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GZU-41, a 'V' Series Chassis ('long' type), was ordered by Major Douglas Granville - King in September, 1932.
Major King's service record shows the following information:
Douglas Granville King was born Feb 5th, 1893 in Jersey and was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, where he joined the College Cadet Corps and soon graduated to officer rank. On 4th September, 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War 1, he joined the Army Service Corps (now the RASC), 1st London Divisional Supply Column, where he gave his occupation as 'Motor Agent' and address as 53 Haymarket, London. His rank on joining up was shown as Lieutenant. Significantly, in view of his subsequent commissioning of GZU-41, his height was 6 foot 3 inches; tall by the standards of the day. A copy of his entire 53-page service record goes with the car, and shows an exemplary career in which he was hospitalised in 1915, returned to active service, mentioned in despatches, and finally leaving the armed forces on 28 February 1919, having married his American wife in 1917 in New York. He actually relinquished his rank of Bvt Major and was shown as a substantive Captain. Occupation 'Director' on demobilisation.
Fast forward to September 1932, and our hero orders his dream car at the age of 39, giving his address as The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1. This hotel only opened for business the year before and then as now, must have been a most prestigious address, albeit a temporary one. Maj. King must have been quite a fastidious enthusiast, since his list of extras is most impressive even by today's standards. This is also present with the car, and shows that he ordered from Hooper's such items as an additional side-mounted spare wheel, his crest on 'main doors', stainless steel centre lamp and many other fittings in this material, and a folding arm rest to the centre of the front seats as well as the rear. Hooper's build sheets show many other items too, including a 'motor telephone' which sadly, is no longer present. Most of the other accessories are. A 'specially-lengthened bonnet' was also ordered, which gives the car the appearance of a R-R Phantom, and no doubt that was the impression Douglas wished to convey. Certainly I have had people ask me if this was a Phantom II, so clearly the deception works even today! He also ordered the 'cutaway' fascia panel for 'extra leg room'. Remember he was 6 foot 3inches tall. D.G. King paid a total of £1,831-10-00d. for the car with all its extras. By today's standards, a fortune, which would have bought a large 4-bedroomed detached house back then. The original central London registration, YY 6400, remains on the car and the number plates are the originals. For this reason I have not changed them to more upmarket cast aluminium ones. The paint finish on the body sides is also understood to be original, but the black upper and lower colour has probably been renewed at some time.
Records show that the car passed into the hands of a Mrs.Emily Cosgrave, Offham Manor, West Malling, Kent in September 1935. Little is known at present about who Emily Cosgrave was, but she was clearly a lady of substance, since there is a stained glass window in the local church at West Malling dedicated to her. The name has also beeen spelt as COSGROVE; future historians beware! Unfortunately the manor has been demolished. There exists, however, on the site, a 'Cosgrave Fields'. A small picture of the Manor is in the history file for the car.
R-R service records next show the name of N.R.A.Leaky in October 1962. Norris Leakey was indeed a member of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club and lived at 78, Station Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. This house is a Grade 2 listed house, built in the Victorian railway era very close to Broxbourne Station (formerly Broxbourne and Hoddesdon). Having lived near to this area I have driven in GZU-41 past the very house, which is a delightful Victorian semi-detached of large proportions, no doubt having a coach-house at the rear in its time.
Len Haffenden, a Canadian Millionaire of 1026 West Keith Road North, Vancouver, British Columbia acquired the car on 16 September 1992. The original bill of sale is in the car's history file. The history file has some interesting information about Len Haffenden, a gentleman of considerable repute (and letters) in his native British Columbia. He undertook a major mechanical restoration of the car including a full engine rebuild at vast expense.
Around March, 2005, GZU-41 re-crossed the Atlantic and found its way back to these shores, where after a short spell in limbo, it was acquired by one Mr Charles Bayer who had fitted a complete stainless steel exhaust system; all new (and correct) exhaust and inlet manifold studs; overhauling of the Autovac with new corks for the petrol reserve and fuel off tap; and period pillar-mounted spot light. Also a radiator overhaul with a new calorstat. An original Town Cap and steam valve to match was also sourced.
Packing, shipping, air freight economically priced and arranged to your door.
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£ 38,500
Euro 45,815
$ 59,675
Yen 4,620,000
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