Rolls-Royce 20HP

Just back in the UK after many years in South Africa, followed by a spell in Ireland, this is a charming car, with character and charm, in good, clean condition and running well. The car is light, spacious and airy, is nicely vintage in feel, and incorporates features such as rear-mounted spare wheel (with option for side mount), correct lamps, including very stylish side lamps, and benefits from a new set of tyres, on correct 21” wheels. The engine has very recently undergone a thorough refurbishment, and is running nicely. An ideal way into vintage motoring at a sensible price.

SALE AGREED

Chassis No. GKM7 Reg. No. ZV 2042 £32,500

Snippets: The Mysterious South African Owners
Cmdr R. A. C. Mitchell RN took delivery of GKM7 at the family home of Westwood on the Isle of Wight – in 1924 Westood had been given to Katherine Michell by her Aunt Annie Carnt, the widow of Edwin Carnt a shipbuilder who had died in 1915, Annie lived with the Mitchell’s until her death in 1927. GKM7 only remained with Cmdr & Mrs Mitchell until 1932 when she was sold to Mjr William Henton Carver MP of North Cave in E. Yorkshire. During WWI the Major served with Egypt & France with the 10th Battalion – E. Yorkshire Regiment; he was a director of Wilson’s Brewery & the LNER. In 1928, the year that Cmdr Mitchell took delivery of GKM7 Major Carver was in South Africa on business – is there a connection between his visit there and the fact that in 1938 the little Rolls-Royce was in South Africa and remained there until 1994. The South African owners included Councillor Julius Civin of the United Party – he also owned a 1930 OK Supreme motorcycle on which he entered the Durban/Johannesburg Run no less than 23 with his best position being 24th, he also participated in International Motor Rallies include the 1958 Monte Carlo Rally (the 1957 event was cancelled due to fuel rationing). In 1968 Julius’s wife Laraine, published a bibliography on the writer Iris Murdoch as part of her Diploma requirements. It is unclear as to when J. Civin acquired GKM7, he owned the car in 1977 but in 1979 it was purchased by M. Kujawski, a wealthy businessman who had homes in Florida, Transvaal, Monte Carlo & Dublin. Although unclear as to his business interests we do know that he applied to register a patent for door handles with the inventor being E. A. Schwarz of Roodeport, Transvaal – perhaps someone can help us with information on the Civin & Kujawski families