Classic Rolls Royce's in India

[67Bug]

Originally Posted by park-ward

The Silver Wraith with split bonnet is an early series (1946-1947), Park-Ward lim to design #17 produced in 8 examples and there's only one chassis that may have found its way to India: #WVA6 which was owned by Lord Mountbatten. Who knows the reg'n number ?

I have the regn no, would that help ?

[park-ward]

Originally Posted by 67Bug

I have the regn no, would that help ?

That would especially help to update my records. The police roof light is, I think, the distinctive sign of an official car, so I stick to WVA6. (You can e-mail the reg'n to blaize@club.fr)

[karlosdeville]

Some comments from Harit.

The Silver Wraith is the same Lonavala car which every body knows about. There is however a likelyhood that she has been moved.
To give some info to some postings.
The car has a Delhi registration, do not know if it is genuine but the number plate is old. DL? ????. If you know the registration numbers, then you have the answer. I am not yet at liberty to disclose the number. I am sure that some may have the attached photograph with number, let them come up with it. Have to keep word, so only a clue.
The red light on top rightly indicates that she was a royal car, I believe ex-Kohlapur but may be wrong, but quite likely from an erstwhile princely state in Maharashtra.
Attached find another picture, looks a bit cleaned up.
When I saw the car in Lonavala, I rember seeing that a cartrige player, the 8-track type or a 45RPM record played were fitted in the rear somewhere near the partition. But the centre partition was falling apart, may not be present anymore.

Last comment " When has the restoration of the Shadow commenced?" I saw her three weeks ago and she was covered up for the monsoon. I really hope that she gets restored, I am sending a pic of her in her formed glory.

Cheers Harit

[speedy]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Some comments from Harit.

Thank you Harit Uncle for the former picture of the car. I can make out the silver but the side looks gun metal not sure. could you please confirm on the colour scheme as well as what was the interior colour. I would like to retain the Original colour. I was going to have it Painted in Maroon (S Class).
My father and me are not waiting for my brother anymore and doing the car ourselves. I was waiting for the Monsoon to get over and the car would go in for the Paint. Stanley would be doing the seats. Next week the car would go for paint, but now i shall show my father the original colour scheme. The mechanicals would be done last. I know i am working in the opposite direction but something better than nothing.
Thank you Uncle, you have made my day.

[DKG]

As there's been some discussion about Wraiths it may be pertinent to note that the main difference between the Wraiths and the preceding 25/30 was the independent coil spring suspension Rolls Royce had effectively copied from the Packard 120. Also the wheel size dropped from the 19inchers to 17 inch wheels. Hope these two features are used by enthusiasts in quickly determining whether they are looking at a 25/30 or a Wraith. There may be other small visual cues but the main differences apparently are those just mentioned. The Wraiths also apparently had hydraulic jacks installed to enable owners to effectively change wheels with ease.

Wraiths are considered the quietest prewar Rolls Royces.

BTW I am no authority on RR's, this is off the Wikipedia site

[travancore]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Here is the RR PII formerly owned by Maharaja of Rewa car shot at Blackhawk Car museum in Danville California.

This is Phantom II 179-XJ. The Derby Phantoms lists the original owner as a Mr. Mertzenoff.

Julian, Park-Ward, Steve: can anyone verify that it was owned by the Maharaja of Rewa at some point (even though he may not have been the original owner) ? Thanks

[park-ward]

Originally Posted by travancore

This is Phantom II 179-XJ. The Derby Phantoms lists the original owner as a Mr. Mertzenoff.

Julian, Park-Ward, Steve: can anyone verify that it was owned by the Maharaja of Rewa at some point (even though he may not have been the original owner) ? Thanks

Attachment 57899

Attachment 57900

My records don't show a complete history for this car but I confirm the original owner was Andre Mertzanoff of 956 Fith Avenue, New York in Feb. 1930. The car went back to the UK ca 1958 and returned again to the USA in 1960. It hasn't travelled abroad since except when it was exhibited at Retromobile in Paris in 1995.

[speedy]

Here is a not so clear picture of a Rolls Royce 20hp that has come to our place for work. i have asked for a clearer picture of the front.

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by speedy

Here is a not so clear picture of a Rolls Royce 20hp that has come to our place for work. i have asked for a clearer picture of the front.

Here is a clearer picture of the Rolls before reaching your place of work

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by speedy

Here is a not so clear picture of a Rolls Royce 20hp that has come to our place for work. i have asked for a clearer picture of the front.

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Here is a clearer picture of the Rolls before reaching your place of work

I was quite saddened to see whitewalls on the car, as well as the new regn plate. Anyways, all the best to the new owner.

[Julian UK]

1925 Barker tourer #GPK6 1st owner H H The Maharajah of Banswara

[DKG]

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Here is a clearer picture of the Rolls before reaching your place of work

Lovely car. The whitewalls is a lot like the Americans wanting Ketchup in everything

Karlos doesn't this look a lot like Ramesh Thakar's car? Looks identical infact

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by DKG

Lovely car. The whitewalls is a lot like the Americans wanting Ketchup in everything

Karlos doesn't this look a lot like Ramesh Thakar's car? Looks identical infact

It was, is now sold to Cama, sharing space with the Wraith BMY 4944.

[Julian UK]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

It was, is now sold to Cama, sharing space with the Wraith BMY 4944.

Ahem Karl.... Silver Wraith #WVA 28 1946 Park Ward saloon
Lets just call them the Silver one and the red and white one?
I hope the 20hp doesn't get a sporty body, wheel covers and chrome strips, I think it looks just fine as it is. It appears to have the hardware for attaching 3 spare wheels. perhaps they all should be whitewall or preferably not at all. Ketchup has too much sugar in it..

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Ahem Karl.... Silver Wraith #WVA 28 1946 Park Ward saloon

Whoops sorry, my mistake again!

I don't remember if I've shared this engine bay pic of this fine 20HP. In Manvender's book she is registered RSW 1 in "as found" condition, in Pune with Thakker she was RJB 9, and now she is MH 12 DS 8992. Sigh.