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

A lovely example of a very rare car, believed to one of only twelve survivors out of just twenty one originally built. The car is extremely stylish and elegant in a way that is difficult to put into words, and must have made quite a statement, looking very futuristic on the streets of 1950s Britain. Fabulous build quality for which Bristol were known, combined with gorgeous lines and proportions, as well as rarity and overall desirability, make this car an exceptionally unusual opportunity. Quirky is also an appropriate term to use, which encompasses, amongst other aspects, unusual curiosities such as push-button door handles and a bonnet which can be opened fully from either side. Fully disappearing hood, divided windscreen and fabulous, orange dashboard and period instruments are amongst other features to point out. Fabulous quality and in excellent condition following a thorough renovation less than ten years ago, after fifty years off the road. Comes with a history file which includes invoices going back to the 1960s, an old buff logbook, letters, ownership records, various documents and a copy of ‘The Automobile’, which includes an article on the car’s resurrection in 2015. Running and driving very nicely, looking fabulous!

Price £155,000 – Sale Agreed

Snippets: 10th Commando Belgium Squad

The 1st owner of UML534 was a Belgium gentleman Willy Victor Dauppe (1913/61) who prior to the outbreak of war was a partner of A. C. Cochenet (steel) then he became an agent for the Belgium steel consortium Société Cockerill (founded in the 1800s by a British entrepreneur John Cockerill). In August 1939 Willy Dauppe joined the Belgium Army and returned to the UK through Dunkirk, he then joined the 10 Commandos (Belgium No 4 Troop) and was a participant in many raids including Operation Rumford & Operation Infatuate. Nr. 10 Commando unit was one of the most unique fighting units of WWII as it comprised of both allied & disaffected enemy personnel and refugees from war-torn Europe. There are several fascinating and details books about their exploits with Capt. W. V. Dauppe being mentioned in several chapters. In 1961 the Bristol was acquired by Dr. Michael Peter Wright the son of Dr. Helena & Dr. Henry Wardel Snarey Wright. Dr Henry Wright served during both World Wars with the RAMC & was the recipient of the Legion d’Honneur in 19458. Dr. Helena also served with the RAMC and later trained as a gynaecologist – Michael’s brother Berwic also joined the medical profession as have 2 of Henry & Helena’s grandchildren. In 1968 the Bristol 402 was sold by Michael for £250 in part exchange for a new Bristol 405 Drophead Coupe which the price was £750.

An attractive car, with low-folding hood line, giving a well-balanced appearance from any angle, enhanced by the rear-mounted spare wheel and quarter bumpers. The frontal aspect is also handsome with an impressive array of lamps and horns. Nicely painted in Burgundy and black, with contrasting tan leather interior and fully-lined hood. Nice mechanically, with a good engine, correct compressions, etc, running very nicely and a ‘well-rounded’ Derby Bentley, in an ideal condition to use as is, and perhaps improve in some respects as and when convenient. With the car are three folders of history, which include many invoices for repair and maintenance going back to the 1970s. Between 1974 and 2019, £73,000 has been spent on the car which, when taking into account inflation since the early part of that period, will probably represent a great deal more in today’s prices.  Amongst many other things, this work included a new aluminium cylinder head – a major plus point – and re-wiring in correct, cloth -covered cables, incorporating flashing indicators, which are rather important these days! Also included are old MoT certificates, correspondence (including letters from the original owner), a buff logbook from the 1950s, and various other documentation. We understand from documentation with the car that it was with the first owner until 1967. Certainly, it was with a subsequent owner from 1971 (or earlier) until he passed away in 2023. 

Price £77,500 

Snippets: A pair of RAMC Doctors

The first owner of B86AH was Ivan Whiteside Magill (1888/1986) born in Larne, Northern Ireland who in 1913 qualified as a doctor at Belfast University. During WWI he served with the RAMC in France and after being demobbed he took up a post at Queen Mary’s in Sidcup which was a military hospital specialising in facial reconstruction of war injuries. This is where Ivan Magill pioneered & invented many instruments & methods relating to anaesthetics which are still in use today, including forceps, laryngoscopes & intubation; during the 1940s he was in charge of anaesthetising King George VI for two operations for which he was given a CVO & in 1960 in recognition of his life’s work Magill was knighted by King George’s daughter – Elizabeth.

The second owner of B86AH was Peter John Blackburn (1934/2023) who qualified at Dublin University in 1958 and the following year he joined the RAMC! Whilst with the RAMC his postings included Aden, Singapore, Europe & of course the UK. Whilst with the RAMC he progressed through the ranks from Captain to Major to Lt-Col to Colonel and finally retired in 1994 with the rank of Brigadier. His qualifications also progressed to include Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of the Art of Obstetrics, Diplomas in Public & Industrial Health and in Tropical Medicine. Along side Brigadier Lewthwaite, MajGen Crawford & Brigadier Harwood our Brigadier is acknowledged as having made a large contribution to the RAMC’s integrated approach to health – all 4 gentlemen retired in April 1994.

A very special MKVI, which started life as a desirable ‘big bore, small boot’ example, but now much better still, having been upgraded discreetly and tastefully, with 4.9 Litre S Type engine, high ratio back axle and adjustable electric power steering! The car is in sound, very smart condition, driving well, and benefitting greatly from the upgrades. Excellent interior, re-upholstered very correctly, with new carpets, headlining, etc, and particularly lovely re-finished woodwork, with pronounced and attractive grain pattern and a deep lustre, all to a very high standard and lovely! Paintwork too, is good, and the whole car is very appealing in many ways. Even a ‘standard’ MKVI can be a very practical car to use, easy to drive, pleasant gearchange, with synchromesh, etc, yet with plenty of character and charm. They deal very well with modern traffic conditions, keeping up well, and this example, with its upgrades, does more than just keep up! A rare opportunity, at a price disproportionate to the changes made, and therefore offering excellent value for money.

Price £49,500

Snippets: Brick Builders to Particle Physics

From 1952 to 1969 B40PV was owned by two brothers Henry Roy Garlick (1905/1980) & Austin Arthur Makepeace Garlick (1898/1986). Henry & Austin joined their father William (1875/1935) & their uncles Horace & Charles in the family firm of Garlicks Ltd which their grandfather Charles Garlick (1834/98) started in the late 1800s – in the 1861 census Charles was noted as being a joiner & by the 1891 census he was described as a master builder. In 1968 Henry Roy Garlick was interviewed about the family firm prior to it being bought out by Deeleys & Henry recalls that when the firm started the excavation at the GEC site in Stoke they had some 300 horses & carts and in 1928 Garlicks acquired their first lorry which had solid wheels! In 1935 the firm constructed the factory for the Standard Motor Company and at the same time they built what was known as a “Shadow Factory” – these factories were the result of a plan devised in 1935 in the buildup to WWII to try to meet the urgent need for more aircraft using technology transfered from the motor industry to implement additional manufacturing capacity. During this construction Garlicks employed circa 800 – 1,000 men plus a further 400 subcontractors – this ensured the factory buildings were completed in about 12 months! In 1969 B40PV was acquired by Joseph Adrien Letiere Petit who owned B40PV until his death in 2000, Joseph Petit can trace his family tree back to Jean Petit who was born in Beaurevoir, France in 1748. Due to the persecution that members of the Hugenot faith were facing in those time the Petit family emigrated from France to England with Jean Petit settling in Birmingham where he trained in metalworking & in the 1800s his grandson Joseph followed Jean’s footsteps becoming a toolmaker in the pen trade & in due course the founder of a family business that lasted for over 150 years. The Petit & Brandauer families merged their business interests and over the last century the firm have produced pen nibs (used by commoners & Royalty), been involved in the motorcycle industry with Edward Gorton (his wife was a Petit), ink cartridges, circuit frames & in 2008 CERN commissioned Brandauer to produced 2,800 pressure relief springs which are essential to protect the 27kms of LHC cryostats from over-pressure and the accidental release of helium.

A fabulous example of a late Ghost with four-wheel brakes. Very appropriately bodied many years ago to a high standard, very well built and now in excellent condition, nicely matured to just the right degree! The doors close with a delightful ‘click’, and the overall structure and design are excellent. The car is very good mechanically, well appointed, has an interesting history, has been very well cared-for and prepared by the last owner, and as a result is nicely ‘tried & tested’, ready for its next adventure in life, 100 years after coming into this world! Maintenance and repair over the last fifteen years or so is well documented in the history file, which also includes various literature, letters etc from earlier in the car’s life, and photos of its appearance in the ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ film. Four wheel brakes make the car more practical and useable than earlier models, adding to the usability. Adjustable rake windscreen, rear ‘auster’ screen, correct lamps, straight-sided tyres (including twin side mounts), wheel discs, three piece tonneau cover, toolkit, etc, etc, all add to the appeal. If you are looking for a ready to go, four wheel brake, open Ghost, you may have just found it!

Price £125,000 – Sale Agreed

Snippets: Bacon & Bond

82EM was ordered by D H Bloomer of Eleanor St., Grimsby est1920 for their wealthy customer Edwin Bacon (1852/1943). Edwin Bacon started work as a fishing lad and by 1899 owned his own trawling firm, by the start of WWI his business had expanded to the extent that he had his own engineering, plumbing, blacksmithing and carpentry firms just to keep his fleet of 70 vessels afloat! During both WWI & WWII a number of his ships were used to carry out minesweeping duties in the North Seas with many vessels and crews not returning to harbour. Edwin Snr’s wealth was such that during WWII he loaned the British Government the sum of £45,000 (interest free) and he donated the sum of £9,436 to the Spitfire Fund which enable the production of a pair of Spitfires Grimsby I and II. He sold 82EM in 1928 having just acquired a little Rolls-Royce Limousine 20hp GKM3. When he died in 1943 his estate was in excess of £260,000 which today would be around £15m. Not bad for a fishing lad. The next owner of 82EM was Frederick Malcolm Bond MD of Limmer & Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co Ltd and also on the board of Penmaenmawr & Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co & Western Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co Ltd. The firm used high quality asphalt from Limmer in Germany and from the Pitch Lake in Trinidad. In 1922 Frederick’s wife, Rosa, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving of one William Eagle whose occupation was described as a rag dealer. With the evidence provided by Lord Hampden who was driving in the opposite direction to Mrs. Bond she was acquitted of manslaughter – it’s not known what make or model the car was only that it was described at the time as “a powerful car”.

Offered as a renovation project, without engine and gearbox. The car is otherwise complete and correct, with original leather interior which should come back to life nicely. There are some rust repairs required, and of course and engine and gearbox will need to be sourced (we may be able to help). Alternatively, how about a conversion to electric power? Comes with V5C registration document.

Price £6,750

Snippets:

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

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An extremely appealing example of the sought-after Mulliner 7514 design, in lovely, sharp and correct condition, very nicely finished in its original colour scheme of white, with fine red pinstripes, harmonising well with the gorgeous red leather and red carpets. The interior is a lovely place to spend time, with fabulous veneers, finished to a very high standard, good headlining and fitted with inertia reel seat belts. It even smells ‘just right’, with no indication of neglect or poor maintenance. In fact, the whole car exudes an air of correctness and wholesomeness, inside, outside and underneath, and has been very well cared for and loved by one owner since 1976 – 48 years and 80% of its life so far! The comprehensive, original tool kit also says something about the care that the car has received, and the life that it has led. A beautiful car, ready to use and enjoy, comes with a stretch fit car cover, and with a lovely (original) registration number as a bonus! MoT tested until July 2025.

Price £ 175,000

Snippets: Denny & Hogarth Shipbuilders

The 1st owner of BC124CZ was Mrs Elizaeth Denny who from 1934 to 1951 was the first wife of Edward Leslie Denny a scion of the Denny Shipbuilding firm. Elizabeth was the daughter of Mr. Crawford Hogarth, he was the owner of the Baron line of steamships so the marriage ensured that at one stage the Denny-Hogarth connections formed one of the largest shipping concerns in Scotland. We have managed to obtain a book by A. A. McAlister which details the history & fleet list of H. Hogarth & Sons Ltd from 1862 until 1974 when the family concern was absorbed into T. L. Duff & Co. Elizabeth Denny’s father was Hugh Hogarth (1909/1973) – he was the son of Samuel Crawford Hogarth (1874/1950) and grandson of his namesake Hugh Hogarth Snr (1840/1904). In 1951 Elizabeth divorced Edward on the grounds of cruelty with the court revealing that Elizabeth’s personal income was some £8,000pa which today would be in excess of £250,000! There is a mention of the actress Jill Bennet having owned BC124CZ but we can neither deny nor confirm this so if anyone can please do let us know. By 1976 the Bentley S2 was with Nigel Gluckstein of No. 15 Pembridge Place in London where the last owner, then aged just 21 saw the car, fell in love with her and bought her – it remained in the family until earlier this year.

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 lovely, sharp, straight, undisturbed example, with a comprehensive history file, including service records, correspondence, MoTs, etc, which is sufficient for us to be confident that the mileage of 56,400 is correct. The paintwork is generally excellent, and of very high quality, the chrome is lovely, but the outstanding feature of this car is the condition of the interior. It is difficult to over-describe it, as the tan leather to the front and beige west of England cloth to the rear are absolutely original, with beautiful veneers, a gorgeous cocktail cabinet, etc, but spotlessly clean and fresh, as though the car was built a couple of years ago. Looks, feels and smells absolutely right, and has to be seen! The engine bay is suitably clean, with a ‘well maintained’ look, and the engine runs very smoothly. The boot area is lovely and clean, the toolkit looks as though it hasn’t been used, and the spare tyre has never been on the road. An excellent example overall, which has just come from a well known F1 champion, and offered at a very fair price. MoT tested until July 2025.

Price £ 57,500

Snippets: SMM Ltd & Cambridge Instruments

During its life PRH4661 has been registered to several companies including producers of plastic materials, scientific & medical instruments & their investors. The first was Sterling Moulding Materials Ltd which was started by a Rudy Sternberg (1917/1978) who in 1937 alongside his family escaped from Nazi Austria, after studying chemical engineering in London he joined the British Army in a non-combative roll and in 1945 was granted citizenship. He started his career by buying old buttons, using his chemical knowledge he re-dyed them before selling them to the garment trade. In 1948 he purchased 5 cotton mills – Albion, Castle, Tower, Whitelands and Queen plus 2 engineering sites i- Globe & Phoenix in Stalybridge which he then converted to chemical plants. In 1951 he married Monica Prust a Canadian who trained as a ballerina with the Royal Ballet (in 1939 she was in the Vic-Wells Ballet production of The Sleeping Princess). By the time Rudy purchased PRH4661 he had some 1,000 employees and when he attended the Leipzig Trade Fair his Rolls-Royce was taken there by his chauffeur & he was driven around the area with the Union Jack flying! In 1970 he was knighted and in 1975 made a peer of the Realm taking the title Lord Plurenden, there are several books regarding him & his career – A Chapter in the recent industrial history of Stalybridge and more recently “The Wilson Plot” which is full of fascinating information. A more recent owner was none other than the South African racing driver Jody Scheckter who after his retirement founded a company which built firearms training simulators for military, law enforcement and security organisations after selling the company he purchased Laverstoke Park and became an organic farmer.

An unusual and very appealing car, being an original-bodied, two door, four light drophead with various interesting touches. For example, there are typically high-quality fixtures and fittings, including ‘Hooper Patent’ signalling window to the driver’s door, The car is correct, sound, smart and attractive, nicely finished in green with excellent red leather. Running and driving nicely, and fitted with overdrive, making the car more practical and enjoyable in modern traffic, particularly on longer journeys and tours, etc. Enhancements include twin side-mounted spare wheels, all six being shod with Michelin tyres, an excellent array of Lucas lamps, including P80 bullseye headlights, PLG40 centre spot, and ‘owl eye’ rear lamp, twin mirrors, a scuttle-mounted spot lamp, and much more. The car has been enjoyed by the last two owners, both of whom bought the car from us, for thirteen years and twelve years respectively. Both have looked after the car very nicely, and as a consequence it is in lovely condition, as well as being full of character and charm, and retaining its original, registration number MS 900. Offered serviced, newly MoT tested and ready to go.

Price £ 57,500

Snippets: Tobacco & Pottery

The first owner was Miss Isobel Kennedy Mitchell (1884/1967) of Craigmount, Kelvinside – her complicated family included connections to the 18th Century tobacco firm of Stephen Mitchell & Son, Glasgow. This firm had been established in Linlithgow in 1723 & due to expansion moved at the end of century to the outskirts of Glasgow. Isobel’s mother Isabella Stewart Tod died in 1892 aged 42 leaving Stephen Mitchell (1847/1920) with 4 children under the age of 13 to bring up. In 1894 Stephen married Miss Anges Rankin McNeill and in 1895 they had a daughter Margaret who lived her entire life with her half-sibling Isobel. Isobel & Margaret were keen adventures and due to their inheritance when their father died in 1920 they spent many years travelling Europe as did their bachelor Great-Uncle Stephen Mitchell who in 1874 left the sum of £70,000 (equivalent to £30m today) to the City of Glasgow in order for the City to establish a Public Library known today as the Mitchell Library. Isobel’s other family members included Rosemary Kennedy Aspin authoress of “Tales of the Broomhill Squirrels” & Isobel’s twin brother – Stephen Mitchell (1884/1951) who became a Scottish Unionist Politician. During WWII it was illegal to stockpile petrol without a licence but Margaret Mitchell didn’t think that law applied to her and in 1941 she was fined the sum of £25 for storing 19gallons at a home she shared with her sister Isobel. During the 1960s & ‘70s GOS44 was in the USA with Arthur Robert Feeney who was involved with the Scio Pottery Company which was destroyed by fire in 1947 but with the loyalty of the employees and locals Lew Reese (owner of Scio Pottery) managed to rebuild the factory in 62 days which was then a world record for that type of building – there is even a movie of the story! The Reese family even established a museum which had stuffed animals and vehicles including 1908 Maxwell Roadster, 1917 Chevrolet, 1933 LaSalle coupe, 1936 Packard coupe, 1954 Kaiser-Darrin plus a Rolls-Royce, Corvettes and Troy Ruttman’s 1952 race car in which he won the 1952 Indianapolis 500 – is the Rolls-Royce GOS44?

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.

Price now reduced. A delightful, early 20/25 with traditional, tall, upright coachwork, very stately, but fresh and cheerful in very nicely carried out primrose paintwork with tan leather interior, attractive veneers, and excellent headlining and carpets. In fact, the car is very fresh and clean throughout, inside and out. The car has some appealing vintage features, such as two-way divided windscreen, a ‘porthole’ communication window to the division, a lovely set of instruments, P80 ‘bullseye’ headlights, ‘Windover patent’ slimline bumper front and twin bladed quarter bumpers at the rear, a full set of wheel discs (also Windover’s own) and a very ‘characterful’ trunk on the rear. We have just completed an engine overhaul, which included new main and big end bearings, new pistons and little ends, timing case bearings, etc, and a clutch overhaul while we were at it, giving the car new lease of life. In addition to this, the car is fitted with a recent aluminium cylinder head, another bonus! Correct, attractive and smart, offered newly MoT tested. The last owner very effectively turned the car into a ‘Darling Buds of May lookalike’, and we have included a Lledo model of it to complement this, as you will see in the photos. MoT tested.

Price reduced from £42,500 to £39,500.

Snippets:Rugby Union, Civil Engineer & Football boots

The 1st owner of GXO48 was Sir David McCowan (1860/1937) of Park Circus Place, Glasgow who between 1880/84 had played international Rugby for Scotland and was capped 10 times, he later became President of the SRU in 1928. His career was that of a senior partner with William Euing & Co who specialised in Marine Insurance, in 1889 David married Gertrude Cargill whose father David Cargill in 1886 had founded Burmah Oil Ltd and remained as their chairman until his death in 1904. It would appear that with a few years GXO48 had been sold to Sir Frederick Llewelyn Palmer (1862/1934) who worked for the civil engineer Sir Alexander Rendel and was seconded to the East Indian Railway Company in the capacity of assistance engineer. Whilst stationed in India he was responsible for the construction of the Moghalserai-Gaya line which took over 4 years to complete and included the Sone Bridge which at the time was the 2nd longest bridge in the world with some 93 spans of 100ft. In 1909 he returned to the UK and became chief engineer to the Port of London Authority with work on the Albert Dock & the King George V Dock. During WWI he was consulting engineer to the Air Ministry, his international works included Port Churchill for Hudson Bay River, Montreal Terminal and the harbour at Haifa and the new Zambesi Bridge – there are many more beside. In 1907 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire and in 1930 Commander of the Order of St Michael & St George for his contributions to engineering. His home of Crowhurst Place had previously been home to Consuelo Vanderbilt, 9th Duchess of Marlborough after her separation and subsequent divorce from the 9th Duke. During the 1990s GXO48 was with V. A. Lovelock who applied for a patent for various sporting gear including a headband and a football boot cover which consisted of a band that wrapped around the “sweet spot” of a football boot thereby increasing the friction between boot and ball and hopefully allowing the ball to “struck with greater accuracy”…….

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.

Price reduced. An appealingly unusual car, its design harking back to an earlier era, with faux canework, opera lamps, etc. It is, however, correct and as built, but benefitting from much attention, including restoration work in the USA many years ago, and continued attention in the UK since its return here in the 1970s. This work included an engine overhaul by Brunts of Silverdale, including new cylinder head and block, steering box rebuild, and more besides. Comes with a large, informative history file. The paintwork is in very good order, sharp and smart, as is the interior – brown leather to the front and cream to the rear, in both cases with matching carpets. Even the headlining is leather! The car features louvred bonnet and scuttle, Carl Zeiss headlights, Lucas ‘owl eye’ tail lights, twin tubular blade bumpers front and rear and a rear-mounted spare wheel. Running well, lovely all round and offered freshly MoT tested.

Price reduced from £55,000 to £49,500.

Snippets: Art & Jewels

The 1st owner of GMD36 was the socialite, heiress and scandalous Florence Evelyn St George, (known as Evelyn) whose father was George Fisher Baker (1840/1931) the co-founder of today’s Citibank. During his lifetime he was on the board of 40 companies, held the majority of the Central Railroad stock. In 1918 the first Forbes Rich List was published & it listed George Baker as being in joint 4th place with William Rockefeller with an estimated fortune of $150million, Nr 1 was John D. Rockefeller (William’s older brother) with a staggering $1.2billion. When George Baker died in 1931 the bulk of his estate was inherited by his son George with his two daughters gifted $5m each. In 1891, age 21, Florence Baker married the Irish land agent Howard St. George but by 1906 she had met the artist William Orpen (1878/1931) with whom she had a long-term liaison – and a daughter. Evelyn & her brother took annual trips to Paris to ensure they were dressed in the latest fashion and this of course included jewellery with Rene Lalique being commissioned to produce a choker with a lattice design of green glass cabochons on an enamel backing with diamonds set in each corner, this piece was later recut into a suite of bracelet, brooch and earrings with them being auctioned in 2020. There is a portrait of Evelyn St George by Orpen showing her reclining on her bed at Clonsilla in 1908 wearing that very choker. When she died in 1936 the auction house Sotheby’s were tasked with selling the contents of Cam House and this including artworks by El Greco, Goya, Cranach and of course works by Orpen.

From 1958 / 62 GMD36 was with the noted architect & interior designer Sir Hugh Casson – his clients included Air Ministry (Camouflage Service) Royalty (Royal Yacht Britannia) (Buckingham Palace, Windsor, Sandringham), WH Smith, NatWest Bank & Glyndebourne. During the time GMD36 was with Sir Casson the car was used, like his earlier Rolls-Royce as an everyday car and the mascot was replaced several times after being taken as a trophy.

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.

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