Archive photos of Chassis 20154 on previous London to Brighton Runs at the start at Apsley
Gate( left) and the finish on Madeira Drive( above). discourage enemy aircraft from landing.
Langton traced Binns and bought the car on 30 August 1950. What he had acquired was an extraordinary time capsule, with the mechanical and chassis components remaining remarkably original.
Langton and his brother Eric embarked on a fouryear restoration, readying 20154 for the 1954 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Registered U 44, it completed the journey with Langton.
During his ownership, Langton also added the Rolls-Royce badge to the radiator. The reason was wonderfully practical: he was tired of being asked,‘ What make is it, mister?’
In 1978 the precious car passed to its next owner, and its connection with the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run continued for several years.
The car was subsequently purchased at auction by Graham Mead in 2007. He acquired its earliest known M 612 registration plate. And then, three years ago, it came into the hands of its latest loving custodian, Dr Terry Bramall.
“ The chance of having the oldest Rolls-Royce in the world quite overtook me,” admits Bramall.“ I have three Silver Ghosts and also a modern Rolls-Royce, and my father always had Bentleys at the time when the two companies were aligned, so I’ ve always been a fan. When the opportunity came, I couldn’ t believe it. I felt such a privilege to be the owner of such a special vehicle.”
Having acquired 20154, Bramall quickly decided that it should be returned to its original 1904 appearance.
“ I thought, let’ s do it just as it came out of the Cooke Street factory in Manchester. The time spent on research was extensive and it really is as near as we could get in terms of every detail. It’ s been a real thrill and the result is very pleasing.”
Most noticeable of the meticulous project largely undertaken by Fairbourne Carriages in Kent after some initial mechanical work by restorers Chris and Ben Petty, is the recreation of the original Park Phaeton coachwork, now finished in its original shade of Primrose Yellow.
The result certainly impressed the judges at this year’ s Pebble Beach Concours, where 20154 was awarded top honours in the Antique class. Next stop is Brighton.“ I do enjoy driving it – it goes very nicely indeed – and I’ m now really looking forward to sharing such a wonderful piece of British automotive history with all those along the way on the Veteran Car Run.”
And that seems a fitting destination for a car whose life has been intertwined with the history of motoring from almost the very beginning.
Chassis 20154 is far more than an exceptionally rare veteran motor car. It is a tangible link with the moment when two extraordinary men combined their talents.
Rolls provided the vision, ambition and ability to sell the dream. Royce provided the engineering excellence that made the dream credible.
Together they created one of the greatest names in motoring – a reputation that would ultimately extend far beyond motor cars into aviation and, indeed, general parlance. Every great story needs a beginning. For Rolls-Royce, that beginning can be traced to Manchester, the Midland Hotel on 4 May 1904 and a handful of pioneering cars emerging from Royce’ s Cooke Street works. Chassis 20154 was one of them. More than 120 years later, it remains a living piece of the Rolls-Royce story – and once again, it is heading for Brighton.-
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