Rolls with a colourful history up for sale at Brooklands

| 22 May 2013

A 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I EX that was used as a high-speed test car is expected to make £68-78,000 at Historics’ 1 June sale.

The car completed 90mph runs in France, before being involved in a serious accident that left one of its occupants dead.

The remains of the Royce were returned to Derby where the chassis was rebuilt and fitted with a Barker Continental Torpedo-Tourer body.

It then started a new life as an official demonstrator, during which time it played host to dignitaries such as Prince Christopher of Greece.

In 1931, it was rebodied again to its current Hooper-Limousine configuration.

Still fitted with its original engine, the car comes complete with an expansive history file documenting its exploits.

A 1962 Triumph TR4 can also claim an interesting past, this time policing the roads of 1960s Britain.

Expected to make £35-40,000, the TR4 comes fitted with police signs, a Pye radio, Winkworth bell, air horns, reversing lamp and a windscreen-mounted spotlight.

Discovered in a dilapidated state by its current keeper, the Triumph was restored to its original condition with the help of Superintendent Bill Burles who served in the car during the ’60s.

A 1918 American LaFrance – valued at £42-48,000 and sporting a 14½-litre engine – could serve as the perfect vintage getaway car.

The LaFrance was imported into the UK in the 1980s, whereupon it gained its speedster body.

Having competed in a number of UK and European rallies, the car returned to the South East of England where it was restored to deliver reliable performance.

It now features a push-button start, a German nickel silver radiator, plus an aluminium bonnet.

View the full lot list on the Historic at Brooklands website.