Rolls-Royce Wraith (1938)

SALE AGREED

A truly fabulous car, having been acquired by the last owner in the mid 1980s from his uncle who bought the car in 1942, in the middle of World War II, just after the first lady owner had passed away, at which time that car had covered 2,500 miles. The total mileage – 74 years later - has now risen to just 80,000! Restoration work in the last ownership totals almost £200,000, and as a result the car is truly gorgeous. In particular, the interior, which was totally re-trimmed in the 1980s by Roy Creech, is absolutely fabulous. There are three volumes of history, going back to the war years, which include some lovely documentation, an old logbook, tax discs, etc, and represent probably the most complete and comprehensive history that we have ever seen accompanying a pre-war car, as well as two photo albums. Even the toolkit is in lovely condition! It is difficult to do the car justice in words, but let’s just say that the car and the circumstances are exceptional in the most positive way imaginable. The photos also speak volumes.


Chassis No. WXA31 Reg. No. FGH 410 Price £85,000

Snippets: Gins & Shipping
WXA31 was owned, but never driven by her 1st owner, Miss Ariana Borthwick Gordon (1867/1942) a wealthy spinster who we have been told was a scion of the Gordon Gin family. Miss Gordon was a very charitable lady and upon her death in August 1942 she left an estate of £167,000 net with large bequests to Barnardo’s and Victoria Hospital (£2,000 each), with a further £1,000 to the RSPCA, the NSPCC & the Gordon’s Boys Homes. In October 1942 WXA31 was purchased by her 2nd owner Demitris J. Chandris (aged just 21) – a 3rd generation of Greek ship owners – just before the onset of WWII his father Ioannis Chandris (1890/1942) had a fleet of 15 ships & a shipping office in Piraeus. When Demitris Chandris married Myrto Pnevmaticou he consolidated the shipping firm as his father-in-law Michael Pnevmaticos was descended from a line of Kassiot shipowners dating back to 1824. Demitris & Myrto met when one of Demitris’s vessels ran aground on the island of Gairthouronissi just outside of the harbour of Hermoupolis, Syros! Over time the Chandris shipping interests have expanded to include Cruise Liners, Hotels, Shipbuilding, Tankers, Soft Drinks & Jams. In 1956 the company founded a school on the island of Chios for engineers, wireless operators & cooks (very important on any vessel!). Upon the death of Demitris in 1980 WXA31 was inherited by his nephew and remained with the family until 2016 when it was acquired by ourselves. In September 2016 the marriage of Dimitri Chandris and Lydia Forte united the hotel & cruise empires of two extraordinary families.

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