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.

Price £36,500.

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 4^th 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”.

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.

Price £140,000.

Snippets:

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! 

Sold.

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.

Price £32,500.

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.

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.

Price £35,000.

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.

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.

Price £25,000

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.

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.

Price £15,500.

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 1/5^th Gloucester Regt in the rank of 2^nd 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”. 

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.

Price £29,500.

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.

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.

Price £155,000.

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 (600^th 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.

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!

Price £47,500.

Snippets:

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

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!

Price £68,500.

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.

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

Price £49,500.

Snippets: Cecil Rhodes Dormer

An original, right hand drive, UK market car, one of just 480 built, and very sought-after. The car is to original specification, confirmed by the heritage certificate. Fitted with factory overdrive, finished in British Racing green, with Suede green leather and black hood, and still with disc wheels and spats – a refreshing change from some chrome wired updates out there! The whole car is in lovely condition in all respects, benefitting from a great deal of restoration in the 1980s/90s and maintenance work since then amounts to at least £80,000, all documented in the history file. Work included engine overhaul, gearbox overhaul, new aluminium radiator, stainless steel exhaust system, re-wiring, attention to brakes, suspension, paintwork, etc, a new, fully lined hood, and much more besides, all done to a high standard. This file also includes a full ownership list from new, a long run of MoT certificates, the aforementioned heritage certificate, correspondence, and a buff logbook from 1960. There are one or two sensible, practical and unobtrusive modifications, such as converting the cylinder head for running on unleaded fuel, and the fitting of a battery isolator switch. The car looks almost black in some of the photos, but is in fact the correct Jaguar shade of British Racing green. A sharp, correct example in lovely condition throughout, very well maintained, and offered MoT tested until February 2026. Part exchange possibilities welcomed. 

Price £110,000.

Snippets:

A Snapshot of Life

The 1^st owner of RJJ 154 was Dr. David Alexander Gordon Kaye of ‘Elmfield’ 58 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill.  David’s grandfather, Sir Joseph Kaye 1^st Bt. was a director of several companies including Kaye & Stewart Ltd (cloth manufacturers), Gledhill Bros & Co (Woollen manufacturers), LMSR (railway) and Lloyds Bank.  David’s father Sir Henry Kaye fought in WWI with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Royal Flying Corps & was wounded when he crashed his plane whilst landing.  His eldest son Stephen became the 3^rd Bt but as he had no children his brother, David inherited the title becoming the 4^th Bt.  In 1957 David and his young family (2^nd marriage) left the UK and emigrated to Sydney, Australia where his descendants still live.  By 1959 RJJ154 was with John Gamble North of Rules Lodge, Petworth.  John was the great nephew of Colonel John Thomas North (1842/96) better known as “The Nitrate King”, John’s uncle Gamble North joined Colonel North in his Chilean mining exploits.  The 3^rd owner of the XK140 was David Carmont Miller who studied Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge and graduated in 1962 with a B.A.  In 1970 John Howard Dukinfield, Emsworth took over the custodianship of the car & kept it for just a year before it was sold a David Temple of Chalkhouse Green, Reading.  Whilst owning the XK140 David became a director of the motor company Britcar Ltd (1992/97) and when the company was dissolved in 1997 he sold the Jaguar to the next long term owner Philip Parkinson of Newbury.

Sale Agreed. A complete, correct car, which was put into storage in the 1960s, and hardly used since then. There is still a tax disc on the windscreen from 1969!. The car is a mixture of very rough in terms of body condition, and in more recent years has been attended to mechanically. The engine benefitted from a thorough refurbishment by Bentley specialist Tony Fabian, and runs very well, road springs have been attended to, as has the one shot system, wheels are fresh, tyres are recent, the car has been partially rewired, and a good deal more more besides has been completed over the last few years. The car is drivable, sounds good, performs well,  and is overall very promising mechanically, but will certainly need attention before being put into use. The history file includes many invoices, totalling over £20,000, a summary of the work done and parts supplied, together with a logbook from the 1960s. Although the Interior is perhaps better than might be expected, the original leather being surprisingly good, with correct instrumentation, etc, the steel body is very poor, significantly rusty, and needing lots of attention.  Under the bonnet, the engine bay is correct, the engine itself being the original fitted by the factory, and still retains twin original ignition coils, two-piece starting handle, and Dunlop jack in their clips. If restoring the body proves to be unjustified, then the future of this car may well be a re-bodying project, and we feel that the chassis is likely to be an excellent basis for this. Either way, a fascinating proposition, already nicely started, ready for a new owner to provide a new lease of life.

Price £27,000.

Snippets:

Worsted Mills & Shipyards

Joseph Hartley Robinson (1877/1947) was the MD of C. Robinson & Co Ltd, worsted & woollen manufacturers Batley. The company was started by his father Charles circa 1880 alongside James Ingham Nussey & Josias Hancock.  The partnership was dissolved in 1892 but the firm continued with Charles Robinson & James Nussey taking over Victoria Mills & Park Lane Mills.  When Joseph died in 1947 he left an estate of some £136,000 but he had omitted to leave a will!  The chassis cards show that in 1951 B153HM was with Richard Dunston (There are two Richard Dunston but we think this was Snr) who was Chairman of the shipbuilders Richard Dunston (Hessle) Ltd which was started by his grandfather after whom he was named.  Thomas Dunston took over the shipyard in 1902 but he died just 8 years later which is when Richard Jr took over the concern, he was just 20 years old and it must have been quite a challenge.  In 1958 Richard died whilst out walking on Manton Common and his son Richard (known as Michael) took over the company.  The vessels produced by Dunston’s included tugs, barges, Nile steamers, MoD craft and in 1966 the training ship SS Winston Churchill.  During WWII Dunston’s tugs were used to tow the Mulberry Harbours into place on the Normandy beaches, the company laid claim to employing the first women welders!!  

Sale Agreed – A project with a great deal of potential. We understand that this car competed in AMOC race events in the 1980s, claiming a couple of victories, and later was awarded second place in the Lime Rock Concours in 1993. Since then, a restoration of what must have already been a good car has been started, and we have invoices amounting to £56,000 for high quality work carried out in recent times. More is still to be done, but the car is offered at a price to justify this rewarding process. The engine runs well and sounds good, but work will be required to the electrics and other aspects of the car before it can be driven/used. We are currently improving the car, so this situation may change. Five new MWS wire wheels and Pirelli Cinturato tyres, which came with the car are also included in the sale.

Price £69,500

Snippets: A racing Aston

The first owners of LML866 were Girling Ltd who used the car on which to test its disc brakes which Aston Martin would later offer as an option, the second owners were Vandervell Products who manufactured engine bearings. Later owners would include a Birmingham solicitor & a Hampshire publican. During the 1980s the Aston was a regular sight at AMOC events with Ian Montgomery and raced in several St. John Horsfall Meetings – in the 1988 event Ian was placed 12th (out of 15). Ian also raced an Austin Healey & an AC ACE Bristol with his father Bruce Montgomery, the family stable also included a 1934 Talbot AV105BGH. In the early 90s LML866 attended the Lime Rock Concours with Dr. & Mrs. Perlman where it was awarded 2nd place – their son remembers the car as “being a gorgeous gun metal grey with red interior & tan headliner”, the Perlman’s enjoyed their cars and amongst their other cars was a 1949 Aston Martin UMC66 a DB Mk 2 prototype & one of the Aston Martin Works Team.

An extremely pretty car, with some lovely styling touches, delightfully finished in two shades of blue, complemented by harmonising blue leather and fully-lined blue fabric hood, and excellent chrome work, which includes correct P100S headlights and long-trumpet horns. Recent attention by a Lagonda specialist has been of great benefit, and the car is very appealing all round. Correct, sound, smart, driving nicely, re-commissioned, serviced, prepared and MoT tested until January 2026.

Price £87,500

Snippets: A Nautical Car

Little is known about the early life of the LG45 but during the 1960s the car was a “nautical” car spending some 20 years in the Portsmouth area before relocating to Bristol where the restoration took place.

In 1965 the LG45 was sold by E. L. Lynch of Portsmouth to Patrick John Moore of Cowplain – he was a Mechanical Design Engineer who in 1994 was declared bankrupt.  In 1969 Patrick sold the Lagonda to his neighbour Kenneth William Connett.

During WWII K. W. Connett served in the Royal Navy with his home port being Devonport, he was serving as an Able seaman in the communications section on the aircraft carrier HMS Courageous when it was torpedoed by U-29 on the 17^th of Sept 1939 shortly after the declaration of war.  All of the Fairy Swordfish aircraft of 811 & 822 Naval Air Squadron were lost along with 518 souls.

In 1980 the LG45 was discovered in a barn in a shabby state by a Bristol man Alan S. Wyatt who restored the car over some 10 years.

A project with a difference. Work was started on a renovation of this car, but it came to a halt for reasons unknown. Since then, the car has been put back on its wheels in a temporary fashion, and is in running order. Although the engine runs well and sounds good (apart from an exhaust manifold leak) the braking system is dismantled and the car therefore cannot be driven. The coachwork is sound and the leather has a lovely maturity to it, as does the car as a whole. The brakes, dampers and various chassis-related components have been removed, cleaned, partially prepared for restoration, and are with the car, as per the photos. We have invoices for £41,000 spent so far, all of which will assist with the further work now required. Overall, a correct, original car with a lot going for it.

Price £32,500

Snippets: Rear Admiral of the Fleet

Captain Edward Neville Syfret (1889/1972) took delivery of B133LE (he part exchanged a Humber Snipe) whilst he was in command of HMS Ramillies a Revenge-class super-dreadnought battleship in the Home Fleet. Capt. Syfret joined the Royal Navy in 1904, he specialised in gunnery & spent the majority of WWI in the North Sea on the light cruisers Aurora, Centaur & Curacoa. It was noted that prior to WWI he had a reputation as a cricketer and played at Lords on the Navy team for several years against the Army. In Nov 1939 Syfret was made Naval Secretary to the 1st Lord of Admiralty (Winston Churchill) and promoted to Rear-Admiral just two months later. Whilst he was Naval Secretary Syfret was not allowed to hold a sea command, but when Arthur Peters took over the role in June 1941 Syfret immediately returned to sea. His various postings included the Mediterranean, North Russia, Freetown, Capetown, Madagascar & of course the Irish Sea, it has been rumoured he took the car with him on some of his post-war postings, that would have been quite a sight. His WWII actions are recorded by Cmdr K. Edwards in his book “Seven Sailors” which we are fortunate to have a copy of. When he retired in 1948 from being in charge of the home fleet the newspaper cutting of the time shows him being pulled by the staff officers of in B133LE before he left under his own horsepower. He kept B133LE for some 32 years & sold the car in 1970 to J D Sharpe who drove the Bentley in several VSCC driving events held at Enstone Aerodrome in the 1970s – Motorsport reported that in the 1979 event “Sharpe slotted the wrong gear for reverse in Test 1” whoops.

Sale Agreed – A delightfully original, correct example, which we have known for many years – since the 1980s in fact. The car is wonderfully sound and – although looking all black in some of the photos – is actually very handsome in dark green and black paintwork, high quality and smart, but at the same time very appealingly matured, particularly the lovely brown leather. Headlining, carpets and woodwork are all good too, all of the cosmetics harmonising nicely. As well as the patina, the car is also sharp and smart – an unusual combination. Has a large sliding sunroof, external tinted glass sun visor, all correct lamps, front and rear, and a wonderful, original tool kit. Approximately £100,000 has been spent on the car over the last 25 years, documented with invoices. Driving very nicely, and just gorgeous. Looks good, smells good, and by golly it’ll do you good. (Mackeson reference). MoT tested until December 2025.

Price £72,500

Snippets: Bodman

The 1st owner of B59MX was Dr. John Francis Osmond Bodman (1903/62) of 105 Harley Street – he came from a family of doctors who had consulting rooms in Bristol & Harley Street. Relatives of J. F. O. Bodman included Francis Henry Bodman (1844/1933) who converted from orthodox medicine to that of Homeopathy and wrote several books on the matter. John Bodman’s father Christopher Osmond Bodman (1878/1950) was a homeopathic doctor and John’s uncles were all in the medical profession with Frank (an Anaesthetist) Alan, Paul & John not forgetting John’s grandfather Francis Hervey Bodman (1900/80).

The early part of Dr. J. F. O. Bodman’s career was spent with the Indian Medical Service – he had charge of laboratories in Quetta, Karachi, Bareilly, Peshawar, Razmak, Secunderabed & the Deccan! During his time there he dealt with outbreaks of plague, cholera & typhus. After India he took up placements in Germany, Holland and during WWII he was stationed in Bristol. From the chassis cards it appears that B59MX was sold in October 1940 to Oldhill Motors in Staffordshire for the sum of £1,525.00. In May 1945 B59MX was registered to the company of A W Swann & Co – the company was founded in 1918 by Arthur William Swann whose sons Archibald Wesley (1895/1980) & Arthur Wilfred Swann (1894/1946), after their demob from the Army joined him in the family Hosiery firm.

The 3 were collectively known as the 3 Swans! In the 1920s Swann’s produced just 20 varieties of ladies’ knickers but by 1932 they produced over 150 types with styles being made from knit, plain, fleecy & other fabrics and of course in many colours & sizes.

After a few month B59MX was sold via Jack Barclay’s to Reginald Joseph Stephen Bower of Woldingham, during WWI R. Bower had served with the Royal Fusiliers, his peace time occupation was that of an electrical engineer.

Price: Sold.

Snippets: Motorcycles, Mills & Fruit Markets

Sale Agreed. A particularly sound and correct example of a desirable & rare drophead, restored in the 1970s to an award winning standard. In fact, amongst other prizes, B4HR won several awards at Pebble Beach, including 1st place in class in 1978. When new, the car was displayed at the Earls Court Motor Show, before being delivered to its first owner in Gibraltar, later going to the USA and later still to France. Forty six years after the restoration, thirty two of which were with one owner, the car is still in very good order, running and driving very pleasantly, excellent structurally, including doors which close with a satisfying ‘click’ with no up & down movement and a rust-free chassis and underside, due no doubt to the warm dry climates the car has lived in at various stages of its life. Cosmetically, the paint is showing its age and lifting in places, but still mostly presentable, the leather is original, in very good condition with no rips or tears, the woodwork is attractive and the hood & lining are excellent. Looking very handsome in two shades of green with tan leather and a beige power hood. The car is fitted both with original trafficators and flashing indicators, which are incorporated into the existing side and tail lights – very neat. There are even colour co-ordinated inertia reel seat belts fitted, and radial ply tyres to which the car is well suited. Wholesome and appealing, a desirable car and good value for money, offered serviced, performing very nicely, and offered newly MoT tested.

Price £79,500 – Sale Agreed.

Snippets: Cars & Owners with Awards

The first owner of B4HR was Douglas Lee Hunter MC OBE, he was awarded the Military Cross in July 1944 in recognition of “his gallant & distinguished services in Burma” and in 1945 he was awarded a 2nd Military Cross as a Bar – in February 1945 Hunter had been dropped by parachute into Perak, Malaysia from where he gathered intelligence on behalf of Army Command, Hunter was, according to Boris Hembry author of “Malayan Spymaster” “ruthless, cold & calculating”.

During the late 1950s / late 1960s B4HR was with the 16th Earl of Winchelsea – his relations include the Drexels (US Banking), Vanderbilts (Railroads & Banking) and his uncle Denys Finch-Hatton – the inspiration for the film “Out of Africa” starring Robert Redford & Meryl Streep. In 1964 B4HR was registered to Bernard Hatfield who was the Earl’s father-in-law.

By the 1980s B4HR was in America with Robert Emery Wanless – in 1954 Capt R. E. Wanless was the Chief Pilot on the inaugural flight of the new PanAm “Stratocruiser” which flew for 4 hours over the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley before returning to New York over Washington and Baltimore. After retirement Robert Wanless indulged in his passion for classic cars and he entered B4HR 4 times into the Pebble Beach Concours, in 1978 his efforts were rewarded with 1st place. The car had previously been placed 2nd & 3rd in this event. Robert’s father was Sir William James Wanless who became a surgeon and in 1889 he emigrated to India where he remained for 40 years. His patients included commoners, princes, rajahs and Mahatma Ghandi – today there is a modern teaching hospital in Miraj named the Wanless Hospital.

A very smart example which, according to the factory records, was painted in ‘Gulf blue’ and ‘Grecian grey’, and seemingly still the case – a combination which, with the light blue leather and dark blue carpets – suits the car very well in our opinion. Paintwork, chrome plating, leather, headlining and interior veneers are all excellent, and the engine bay is spotless, virtually to show standards! The boot still has its original black matting, in good condition, which helps to tell a story of the life the car has led. The underside is clean and sound. History file includes various invoices, receipts, etc, dating from the 1970s to 2024, a green logbook, and an MoT certificate from 1974. The car is well presented, running and driving nicely, is fitted with seat belts to the front, and is to be offered fully serviced and newly MoT tested. A good-looking car, in a tasteful colour scheme.

Price £37,500

Snippets: Textiles

Norman Illingworth, a scion of the Holden & Illingworth mill owning families of Bradford took delivery of B122CK shortly before his 50th birthday, perhaps the S1 was an early gift to himself? In the mid 1800s 2 of the Holden sons and 1 Holden daughter married into the Illingworth family creating a unique bond that continued in business until the mid-1900s.

When Marion Holden the matriarch of the family died in 1847 her widower remarried, this time into the Sugden family who also owned a mill in nearby Keighley. The Holden / Illingworth families had factories in France (St. Dennis, Reims & Croix) and England (Penny Oaks, Bradford) – with their business partner Samuel Lister they developed a square motion combing machine (Lister held the patent) which ensured that they dominated the market in the production of combed wool to the extent that by 1867 they were largest wool combers in the world! The wealth generated by the production of this wool enabled the extended families to buy, build & renovate grand houses such as Lady Royd Hall, Oakworth House, Daisy Bank & Nun Appleton Hall.

In the 1930s Norman Illingworth joined the family concern which by now formed part of the Tootal Broadhurst & Lee consortium & in 1957 he was on the board of the parent company and the lesser known Aerlan Ltd. & Lantor Ltd – in 1958 he sailed from Southampton to Cape Town to inspect the firm’s overseas operations and the following year he sailed to New York. The chassis cards show that in 1962 the Bentley was no longer used by Norman and was with a Mr. Moody of Vernons Pools in Aintree

Sale Agreed. An absolutely delightful, sweet car, beautifully designed and in excellent condition all round. A major restoration in the 2000s still gives the car a fresh feel, and the standard of the work and attention to detail is just fabulous. Paintwork, nickel plating, and upholstery are all lovely, correct and ‘just right’, as is the car as a whole. The engine bay is presented just as we like to see them, with all the right equipment and finishes, clean and tidy, but not over restored as is sometimes the case. Equipped with correct 23” split-rim wheels, divided windscreen, lovely set of lamps, including a scuttle-mounted spotlight and an excellent fitted tool kit. As you may have gathered from this description, we like this car very much! We sold it in 1994, prior to its restoration, at that time in bare aluminium, but greatly admired then as well. When new, the car was painted in ‘Majestic blue’, with black wings and dark red leather interior, a colour scheme which seems to have been recreated during the restoration. Offered serviced, prepared and newly MoT tested.

Price: Sale Agreed.

Snippets: Road Racing and Yacht Racing

Sale Agreed. A very stylish car, smart and attractive –  a real eye-catcher, sporting P100 headlights, rear-mounted trunk and spare wheel with ‘clam shell’ cover and quarter bumpers. The car has a lot going for it, and to many, is the ultimate coachwork design for a 20/25 chassis. Although running and driving (as you can see in the video below)it is in need of some mechanical attention due to an engine noise, and is therefore priced accordingly. Having said that, the compressions are good, the car has been rewired in cloth-covered cable, has a stainless steel exhaust system, and in all other ways has been given a clean bill of health. So TLC is needed, but the work should be well and truly justified, both from the point of view of the satisfaction it would bring about and in all probability financially as well.

Price £ 49,500

Snippets: Murray of Pirnie Hall

Robert Alexander Murray (1862/1937) took delivery of GTZ8 at his family home of Pirniehall, Drymen in Dumbartonshire. The property had built in 1896 for his father – Sir Alexander Murray and upon his death was inherited by Robert & his wife Katherine and shortly after WWII the house was sold to the Dunbarton Education Dept who converted it into a residential school focusing on outdoor activities. In the Directory of Directions (1927 edition) Robert Murray (chartered accountant with Brown, Fleming & Murray) was listed as a director of 18 companies, including British Celanese Ltd, Ceylon Estates Ltd., Clydesdale Bank, Midland Bank, New Transvaal Chemical Co., New Zealand & Australian Land Co and Waterproofing Co Ltd., Upon his death the terms of his will stated that his widow, Katherine was due an annuity of £7,000 per annum (free of tax) and the lifetime use of Pirniehall together with his other properties. In August 1918 just prior to the end of WWI his only daughter, Katherine, had married Capt. Henry William Bunbury of the Royal Air Force, an earlier ancestor of Capt Bunbury was Sir Henry William Bunbury who was a talented and well-known caricaturist. During the 1940s to the 1990s GTZ8 spent some time with Capt Michael Hollinshead before being acquired by Mel Wilde.

A sound and smart example of the characterful H.J.Mulliner design, which was in many ways ahead of its time, having an appearance more akin to the late fifties, yet with features such as the divided front screen, reminiscent of a slightly earlier period, giving the car a delightful quirkiness! Structurally good, cosmetically smart and mechanically good, running and driving nicely. Finished in an unusual and attractive deep shade of blueish green, with very appealing, original brown leather interior, and nice matching carpets (in the boot too), and very good headlining. Plenty of interior woodwork, which features elegant crossbanding veneers. Driving very well, fitted with flashing indicators (important in modern traffic conditions), Michelin radial tyres, serviced, and offered MoT tested.

Sold.

Snippets: Lime Sand Mortar & Thomas Tilling

The first owner of B22WH was Colin Percival Clarke (1911/88) who alongside Sir Albert Braithwaite and Vernon Wilson became a director of Lime-Sand Mortar Co which was formed in 1939 by Richard Ollendorf & Dr. Ernst Schweitzer. These gentlemen were forced to sell their German companies (Lime and cement) by Nazi decree and as a result emigrated together with their families and set up a ready-mix plant in the UK. The Home Office offered them the option of settling in Wales or on the North East coast which they chose due to the suitable sand. The team of Clarke, Braithwaite & Wilson owed Burnhills Sand & Gravel Company and they leased land to Ollendorf & Schweitzer for their plant. In 1942 the German firm was absorbed by Burnhills & traded under the name of A. Braithwaite & Co Ltd. Many years later the firm is now part of the Thomas Tilling Group which during the 1970s had 70 ready mixed concrete plants in the UK plus others in Europe and South Africa. The Tilling Group can be traced back to 1846 when he started offering a horse bus service, by 1856 this had expanded to bus and general carriage work and in 1860 he supplied and trained horses to haul fire engines in the Peckham area! In 1904 they had 3 Milnes-Daimler 24hp buses and in 1905 they had 20 buses and some 7,000 horses! The 2nd owner of B22WH was John Buckle whose family had interests in dyeworks in Bradford

Sale Agreed. A very pretty, early, short wheelbase 20/25 which could be described as a Doctor’s Coupe, but whatever term you use, it is a lovely configuration, very desirable, attractive to the eye, and very nicely proportioned. Having been with one family from 1965 until 2021 – 56 years, two thirds of its life so far, it has been well cared-for, and is nicely correct. Properly re-wired in correct, cotton-covered cable, fitted with overdrive, which is a very worthwhile upgrade in our opinion, and unusually has radial ply tyres – not often seen on these cars. Desirable touches include a very nice set of correct instruments, pillar-mounted spotlight, ‘Gothic’ rear lamps, and original trafficator arms, which work in conjunction with flashing indicators incorporated into the existing lamps (front & rear), all operating from the same switch. The car is smart, sound, running very well, and benefits from a combination of the vintage appeal of a 20hp and the performance of a 20/25. A delightful little car, full of charm and character, and offered, serviced, prepared and can be sold with a new MoT.

Price £ 67,500

Snippets: The Hemery, Strode & Boardman families

John Vincent Hemery (1857/1944) was a scion of an established Jersey family which can be traced back to the 1600s, members included Clement Hemery I (1747/1809) he fought in the Battle of Jersey in 1781; Clement Hemery III (1811/77) diarist and later ADC to HM Queen Victoria; Capt John Hemery (1813/81) commander of the vessel Bengal Merchant which in 1840 took the 1st Scottish colonists to New Zealand. Having attained a B.A. at Trinity College John V. Hemery followed in the family trade as a merchant and in the early 1900s moved to Arnoldfield in Grantham where his pastimes included hunting with the Belvoir alongside the Pagets, the Capels & the Molyneux families. In 1925 Prince Henry the Duke of Gloucester visited the Lincoln Agricultural Show and prior to “entraining for London” he took tea with John Hemery. As John Hemery never married & his estate was left to his niece Anne, Viscountess Plumer. The 2nd owner of GGP35 was Mrs. Ailsie Maud Strode, she had been widowed in 1922 but her personal wealth had been inherited from her mother’s family the Morrisons. The Morrison family had amassed considerable wealth starting with a drapery business founded by James Morrison in the 1800s, (he married the boss’s daughter) rapid expansion took place and before long his empire included warehouses, finance, railways & international trade. In James Morrison’s lifetime he was known as being the richest commoner in England and his biography “A Genius For Money” by Caroline Dakers is astounding, a copy will be with the car. When James died (1857) his estate was distributed amongst his 5 sons & 2 daughters – Lucy Morrison was the maternal grandmother of Mrs Ailsie Strode. In May 1909 Charles (James’s eldest son) died leaving an estate of £10million – a third was inherited by his sister Ellen & when she died just 7 months later her estate of £4million was shared between her nieces & great-nieces including Ailsie Strode. It is not known how long Ailsa kept GGP35 but it may well be (as shown on the chassis cards) until her death in 1961 as the chassis give The Bruce Hotel, Carnoustie as the 3rd keeper. By 1965 GGP35 had found its way to America with Reggie Boardman of Palm Beach, as he was a keen amateur golfer it may be that he visited Carnoustie and saw the car. The extended Boardman family are described as “American Royalty” – their family connections by blood & blood include: Drexel – Banking, Armour – Meat Packing, Spreckles – Sugar, Paul – Law, Astor – Politics and Pulitzer – Publishing. In April 1965 GGP35 was sold to a wealthy neighbour of his who in 1970 sold the car for $1 to her son! The lady owner was none other than a Mrs Jane Will Teagle Boggs Smith, she married 3 times and outlived all of her husbands! Jane was born in 1918 at the time of the Spanish Influenza and in 2021 at the age of 103 was given the Covid 19 innoculation.

A very fine example of a highly specified car, with some lovely features including magnificent ‘sideboard-like’ cabinetry in the rear, which incorporates fold-out tables, slide-away carpeted footrests, a single occasional seat and two cocktail cabinets with a decanter and two types of glasses. All nicely veneered and satin finished. Exhibited at the 1937 Earls Court Motor Show, it was apparently the most expensive car there, at just over £3,000. Excellent condition throughout, very nicely finished in tasteful black and beige, with excellent chrome plating, including a superb set of correct R100 headlights, centre spot light and twin Lucas long trumpet horns. With the car is a fabulous history file, including a great deal of maintenance invoices, correspondence between earlier owners, a complete ownership record, and sufficient for us to be totally comfortable that the mileage showing of 65,000 is genuine. There is also an old buff logbook. Another very impressive aspect of the car is the wonderful fitted toolkit in the boot, which attests to the care received during the life so far of this gorgeous car. Running nicely, serviced, and offered newly MoT tested.

Price £ 78,500

Snippets:

The first owner of 3CP186 was Fred Smith who was the MD of British Ropes Ltd – his 3 brothers were also keen motorists and each had a PIII – Harry with 3BU156, Herbert had 3CM131 & the youngest brother Enos owned 3CP150. The company of British Ropes was formed in 1924 with the merger of 6 wire and 1 fibre rope companies including Bullivant, Craddock, Craven, Haggie, Newall, Tyne & Smith, the oldest of which dates back to the early 1800s. Fred’s family home was Pollard Hall, Gomersal in Yorkshire which was built circa 1659 by Tempest Pollard for his wife Mary. In May 1940 Fred died unexpectedly whilst staying at the Clifton Arms Hotel in Lytham & it is thought that the PIII was laid up during WWII until it was bought by Major Frederick Leslie Laurence of St. Ives – he had recently sold Round Island in Poole Harbour which was owned by his wife Kathleen Iliffe as scion of the newspaper Iliffe family – she had commissioned Sir Edward Maufe to design the modern art deco home on the island. After a short ownership 3CP186 it was next with Captain Arthur Thomas Filmer Wilson-Filmer (a scion of the Ellman-Wilson shipping family), he acquired the 2nd Filmer when his maternal uncle Sir R.M. Filmer died in 1916 and Captain Arthur changed his name by deed-poll in order to inherit the estate of East Sutton Park. In 1927 Captain Filmer and his wife Olivia Paget (sister of Dorothy Paget) purchased Leeds Castle which remained with Olivia when they divorced in 1931. Captain Filmer remarried in 1934 to Lettice Ward, a grand-daughter of the 1st Earl of Dudley, there was a considerable age gap between the pair and the marriage ran its course in 1947 when Captain Filmer applied for a divorce on the grounds of Lettice’s adultery with their race-horse trainer – Captain Alvery Hall-Watt. During WWII the army took over East Sutton Park for war use, it was sold in 1948 and Captain Filmer purchased Rowley Manor in Little Weighton where he remained until his death in 1968. During the 1960s the PIII was owned (privately) by 3 future Lord Mayors of London! Sir Jonathan Denny MC 1965/6, Sir Robert Bellinger 1966/7 and Sir Gilbert Inglefield 1967/8. Sir Denny was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in 1918 during the “Third Battle of Albert” on the Somme during which he captured two machine guns and 10 prisoners as well as obtaining useful information.

Sale Agreed.  A sound, correct and original example which had been with one owner since it was just a few years old, certainly since 1969 and possibly longer. There is a great deal of history covering much of that period, showing various repair and maintenance works carried out during that long ownership, and even including a Jack Barclay service record book covering the sixties and seventies. The car is smartly finished in its original colour scheme of Shell grey and Dawn blue, and although the grey has faded slightly, the blue is particularly lovely, complemented by good chrome work. The interior is attractive, with refurbished blue/grey leather and new carpets, giving the car a nicely freshened feel, together with good woodwork, nice headlining, etc, which all harmonises suitably. All-in-all, a correct and appealing car, just serviced and brakes overhauled. We are hopeful that the original registration number, 525 DXN, can be reinstated, and we would be happy to help with that if you wish. Driving well, and MoT tested until September 2025.

Price £39,500.

Snippets:

Sale Agreed. A delightfully mature and shabby, but sound and characterful, six cylinder vintage tourer. All original in specification, full of charm and running very nicely, with a sweet engine, and some lovely ‘vintage noises’ coming from the gearbox! (see the video). The car comes with considerable history, particularly from the 1960s to the 1990s, including invoices for very useful work done and some interesting correspondence from earlier owners. There are also have MoT certificates going back to 1988 and a correct, original handbook. Use it just as it is – not quite ‘oily rag’, but heading in that direction! Offered newly Mot tested.

• Chassis No. 5668HG

• Reg No. OX 2509

• Price £ 29,500

Snippets:

Sale Agreed. As instructed by the owner, we have very significantly reduced the price of this car. His loss could be your gain! A very early 20/25, one of the first series, and consequently very vintage in character, but at the same time with the extra performance over and above the 20hp, which is enhanced further by the fitting of an overdrive in recent years, creating a nicely relaxed cruising experience on longer runs. Delightful two door, four light body with sunroof and appealing touches such as side window vents, twin-blade quarter bumpers at the rear, quite sporting in appearance, and yet capable of carrying four people in comfort, on the lovely brown leather seating. And it has a boot! Comes with old tax discs, a bundle of MoT certificates and a handbook. The car is sound, running very nicely, and has been enthusiastically maintained and driven by the last owner. Offered serviced, prepared, MoT tested until Sep 2024 and in ideal condition to use and enjoy.

Price £ 49,500

Snippets:

The 1st owner was Edward Jefferson, a member of the Midlands based printing firm of Kenrick-Jefferson who produced office stationary & equipment. Edward & his family lived at The Manor House, Knowle – the history of which has been researched back to 1200 when William de Arden granted the villa to his wife Amice de Traci. In 1284 the Arden family sold the estate to King Edward I & Queen Eleanor, upon her death in 1290 The Manor House was gifted to Westminster Abbey & in 1559 it returned into the hands of the Crown enabling Elizabeth I to gift the property to Robert, Earl of Leicester. The Arden family are one of three families whose lineage can be traced back to 1083 via the male line (the other families being the Berkeleys & the Swintons). From the chassis cards it would seem GXO80 was sold in 1935 to Norman Willis-Dixon, the Dixon family tree can be traced back to the 1700s & having made their mark with their various businesses which included manufacturing Steel, Cutlery, Silverware, Whistles, Gunpowder Flasks, Game Bags, Mills & various engineering firms. Their wealth & standing in their respective communities saw the family own the following: More Hall, Page Hall, Oakfield House, Ashton Hall, Bramley Hall, Birley Hall, Highfield, Stumperlowe Hall & Hillsborough Hall. It is not known how long Norman Willis Dixon kept GXO80 but the log books shows that in 1967 the 20/25 was with Barrie Foster in Bradmore. During the 1970s the car passed through the hands of two respected car dealers – George Rhodes of Biddulph who in 1956 made the shortlist as middle-distance runner for the Melbourne Olympic Games but had to withdraw due to injury; the other being David “Bunty” Scott Moncrieff a “purveyor of horseless-carriages to the nobility and gentry since 1927″. Another interesting location that GXO80 was registered at was “La Mancha” in Halsall which dates from the early 18th century having been built by a Spanish nobleman – he created a formal garden, Japanese garden, sun house, pond and a terrace.

SALE AGREED. A particularly fine example of the ‘Tickford’ cabriolet, a design which features a quick and easy, crank action roof mechanism, providing for one person operation. Even with the roof open, the design offers relatively draught-free, snug accommodation. Some years ago, the car belonged to Mike Berry, well known for his high quality pre-war cars, & is offered in excellent all round condition, with lovely paintwork, and very well-executed Connolly leather interior, and benefiting from an engine overhaul not so long ago. Well appointed with a superb set of lamps & horns, including P100 ‘bullseye’ headlights, PLG40 centre lamp, twin ‘Owleye’ and a lovely triangular rear lamp, etc. Twin side-mounted spare wheels, all with ‘Ace’ discs fitted, all correct under the bonnet, the list goes on! In addition to all of this, the car has recently been fitted with an overdrive unit, further enhancing what was already a lovely car. MoT tested.

Price £65,000.

Snippets: The Man Who Financed The British Government

Harry Marland(1875/1959) was a man of such wealth that not only did he own three houses – Broomholm in Langholm; Hale Carr in Hale and Tusthall House, Tunbridge Wells but in WWII he lent the British Government part of his fortune (free) for the duration of the war! When he purchased GRW52 he initially registered the car at Hale Carr but in 1938 he amended the address to that of Rusthall House. Harry “Lucky” Marland started his working life at 12 earning 5 shillings a week by the age of 21 he had become an assistant advertising manger to a London company. By the early 1910s he had become a director of the Chemical firm E. Griffiths Hughes Ltd and in 1911 he introduced “Kruscehn Salts” to the UK & USA markets. The adverts for Kruschen Salts showed a mature gentleman sliding down a banister and it was always said this was Harry Marland! The company’s other products included Digestif Rennie & Radox Bath Salt, in 1934 the company was floated on the stock market & within 20 years the firm had over 30 subsidiaries and in 1960 they were acquired by Aspro-Nicholas Ltd. When Harry Marland died in 1959 his estate was quoted at in excess of £500,000 which today would be in the region of £10million. The 2nd owner of GRW52 was also a medicine man – Dr Guy Chandler Milner who was a 3rd generation doctor, his grandfather Ralph Milner (1818/82) was a surgeon practised on Oldfield Lane, Salford and was known as “2nd Oldfield Lane Doctor” – the 1st being Dr. E. Taylor after whom Ralph named his son Edmund T. Milner who also studied medicine and became the 3rd Oldfield Lane Doctor! During WWII Dr Guy Milner (1902/87) served on the destroyer HMS Venomous prior to becoming a specialist in Dental work and Hon. Surgeon at Addenbrooke Hospital. In 1956 Dr Milner published “Some of the answers” which consisted of his answers to patients who had consulted him. During the 1990s GRW52 was with Mike Berry & the car was used during the TV series “The Thief Taker”.