Description
This is lot number 565 in the Bonhams Beaulieu Sale on September 14th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Body believed built for the Maharajah of Mysore
Late Ghost with four-wheel brakes and AutoVac fuel system
Restored by the late Tony James. Ex RREC Chairman.
Finance Company repossession
A car with a fascinating history, '82EU' was originally sold to Barkers who bodied it for the first owner, one Benjamin Sassoon of London. The car was signed off by Eric Platford on 29th November 1924 and delivered on 20th January 1925. Being a late Ghost, it benefits from four-wheel brakes and an Autovac fuel feed.
The car's current body is an original open-drive example built by Steuarts of Calcutta circa 1913, it is believed for the Maharajah of Mysore. This in turn was a copy of a body built by Barkers in 1913, which was displayed at Olympia on chassis number '2366'. The Steuarts body was imported from India in 1967. This car is the life's work of noted Rolls-Royce luminary and enthusiast, the late Mr Tony James, who sourced the body (from James Black). Taken beside Lake Dhakhuria in 1965, a photograph of the body on the previous chassis comes with the car.
A passionate restoration was carried out by Engineer, businessman, horologist, renown Rolls-Royce enthusiast, tools specialist, Tony James, whose hero was fellow engineer Sir Henry Royce. Tony studied and knew intimately the working of Rolls-Royce motor cars. During his term as chairman of the RREC he applied his considerable business skill and love of Rolls-Royce (and Bentley) cars to ensuring the strong financial status of the club with, amongst other things, the inception of the year book; preservation of cars and the marque, imparted knowledge at seminars and in articles written with clarity and humour as well as solutions via phone and email communication direct with fellow enthusiasts and those needing help within the industry. Tony offered step by step advice to fix and improve the workings of many a car project and had a hand in restoring 147 Rolls-Royce motor cars, with a particular interested in pre-war examples.
'82EU' is finished in Royal Blue with black wings and roof and a black interior, with the bonnet left in polished aluminium. Photographs of the unpainted body come with the car showing it as found and installed. The driver's compartment is upholstered in black leather with original seat backs and re-trimmed seat squabs. An aluminium dashboard with the requisite instruments completes the ensemble. The attention to detail is extraordinary from the hand-crafted multi-layer coach-line, the hand-woven silk window tapes to the leather gaiters on the springs. The vendor confirms that the Ghost needs and wants for nothing. '82EU' is of sufficient importance to have graced the R-REC stand at the NEC.
The Ghost has within the last few years been at marque specialists Ristes of Nottingham having an extensive service and a tune-up. An inspection and service is recommended before road use.
This is a supremely elegant car with rare and highly desirable Indian coachwork. It is also a super Ghost to drive. The open drive Limousine allows the driver to feel the exhilaration of guiding her, whilst passengers are closed in the back in comfort upon button backed restored leather seating with vanity items and footwarmer to complete the plush interior.
Affording the prospect of Silver Ghost motoring at its finest, it is ready for long distance rallies and quite capable of driving the entire length of Europe. This example has been the subject of a finance company repossession which is its reason for sale.
