Rolls-Royce 20/25

A very special, almost certainly unique, rakish, sporting, two door saloon, with striking looks and some very special features, such as ‘highline’ front wings, streamlined tail, a lovely, narrow windscreen with a delightful peak above it, louvred bonnet, and more besides. There is a photo of the car in ‘Coachwork on Rolls-Royce’, page 245, taken when it was new, showing it to be exactly as it still is. The car is in excellent condition, fitted with overdrive for relaxed long journeys, very nicely finished in black with Ace wheel discs, lovely blue leather interior, complete with original registration number, and offered serviced and MoT tested.

Chassis No. GHA29 Reg No. AXV 7 Price £85,000

Snippets: Thomas Malcolm MacAlpine

In 1934 GHA29 was delivered to Sir Thomas Malcolm McAlpine (1877/1967) whose father, Sir Robert McAlpine had started McAlpine Construction in 1869 with their Headquarters in Scotland. By 1905 Thomas (better known as Malcolm) had opened the London office where his 2 brothers Robert & Alfred and their father joined him in 1916. Sir Malcolm’ was a keen horseman and in 1921 his horse “Shaun Spadah” won the Grand National with the jockey Fred Rees aboard, later horses included - Story of Eden, Spiona, Tuckle (when this horse won at Lingfield Sir Malcolm gave the jockey a gold pocket-watch!), Seneca, and perhaps one of his best horse was the filly Zabara who in 1952 won the 1,000 Guinea Stakes & the Coronation Stakes – after the race Sir Malcolm put Zabara up for auction and the filly was purchased by Robin McAlpine – Sir Malcolm’s son! It would appear that the love of horses ran in the family as it does today. In 1945 Sir Malcolm McAlpine founded the Racehorse Owners Association which celebrated its 80th Anniversary last year. Sir Malcolm’s other two sons included Kenneth whose love of speed was for 4 wheels and 4 legs - he became a racing driver for the Connaught Racing Team and took part in 7 F1 World Championships, after retiring from active racing he funded the team for a few years until 1957 when Connaught Engineering was wound up. Kenneth continued to work in the family firm as well his other interests – McAlpine Helicopters and his vineyard at Lamberhurst which he sold in 1995. Sir Malcolm’s middle son Robert – had, prior to his marriage in 1939 to Mrs Nora Davies changed his name by deedpoll to that of Robin, like his father Robin too adored “The Turf” and in due course set up his own stud – Wyck Hall Stud. In 1946 GHA29 is shown as being with Major R S Paterson who served with BAOR – British Army Of The Rhine; it would appear that the Major was stationed in Herford, Westphalia and was with the Security section of the Military Transport Division, it is not known if he took GHA29 with him.