From its inception in 1904 through the onset of World War II, Rolls Royce was universally regarded as the builder of the very finest automobiles. The cars created during this era were "coach-built" in that separate, Rolls Royce-authorized shops built exquisite bodies designed to satisfy the wishes of individual buyers. Accordingly, rarely were any two Rolls Royces identical.

For some owners, Rolls Royces were so special that rather than trade them away after years of use, on occasion the older bodies were discarded to be replaced by "special" bodies. For those who enjoyed the sporting life, the "Shooting Brake" (British for "woodie") became just the thing. For touring a grand estate, transporting the family to a cricket match, or traveling on a cross country expedition, there was simply nothing else like these ruggedly stylish, hand crafted "one off" vehicles.

It is believed that approximately fifty Rolls Royce Shooting Brakes were made. Today, approximately half that number survive. At the height of his career, Andy Warhol owned one. Andy's was sold years ago for around $750,000. Earlier in the century, King Edward VIII used his Rolls Royce Shooting Brake to secretly shuttle Wallis Simpson into Balmoral Castle. In one of the most fabled romances in history, the Shooting Brake played a critical role in the lives of the couple later to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

The car being sold here, serial # GRW34, started out as a 1933 Rolls Royce sedan bodied by Corsica. After WW II, the original body was replaced by the Shooting Brake body crafted in the Channel Islands by Jersey Coachbuilders. An abundant file includes many documents tracing the history of this unique, and quite wonderful, vehicle.

In the 1950's, GRW 34 was purchased from Rolls Royce in London by Mr. And Mrs. Logan Lewis of Macon, Georgia. Dedicated automotive enthusiasts, the Lewis' maintained a stable of outstanding cars including an ex-Fangio raced Maserati and a Jaguar SS 100. Documents that come with the Rolls include letters by the Lewis' describing their "thrilling" journey picking up the Shooting Brake on the New York City docks and driving it down to Macon.

Mr. Lewis passed away in the 1960's when his widow sealed the garages where their cars were stored. A discovery of the collection was made in the late 1980's and several of the cars sold. The afore-mentioned Maserati went on to win major awards including at Pebble Beach.

The current owner met with Mrs. Lewis in the 1980s but was only able to acquire the Shooting Brake following her passing in 2002. Over the last seventy years, GRW34 has had only two owners.

Once acquired by the current owner, it was decided that after the long period of storage, the engine should be properly and expertly re-built. The work was performed by Pierce Reed, one of the finest Rolls Royce specialists in existence. Today, the car runs beautifully. The wood is solid and all original. The interior and engine compartment have a fine patina. In recent years, it has appeared in approximately half a dozen automotive concours, winning a major award in each. These honors include Best Unrestored Car, Best Rolls Royce, People's Choice and Best in Show. GRW34 is garaged in Connecticut.

Please note: The Flying Lady radiator cap shown in the photographs does not come with the car as it was misplaced some time ago and has not been found. The radiator cap on the car currently is original to this car and was used by owners who, for whatever reason, preferred the car to have a more understated appearance. Original Rolls Royce 20/25 Flying Lady radiator caps can be found online where prices average $1,000. The car does have a vintage Owner's Manual, hand crank, wheel cover wrench and other tools. Two vintage wicker picnic baskets are included. An extensive file of documents from the very building of the car in the 1930's through the conversion into a Shooting Brake is included. There is also a series of correspondences between Mr. Logan Lewis and the Rolls Royce London dealer (Jack Barclay) when Lewis purchased the car and then drove it from the port of New York to his home in Macon, Georgia.

FYI: The car was road-tested Sunday, May 9th and ran excellently. The engine ran smoothly and quietly without shimmies or shakes. The car is garaged and being sold from the owner's home in Connecticut. Although the buyer is responsible for the cost of transporting, the owner is willing to assist in any way possible.