An appealingly unusual car, its design harking back to an earlier era, with faux canework, opera lamps, etc. It is, however, correct and as built, but benefitting from much attention, including restoration work in the USA many years ago, and continued attention in the UK since its return here in the 1970s. This work included an engine overhaul by Brunts of Silverdale, including new cylinder head and block, steering box rebuild, and more besides. Comes with a large, informative history file. The paintwork is in very good order, sharp and smart, as is the interior - brown leather to the front and cream to the rear, in both cases with matching carpets. Even the headlining is leather! The car features louvred bonnet and scuttle, Carl Zeiss headlights, Lucas 'owl eye' tail lights, twin tubular blade bumpers front and rear and a rear-mounted spare wheel. Running well, lovely all round and offered newly MoT tested.
Chassis No. GMD36 Reg No. BGW 227
Snippets: Art & Jewels
The 1st owner of GMD36 was the socialite, heiress and scandalous Florence Evelyn St George, whose father was George Fisher Baker (1840/1931) the co-founder of today’s Citibank. During his lifetime he was on the board of 40 companies, held the majority of the Central Railroad stock. In 1918 the first Forbes Rich List was published & G. F. Baker was in joint 4th place with William Rockefeller with an estimated fortune of $150million, Nr 1 was John D. Rockefeller (William’s older brother) with a staggering $1.2billion. When George Baker died in 1931 the bulk of his estate was inherited by his son George with his two daughters gifted $5m each. In 1891, age 21, Florence Baker married the Irish land agent Howard St. George but by 1906 she had met the artist William Orpen (1878/1931) with whom she had a long-term liaison – and a daughter. Evelyn & her brother took annual trips to Paris to ensure they were dressed in the latest fashion and this of course included jewellery with Rene Lalique being commissioned to produce a choker with a lattice design of green glass cabochons on an enamel backing with diamonds set in each corner, this piece was later recut into a suite of bracelet, brooch and earrings with them being auctioned in 2020. There is a portrait of Evelyn by Orpen showing her reclining on her bed at Clonsilla in 1908 wearing the very choker. When she died in 1936 the auction house Sotheby’s were tasked with selling the contents of Cam House and this including artworks by El Greco, Goya, Cranach and of course works by Orpen. From 1958 / 62 GMD36 was with the noted architect & interior designer Sir Hugh Casson – his clients included Air Ministry (Camouflage Service) Royalty (Royal Yacht Britannia) (Buckingham Palace, Windsor, Sandringham), WH Smith, NatWest Bank & Glyndebourne. During the time GMD36 was with Sir Casson the car was used, like his earlier Rolls-Royce as an everyday car and the mascot was replaced several times after being taken as a trophy. During the 1970s GMD36 passed through the hands of Alan Clarke, author, diarist, MP & car enthusiast.
