1952 LHD Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith HJ Mulliner Limousine LALW17

A rare and sought after left hand drive. long wheelbase. manual gearbox Limousine. in good. sound condition. and recently repainted to a fabulous standard in gorgeous midnight blue. and with appealing original interior – blue leather to the front and beige cloth to the rear. The quality of the paintwork can be seen in a couple of the photos above. Mechanically very good. driving nicely. and fitted with radial tyres. which suit the car well. Offered with French or UK registration. either of which should mean straightforward registering of the car in any EEC country. without VAT being due. Offered serviced. prepared and newly MoT tested. A lovely example.

Chassis No. LALW17. Reg No. 709 UXH. £49. 00.

Snippets: Russian Jewels. Rifles. Power & Mayflower Pilgrims:

In 1952 LALW17 was delivered to Mrs Helen M de Kay – widow of Sidney Gilder de Kay (1880/1948) of Olin Industries. Helen's father (Clarence McMurray 1857/1931) co-founded Olin Industries with Franklin Olin in 1852 & in time the company's portfolio included Western Cartridge & Winchester Repeating Arms “The Gun that Won the West – model 1873”. During her lifetime Helen amassed a serious collection of jewellery. artwork & furniture and after her death in 1966 the entire collection (including the Diamond Imperial Russian Crown which was worn by the last 3 Czarinas at their weddings) was auctioned by Parke-Bernet with the proceeds going to the de Kay Foundation. Helen de Kaye only kept LALW17 for a few years & in 1956 the Silver Wraith is shown as being with Mrs Annie L. Crawford - widow of George W. Crawford (1861/1935) founder of Columbia Gas & Electric. When George died 1935. he left his four-year-old daughter “Sunny” a fortune valued then at more than US$100 million. In 1966 Sunny embarked on her 2nd marriage to Claus Von Bulow who was later accused of attempting to murder her with an insulin overdose – this was later made into a film starring Jeremy Irons. In 1957 Annie Crawford married Russell B Aitken (artist & big-game hunter) who in 1949 was “High Gun” – the best skeet shooter in America. Annie died in 1984 and 2 years later Russell married Irene Roosevelt. 2nd wife & widow of John Roosevelt (youngest child of President Franklin D Roosevelt). The 3rd interesting owner of LALW17 was Stephen Dow Fuller - a direct descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller. the first physician in America who came to America aboard the “Mayflower”. Stephen's business ventures included Paradise Fruit Co (candied fruit). Alpex Computers and he was the founder of S. D. Fuller Investment Bankers.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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