ULext6 B63ULeng6 B63ULext1 B63ULdash1 B63ULext11 B63ULdet1 B63ULeng3 B63ULeng12 B63ULeng1 B63ULdash5 B63ULeng2 B63ULdet4 B63ULdet2 B63ULeng10 B63ULext10 B63ULdet6 B63ULext17 B63ULext9 B63ULext14 B63ULext4 B63ULint1 B63ULext12 B63ULroof5 B63ULext16 B63ULroof3 B63ULint3 B63ULroof6 B63ULscreens5 B63ULroof8 B63ULdet5 B63ULscreens8 B63ULscreens1 B63ULint2 B63ULroof13 B63ULroof1 B63ULscreens13 B63ULext5 B63ULroof9 B63ULscreens16

Snippets:

Not much information on this one, can anyone help Sue to fill this space? 

1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 H.J.Mulliner Two Door Fixed Head Coupe. GLZ59

1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 H.J.Mulliner Two Door Fixed Head Coupe. GLZ59

1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 H.J.Mulliner Two Door Fixed Head Coupe. GLZ59

SALE AGREED. An extremely stylish and smart car, well-proportioned and good-looking from any angle. Particularly attractively finished in two shades of green, one of them very dark, with harmonising pale green leather, which we think suits the car very nicely, and it seems that many share this view, based upon the number of admiring comments that we have heard. The car is excellent structurally and mechanically, and drives very well, having been well-cared for over the years, as evidenced by invoices on file for maintenance and repair totalling over £50,000 since 1999, which included an engine overhaul, new cylinder head, re-wiring in correct, cotton-covered cabling, stainless steel exhaust system, and a good deal more besides. Very recently, the clutch has been overhauled. The car is fitted with overdrive for relaxed cruising, which really does make a significant difference to the usability of the car. Well-presented, clean, eye-catching and adorned with features such as an impressive array of correct lamps and horns, including twin pillar-mounted spotlights, louvred bonnet and scuttle, an external sun visor, rear-mounted spare wheel with ‘clam shell’ cover, and other stylish touches. Serviced, MoT tested and ready to go. Lovely!

Chassis No. GLZ59.

Reg No. ALO 243.

Price £68,500.

GLZ59boot1
GLZ59dash9
GLZ59dash4
GLZ59dash5
GLZ59dash7
GLZ59dash6
GLZ59det5
GLZ59ext2
GLZ59eng2
GLZ59det14
GLZ59ext3
GLZ59ext17
GLZ59det7
GLZ59det11
GLZ59ext7
GLZ59ext11
GLZ59ext16
GLZ59det12
GLZ59eng3
GLZ59ext21
GLZ59det13
GLZ59eng4
GLZ59ext19
GLZ59int3
GLZ59ext29
GLZ59int1
GLZ59det10
GLZ59int2
GLZ59eng5
GLZ59eng1
GLZ59ext10
GLZ59int7
GLZ59boot1 GLZ59dash9 GLZ59dash4 GLZ59dash5 GLZ59dash7 GLZ59dash6 GLZ59det5 GLZ59ext2 GLZ59eng2 GLZ59det14 GLZ59ext3 GLZ59ext17 GLZ59det7 GLZ59det11 GLZ59ext7 GLZ59ext11 GLZ59ext16 GLZ59det12 GLZ59eng3 GLZ59ext21 GLZ59det13 GLZ59eng4 GLZ59ext19 GLZ59int3 GLZ59ext29 GLZ59int1 GLZ59det10 GLZ59int2 GLZ59eng5 GLZ59eng1 GLZ59ext10 GLZ59int7

Snippets:

Property & Yachts

In the early 1920s Leo H. P. Meyer (1903/61) alongside Thomas Blackwell founded the building firm Blackwell & Meyer, in 1929 he set up his own company “New Ideal Homestead” & during the 1930s he was acknowledged as being the country’s largest private housebuilder.  In 1933 he & his partner P. Shephard built & sold in excess of 4,000 houses in & around London, this led to their company being floated on the stock exchange & to it being renamed as Ideal Building & Land Development.  Leo was an early car owner and in 1929 he was stopped whilst driving in Kelvedon & upon failing to produce his licence was fined 10/-!  It would appear that he only kept GLZ59 for a few years as by 1935 the car was registered with J. A. Ellert a stockbroker – by 1938 it had been sold to Mrs. Gladys Margaret “Mollie” Reynolds.  Mollie & her husband had several properties – Nr 27 Grosvenor Street in London where in 1925 Mollie was the victim of a daring robbery – she was fast asleep in the ground-floor flat wearing, as was her custom, a pearl & diamond necklace worth (in 1925) some £3,000 when a thief broke in and snatched the necklace from her neck!  The Reynolds’ other property was The Towers in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight which, being a keen sailor and lady commodore, she allowed the West Wight Saling Club to use with “no question of payment arising”.  According to local lore being a keen sailor she had the sides of her dragon painted in different colours so to confuse the opposition, her husband Herbert Reynolds is acknowledged as helping to save the Scows in the 1920s with the design of the West Wight Scow which still exist some 100 years later.  In the 1970s GLZ59 was with Wallace F Smith of Holbury Mill in Romsey which was a water-powered corn mill.

1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Barker “Owen” Sedanca De Ville. GUL41

1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Barker “Owen” Sedanca De Ville. GUL41

1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Barker “Owen” Sedanca De Ville. GUL41

Sale Agreed. This car is a really lovely example, very handsome and well proportioned, being designed by H. R. Owen, through whom the car was sold when new. The same design was also used by Gurney Nutting at the time. Wonderfully sound and very smart cosmetically, with excellent paint, chrome work and appealing brown leather interior. The dashboard, instruments and switching are lovely, as well as the impressive set of lamps, including P100 Lucas headlights. Driving very nicely indeed, with a particularly smooth and quiet engine, following an overhaul in recent years. In addition, a few years ago, a new cylinder head was fitted and the car was re-wired. An overdrive unit is fitted, which is of great benefit for long distance touring, for which the sizeable fitted rear trunk and twin side-mounted spare wheels are also very useful! Complete with a buff logbook from the 1950s, a sales invoice from 1966 and various other documentation, including a sales invoice from 1966, when the car sold for £795! An excellent car, which has been through our hands before, now ready for its next adventure! As well as the main video below, you can see a walk round of the car here; https://youtu.be/AwXceMLB3uk?si=AVJqli5HuaRXzJMI

Chassis No. GUL41.

Reg No. CYU 376.

Price £49,500.

GUL41P100 10
GUL41ext78a
GUL41dash11
GUL41det11
GUL41det13
GUL41int18
GUL41int12
GUL41eng11
GUL41papers2
GUL41int17
GUL41int14
GUL41int10
GUL41int11
GUL41papers1
GUL41eng10
GUL41int16
GUL41dash71
GUL41dash72
GUL41ext76
GUL41eng70
GUL41eng72
GUL41tools70
GUL41eng78
GUL41eng75
GUL41eng73
GUL41ext75
GUL41papers70
GUL41tools71
GUL41tools72
GUL41P100 6
GUL41P100 3
GUL41P100 1
GUL41P100 16
GUL41P100 13
GUL41P100 14
GUL41P100 11
GUL41P100 10 GUL41ext78a GUL41dash11 GUL41det11 GUL41det13 GUL41int18 GUL41int12 GUL41eng11 GUL41papers2 GUL41int17 GUL41int14 GUL41int10 GUL41int11 GUL41papers1 GUL41eng10 GUL41int16 GUL41dash71 GUL41dash72 GUL41ext76 GUL41eng70 GUL41eng72 GUL41tools70 GUL41eng78 GUL41eng75 GUL41eng73 GUL41ext75 GUL41papers70 GUL41tools71 GUL41tools72 GUL41P100 6 GUL41P100 3 GUL41P100 1 GUL41P100 16 GUL41P100 13 GUL41P100 14 GUL41P100 11

Snippets: Cecil Rhodes Dormer

GUL41 was bought by Cecil Rhodes Dormer (1889/1951) – his father Francis Dormer (1854/1928) was an associate of Cecil Rhodes – the pair had met on HMS Teuton in 1875 whilst en route from London to Cape Town.  By 1878 Francis Dormer was the editor of the “Cape Argus” & in 1881 he purchased the publication from Saul Solomon for £6,000 – the funding being provided by Cecil Rhodes who used the Cape Argus as his mouthpiece!  Francis Dormer is accredited with bestowing the name Rhodesia on the area between the Limpopo & the Zambezi as early as 1891 before it was officially adopted in 1897.  Cecil was named after his father’s benefactor – Cecil trained as an accountant & in 1921 he became a partner in Cooper Brothers & Co of London where his clients included Ariel Motors & Marconi Scientific Instrument Co.     After Cecil’s death (1951) GUL41 was acquired by the spinning & mill owning firm of William M Haggas & Son – their involvement in the trade can be traced back to 1786 when James Haggas of Oakworth Hall married Esther Roper, a young widow.  By the 1960s GUL41 was all at sea with D. A. Claxton RN who was stationed at HMS Caledonia – a shore based Royal Navy training establishment on the Rosyth prior to the car being acquired by Andrew Plotzke of Suffolk.