1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Rippon Saloon GAN52

Typical of Rippon. a wonderfully solidly built. interesting. slightly out of the ordinary saloon. with some lovely features. such as a double sliding sunroof. slide out map reading tray. umbrella holders. ivory door fittings. original notebook. vanity mirror. etc. Coachwork design incorporates 'trouser crease' wings. outward flared door bases. double access boot. and the car is equipped with a lovely set of correct lamps & horns. The leather is original. in light blue. in useable condition. showing its age. but harmonising with the internal window surrounds. also in blue. Paint is useable. some of it brushed. but ideally needs attention. Recent attention has included a full rewire in correct. cotton covered cable. at the same time incorporating flashing indicators as well as the original trafficator arms. Very sound. with excellent door fit and closure. mechanically good. driving nicely. a very good set of matching tyres. MoT tested. and all in all. and very appealing. useable car.

Chassis No. GAN52. Reg No. 711 YUU. £37. 00.

Snippets:

Frank Greathead took delivery of GAN52 in 1936 at his home “The Dawn” in Handsworth. The occupations of the Greathead family have been Bellows Makers. Goldsmiths. Gun-finishers. Engineers & Ventriloquists! During his lifetime Frank Greathead (1879/1965) had been a Cabinet-maker. proprietor of a furniture shop and an ironmonger. In 1929 Frank. his wife Mary and their son Norman took a cruise from Southampton to the Canary Isles on board the Otranto. A few years later Frank & Mary undertook another cruise this time in 1st class on board the Empress of Britain from New York to Southampton. The world cruises of the Empress were quite extraordinary the route was New York through the Mediterranean. along the Suez Canal to India. Bali. China. Japan. Panama Canal and back to New York. the minimum fee was $2. 00 but if you decided upon a suite with all the extra luxuries it could cost $16. 00! Frank & Mary's only child. Norman. died in 1932 aged just 26. By 1969 GAN52 was in the USA with Dr J. G. Martin of Old Town. Maine. the Dr was a car enthusiast who also had a PIII which he had imported in 1965. In 1976 GAN52 was with the Greenwald family. again in the medical profession this time as dentists. By all accounts Dr Greenwald was quite a character and prior to owning GAN52 had been involved in the acquisition of another Rolls-Royce – this car did not meet his standards and resulted in a court-case and the Greenwald's subsequent purchase of GAN52.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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