The Steeple Times

Tag: Rolls-Royce

  • A Corgi Classic

    A Corgi Classic

    The “Corgi” Rolls-Royce sells for £4 million

     

    Yesterday, at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale at Goodwood, near Chichester, a 1912 Rolls Royce Double Pullman Limousine achieved over double the estimate when it sold for £4,705,500.

     

    Considered to be one of the rarest Rolls-Royce cars in existence, this 100-year old vehicle acquired the “Corgi” name in the 1960s when toymakers Corgi® copied it as part of their range. Undoubtedly the most recognisable Rolls-Royce “Silver Ghost” produced, it now is thought to be the only car of its type left in the world.

     

    The 1912 Rolls-Royce Double Pullman Silver Ghost Limousine, registration “1912 RR”
    A Corgi® model of the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

    Designed in the style of a Pullman railway carriage, this 40/50hp 7.3 litre masterpiece was delivered new to John M. Stephens of South Croydon, a known connoisseur of Silver Ghosts, and then passed through the ownership of John C. Sword and Denis de Ferranti in the UK and Richard Solove and most recently John M. O’Quinn in the USA. The vehicle came to auction following the death of Mr O’Quinn, a lawyer who also owned the 1975 Ford Escort GL once owned by Pope John Paul II and John F. Kennedy’s 1962 Lincoln Continental Bubble Top Limo, in a car crash in Houston, Texas.

     

    Of the “Corgi,” James Knight of Bonhams commented:

     

    “Back in those days, customers would buy the engine and chassis and would employ coach builders to do the bodywork. The first owner of this car hired the best coach builders of the day and the car epitomizes the upper echelons of Edwardian society.”

     

    What makes this vehicle especially rare is that it is in perfect condition. Most similar vehicles were converted into ambulances during the First World War and suffered inglorious fates. Whoever purchased this car has undoubtedly added a treasure to their collection.

     

    For more information, contact Helen Buckingham of Bonhams on +44 (0) 20 7468 5870 or go to: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20143

  • Vincent Tchenguiz

    Vincent Tchenguiz

    This Mayfair based property tycoon was born in Tehran and owns a Mangusta motor yacht named “Veni Vidi Vici” (“I came, I saw, I conquered”). His Rolls-Royce Phantom, numberplate “2V,” is often spotted outside London’s finest establishments and an SFO investigation into his business affairs has now been sensibly put to bed.

  • The Miracle of Winslow

    The Miracle of Winslow

    Stowe Opera’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’ at Winslow Hall

     

    In July 2012, the Stowe Opera Company will perform Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro in the grounds of Winslow Hall in Buckinghamshire.

     

    The Stowe Opera Company was founded in 1995 by the renowned musician and conductor Robert Secret and originally performed in the grounds of Stowe School. The company’s repertoire has included Don Giovanni, Figaro, Don Carlos and Madam Butterfly and The Times described their musical standards as being: “A bit of a miracle.”

     

    Winslow Hall, Winslow, Buckinghamshire, MK18 3HL

    Winslow Hall itself is a perfect backdrop for such a performance and here the company will perform on six dates:

     

    Saturday 21st July at 6.00 pm

    Sunday 22nd July at 3.00 pm

    Wednesday 25th July at 6.00 pm

    Thursday 26th July at 6.00 pm

    Saturday 28th July at 6.00 pm

    Sunday 29th July at 3.00 pm

     

    Each evening performance will have a 90-minute supper interval whilst the Sunday matinees will have a 30-minute interval. Tickets are £60 per person. For the comfort of the audience, the stage and auditorium will be covered by a performance marquee and seating will be tiered for optimum viewing.

     

    Winslow Hall itself is a fascinating Grade I listed house that the architectural commentator Marcus Binney described as being: “A trophy without rival… The Rolls-Royce of English domestic architecture.” Built to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren, the property has variously been a school, an office for RAF Bomber Command and an antiques showroom.

     

    Restored as a private house by Sir Edward Tomkins, the former British ambassador to the Netherlands, and his wife following their purchase of it in 1959, Winslow Hall was offered for sale in May 2007. It was rumoured that the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, were to buy the house but ultimately it was sold to the former restaurateur Christopher Gilmour and his delightful Australian wife, Mardi.

     

    The Gilmours, like previous custodians, generously allow the annual Winslow Show to take place each August opposite Winslow Hall and now with the arrival of the Stowe Opera Company, the building really is making it’s mark culturally also.

     

    As Steven Berkoff once commented:

     

    “A great opera house isn’t run by a director, but by a great administrator.”

     

    Christopher Gilmour is indeed such a man and do I suspect that this will be a festival that should not be missed.

     

    For further information and to book, call +44 (0) 1280 848275 or go to http://www.stoweopera.com or contact Christopher Gilmour at [email protected]

  • Scott Disick

    Scott Disick

    This reality television star commented of himself: “I may be a douche to some people, but I actually do run companies. I make a lot of money, and I’m more than capable of supporting myself.” The father of a child by Kourtney Kardashian, Disick owns a restaurant in New York’s Meatpacking District, generally sports Tod’s and boasts an extensive car collection. Sadly one is chrome wrapped.

  • Absolutely FABulous

    Absolutely FABulous

    The sale of the most FABulous model vehicle

     

    Pimlico Road’s Gauntlett Gallery currently has the perfect present for any aspiring Eloise on display in their showroom.

     

    The ½ scale replica of Lady Penelope’s FAB1 – all one needs is one’s own Aloysious “Nosey” Parker

     

    A ½ scale model of Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward’s FAB1 amphibious Rolls-Royce is currently being marketed by the company and represents quite possibly the finest example of any replica of this car made famous by the Thunderbirds science fiction television series.

     

    The car’s leather clad interior

    Priced at £15,000, this brilliant creation of a British mechanic took some 7 years to build and features an electrically adjustable electric leather seat, functioning wipers and a walnut dashboard. Complete with a Spirit of Ecstasy replica model, this 108 inch long by 43 inch vehicle is just waiting to find it’s very own “Nosey” Parker.

     

    For more information contact Richard Gauntlett of The Gauntlett Gallery, 90 – 92 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8PL. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7824 8000. Website: http://www.gauntlettgallery.com

  • Singing for a Diamond

    Singing for a Diamond

    Music fit for The Queen

     

    In recent days, Gary Barlow’s albumn Sing has topped the UK album charts with sales of 40,000 copies.

     

    Two hundred and ten musicians, including the African Children’s Choir and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Band, helped record this special tribute to The Queen. Produced by Barlow with the assistance of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gareth Malone, Sing also features Prince Harry on the tambourine, Hayley Westenra, Alfie Boe and the Military Wives choir. Sing will be performed this evening at a special concert at Buckingham Palace in the presence of Her Majesty.

     

    Another tribute I was alerted to came from a singer named Anton Lorien who contacted me via Twitter. He was approached in 2011 by the British Monarchist League who asked him to produce a song for a lady he describes as having: “Given her life selflessly to the people of Britain and the Commonwealth.”

    Mr Lorien’s song, Like A Diamond, is available to download on iTunes but I wholeheartedly recommend that you watch the video clip available above. It contains some wonderful footage of The Queen and the clip at 3:33 where our Monarch runs to watch her racehorse is especially worth seeing.

     

    Gary Barlow pictured with Prince Harry on the tambourine working on Sing

     

    Both Sing and Like A Diamond capture the feelings of our nation brilliantly. Be sure to sing along tonight.

     

    For more information about Anton Lorien’s Like A Diamond, go to: http://www.antonlorien.com

     

    For more information on Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band’s Sing, got to: http://www.jubileesing.com

  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the Commonwealth Realms

    Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the Commonwealth Realms

    Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II  governed as constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states and headed the 54-member Commonwealth of Nations. Supported by her gaffe prone husband, “Brenda,” as Private Eye nicknamed her, served steadfast through good times and bad. She liked to drive a little quickly when given control of the wheel of a Range Rover and also found washing up relaxing. This monarch like no other will never be forgotten.

     

  • Peregrine Heathcote

    Peregrine Heathcote

    Peregrine HeathcoteThe youngest ever student at the Heatherly College of Arts, Peregrine Heathcote has morphed from portrait painting to a focus on something a little more Gatsby-esque. He grew up on Cheyne Walk and now lives in the country with his charming wife, Louise. This Old Harrovian’s stunning paintings hang in some of the finest collections and when he’s not with his easel, Heathcote is either turning his hand to redeveloping properties or collecting clocks.

     

  • Andrew Davis

    Andrew Davis

    He was labeled “Baron Von Essen” but evidence of his pedigree failed to surface. Starting in 1990, this buccaneer built up a collection of 26 luxury hotels but the £300m empire, developed with loans from bankers who plainly asked very few questions, collapsed in 2011. Since then, instead of quietly going to ground, he’s bought a Rolls-Royce from his friend Michael Winner and appeared at quite a few parties. Watch out: “The Talented Mr Davis” is plainly plotting his next move.

  • A Thunderbird that has yet to go

    A Thunderbird that has yet to go

    An iconic home that has periodically been for sale for some 7 years with hardly any variation in the price asked for it (more…)