- Charming coachwork packed with interesting features
- A fascinating, continuous history which is well-documented
- Previously owned by Prince George Galitzine and the Earl of Moray, forming part of the famous Doune Collection
- In current ownership for 38 years
This delightful 20/25 carries charming coupe coachwork by Park Ward. It is packed with interesting features including ‘cycle-helmet’ wings (with no running boards) and a clever mechanism which folds down a step as the door is opened, incorporating step lights. The car also carries Andre de Luxe bumpers, a Stephen Grebel sidelight, and an Auster sun-visor, all original to the car.
The nicely patinated trim is in beige Bedford cord. It has rear seats for occasional use which hinge down from the body sides. The dashboard and door trims are clearly original, having a deep and rich finish adding to the car’s original feel.
GTR 5 was sold new via Messrs. Bennetts (Nottingham) Ltd to Mr F.W Barnes. The car was finished in dual Strawberry red, with red mottled Bedford cord trim and unpainted wheel discs. The car must have looked most striking. It is believed Mr Barnes kept the car until 1939, following which the car was likely laid up during the war.
By 1953 the car was owned by Prince George Galitzine, photographs show that by this time the rear section of the coachwork had been altered, converting it to 4-light. Prince George Galitzine’s parents had fled Russia following the 1919 revolution and had chosen to settle in Great Britain believing their sons would benefit from an English public-school education. George nicknamed the car ‘Rosinante’ after Don Quixote’s worn-out old horse.
Prince George’s mother, Catherine von Carlow, was a third cousin of the father of Prince Phillip Mountbatten, so as a distant relative, Prince Michael of Kent practiced his early driving skills in ‘Rosinante’. In 1962, Prince George was chauffeur to his cousin, Prince Boris Galitzine’s wedding in Paris. Unfortunately, and during the night before, the radiator mascot was stolen leaving an open hole in the top of the radiator. There are period photographs within the car’s history file showing Princess George arranging flowers in the top of the radiator, as if a vase, to disguise the missing item. A fitting replacement for a wedding.
In 1964, ‘Rosinante’ was purchased by H Knowles-Brown Ltd and was sent to Somerton Motors having endured a severe winter on the continent in the previous year. Frost had damaged the cylinder head and block, so a replacement engine was sourced and fitted by John Fasal. From 1968 to 1980, the car was owned by the Earl of Moray forming part of the famous Doune Collection renowned for its high-quality and original cars. The history file contains a photograph of Graham Hill next to the car when the Earl of Moray chauffeured him to visit his museum in 1973. Mr N Gardener of Stock, Essex, bought GTR 5 in 1980, and commissioned P&A Wood to carry out extensive recommissioning work throughout his ownership.
The current owner purchased the car in 1986 and continued to have P&A Wood as well as Arthur Archer maintain the car. During his ownership of 38 years, he has toured the car in Switzerland and Denmark. Today, ‘Rosinante’ presents beautifully as an unrestored, charming car with striking coachwork. It runs very nicely having a great feel on the road and comes with an outstanding history file.
The car is also referenced in many publications including Dalton’s ‘Coachwork on Rolls-Royce’ pg. 240.
