Description
In the summer of 1930 the assembly of chassis GWP4 was completed to feature a most attractive black 2-door Drop Head Coupe body with optional Dickie seat and nickel fittings over a green Harts leather interior to host its 2 plus 2 occasional occupants. Additional fittings included an A. T. speedometer, rear wheel carrier, special petrol tank filler, Bosch horn and rake D steering. Once its quality and performance were reviewed, tested and certified, Rolls Royce delivered it to The Stepney Carriers Co. Ltd. At High Holborn to be collected by its first owner, a Surrey based businessman and Member of the Parliament for Fulham East, Sir Henry George Norris. Thirty-six years later it was sold to be acquired soon after by Mr. John Edward Bernard Hill, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, Member of the Parliament for South Norfolk and British Conservative Party politician. During his 6-decade long ownership, Mr. Hill displayed extensive care with notable attention to repairs, especially those conducted in 1953 by engine specialists at Botswoods Ltd. of Ipswich and body specialists at Robinson and Co. of Norwich. In 2004 the vehicle was acquired by Baron of Rathdown in Ireland and renown collector, Count Scott MacMillan who embraced and fostered the preserved condition of the car during his time in Edinburgh before departing for the US and selling it to its most recent owner, a most prestigious figure in the world of historic automobiles having served as Vice-Chairman of Federation Internationale Des Vehicules Anciens’s Technical Commission and President of Antique Car Club of Greece amongst others. Emotion and aptitude were directed on preserving its authenticity and condition with scheduled maintenance and drives to public and private events. It now presents in exceptional mechanical condition and offered with a comprehensive file including the original UK logbook, MoT history as well as a series of invoices and restoration notes from all owners.
Specifications
Year: 1930
Make: Rolls Royce
Series: P/ B
Model: 20/ 25
Body drawing: 4378
Type: 2-door short wheel base Drop Head Coupe with Dickey Seat
Passengers: 2 plus 2
Seats: 2 main plus 2 occasional
Coachbuilder: Henry Jervis Mulliner & Co, Bedford Park, Chiswick, London
Chassis number: GWP4
Engine type: 3669cc, in line 6 cyl., cast iron block and head, aluminum crankcase, single two-jet Rolls Royce carburetted, 42 bhp at 2500 rpm and 119 lbs at 750 rpm output
Engine number: U8L, original to the car
Gearbox type: 4sp. manual
Gearbox number: U7L, original to the car
Rear axle ratio: 11 x50
Body color: Black
Head color: Grey
Fittings: Nickel
Interior color, trim: Green, leather
Special equipment:
- A. T. speedometer
- Bosch horn instead of Klaxon
- Rake D steering
- Rolls Royce mascot
- Petrol tank, special filler
- Rear wheel carrier
- Luggage grid deletion
Registration: GF7408, issued May 1930
Ownership history:
1930-1946: Sir Henry George Norris, UK, businessman and Member of the Parliament for Fulham East, UK
1946-1947: Mr. S. H. Morrish, Surrey, UK
1947-2004: Mr. John Edward Bernard Hill, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, Member of the Parliament for South Norfolk and British Conservative Party politician, UK
2004-2005: Count Scott Roderick MacMillan, Edinburgh, UK and Bray, Ireland.
2005- present: Mr. Lancelot Robert Smith and family, UK and Greece
Documents:
- Federation Internationale Des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA) Identity Card, issued on Sept. 14th, 2005, A/ 2 Category
- 1962 Registration Logbook, original
- 1947 to 2004 Mr. Hill correspondence with Rolls Royce and maintenance records
- recent MoT records
- recent parts invoices
