1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Brougham de Ville

1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Brougham de Ville
Coachwork by Park Ward
Registration no. BGW 227
Chassis no. GMD36
Engine no. T2Z
• First owned by the American heiress Mrs Evelyn St George
• Formerly owned by Sir Hugh Casson
• Unique coachwork
• Restored in the USA
• Cherished by Rolls-Royce collectors and well maintained

Boasting uniquely flamboyant coachwork, 'GMD36' one of the very few Rolls-Royces built with sham cane-work and opera lamps from new (as listed on the original coachwork order form). Brougham de Ville coachwork had become rare by the 1930s and differs from the Sedanca de Ville type as the body has sharper lines, often with sham (painted) cane-work panels and opera lamps to the sides in the manner of horse-drawn carriage designs of the previous century. The roof over the chauffeur's compartment folds away neatly behind a panel when not required, giving the car very elegant lines and the occupants the choice of open or closed motoring. The original specification includes the long chassis; Carl Zeiss headlamps (still present); louvred bonnet; rear-mounted spare; Parisian side lamps (opera lamps); black paintwork (now Coffee Bean Brown) with sham cane-work panels; rear companion sets in the quarter panels; and silver inlaid woodwork.

This very special car was built for the American heiress Mrs Evelyn St George, whose father was the banker G F Baker. Reportedly he was the third richest man in the USA, and on his death in 1931 she inherited five million dollars (approximately equivalent to 93 million dollars today). In 1891 she married an Irish land agent, Howard Bligh St George. They had homes in England and Ireland, and Mrs St George made frequent trips to the USA onboard the Queen Mary. She is immortalised in a stunning portrait painted in 1906 by the prominent Irish artist ,William Orpen, with whom she had a long-term love affair. (The painting sold at auction in 2003 for £924,000.)

When Mrs St George ordered this Rolls-Royce in 1934 she was living in London in Coombe House, Camden Hill, NW8, a mansion set in two acres of gardens. She must have cut quite a dash being seen chauffeured around London in the Rolls. She had a pet monkey who travelled with her everywhere, for which she commissioned Cartier to make a travelling cage covered in red and gilt-tooled leather. After Mrs St George's death in 1936, her extensive art collection was auctioned in two specialist sales in 1939. The lots on offer included many works by William Orpen as well as Old Master paintings by El Greco and Goya.
In the 1950s and 1960s the car was owned by another connoisseur of the arts, Sir Hugh Casson, the famous artist and designer whose credits include the post of Director of Art for The Festival of Britain, President of the Royal Academy, and designer of the Royal Yacht Britannia's interior. He used the Rolls-Royce as his everyday car, and unlike Mrs St George, drove it himself. There is a fascinating collection of service bills and letters sold with the car dating from Sir Hugh's ownership, including orders for numerous replacement mascots, the latter being easy targets for souvenir hunters when the car was left parked on the London streets. Eventually Sir Hugh part-exchanged the Rolls for a new Mini!

The car then went to the USA where it was restored, and came back to England in the 1970s to be displayed in Jack Barclay's famous London showroom. Other famous owners include the motor dealer Charles Howard, who describes it in his book An Auto Biography: "I hope the present owner understands what a little gem of a car it is." 'GMD36' was also owned by the colourful politician, diarist, and motoring enthusiast, Alan Clarke, MP. In recent years this car has been cherished by three Rolls-Royce collectors and has been well maintained. The previous owner attended the Warren Concours and numerous R-REC events including a Continental tour. Our vendor describes the car as in very good condition throughout, with no modifications apart from flashing indicators.

The substantial history file contains a copy of Mrs Evelyn St George's biography; correspondence and bills from Sir Hugh Casson's ownership; a period photograph of Mrs St George; various bills and MoT certificates; and copies of the original factory build sheets and coachbuilder's instructions. Also on file are photographs of an engine rebuild carried out by Brunts of Silverdale, while recent works include a rebuilt steering box by Jonathan Wood (£3,500) and general servicing and attention to paintwork by Harvey Wash (approximately £3,500). A handbook and large tools are present.