|
With all the famous marques built
for the English masses long gone — Austin,
Wolseley, Riley, Morris, Triumph, Singer, Hillman,
Sunbeam (the list seems endless) — Britain
now concentrates on luxury cars that are appreciated
throughout the world. Many, like Rolls-Royce,
Bentley, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Daimler, go
back 50 to 100 years. Most have associated with
Connolly Leather, fine woods, precision quality
and high prices. The cars that the aristocracy
own, then and now, are elegant automobiles inside
and out. The "upper crust", the royalty
and the rich demand something worthy of their
social positions. Their Rolls-Royces and Bentleys
signify "old money" and "breeding".
Jaguars and Daimlers seem to shroud successful
business types in dignity and respect. Aston Martins
and Lotus say, "I am rich and enjoy a good
time."
Having owned one or more examples from each of
these three groups, I have proven that you don't
have to be rich to steal their air of "I
am better than you". Good used examples are
available and I have no doubt that you can put
one in your garage. You might be surprised at
the price of a 20 year old Rolls-Royce and they
can often be found with less than 50,000 miles
on them. Well maintained ones are reliable and
the cars provide a "ton" of fun.
Do your research. Search through sales literature,
press kits and books to determine what interests
you.
 |
| ROLLS-ROYCE |
|
| Click
on thumbnail for larger view & description |
|
| |
1912/13 |
1924 |
1928 |
| |
|
|
1934/35 |
1967 |
1969 |
| |
|
|
1975 |
1979 |
2002 |
| |
|
|
|
| BENTLEY |
|
| Click
on thumbnail for larger view & description |
|
| |
1960 |
1967 |
1979 |
| |
|
|
1982 |
1984 |
1984 |
| |
|
|
1989 |
1992 |
1994 |
| |
|
|
|
| ASTON
MARTIN / LAGONDA |
|
| Click
on thumbnail for larger view & description |
|
| |
1940 |
1959 |
1972 |
| |
|
|
1978 |
1979 |
1996 |
| |
|
|
1999 |
2002 |
2003-95 |
| |
|
|
|
| JAGUAR |
|
| Click
on thumbnail for larger view & description |
|
| |
1950 |
1955 |
1957 |
| |
|
|
1957 |
1958 |
1963 |
| |
|
|
1967 |
1968 |
1969 |
| |
|
|
|
| LOTUS |
|
| Click
on thumbnail for larger view & description |
|
| |
1971 |
1973 |
1973 |
| |
|
|
1973 |
1976 |
1976 |
| |
|
|
1977 |
1978 |
1983 |
| |
|
|
And the following books are just a few resources
for learning more about British cars.
|
| BOOKS
ON BRITISH CARS |
|
| Click
on thumbnail for larger view & description |
|
| |
|
|
AUTOCAR ROAD TESTS (England), 1951 |
MOTOR ROAD TESTS (England), 1954 |
MOTOR ROAD TESTS (England), 1956 |
| |
|
|
MOTOR ROAD TESTS (England), 1957 |
PATRICK MOTORS GROUP - 1930-1980, Patrick
Motors Group Limited, 1980 |
ASTON MARTIN AND LAGONDA,
Michael Frostick, 1977 |
| |
|
|
BACKGROUND TO VICTORY,
Aston Martin, 1955 |
BRIEF OUTLINE OF JAGUAR,
Jaguar Cars Ltd., 1971 |
ILLUSTRATED JAGUAR
BUYER'S GUIDE, James
Hoehn, 1984 |
| |
|
|
JAGUAR XJ6: 1968-1972,
R. M. Clarke, 1972 |
JAGUAR XJ6: 1973-1980,
R. M. Clarke, 1981 |
JAGUAR XJS: 1975-1980,
R. M. Clarke, 1980 |
| |
|
|
AUTOSPORT FILE: LOTUS 1988 |
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF
ROLLS-ROYCE, 2004 |
TWENTY YEARS OF
CREWE BENTLEYS, 1973 |
| |
|
|
FROM CHARIOT TO CAR,
Robert J. Priest, 1930 |
ROLLS-ROYCE CATALOGUE:
1910-11, Rolls-Royce
Limited, 1973 |
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CAR,
Anthony Bird and
Ian Hallows, 1966 |
| |
|
|
ROLLS-ROYCE: FACT
AND LEGEND,
C. S. Shoup, 1971 |
ROLLS-ROYCE: THE
ELEGANCE CONTINUES,
Lawrence Dalton, 1973 |
ROLLS-ROYCE: THE
HISTORY OF THE CAR,
Martin Bennett, 1974 |
| |
|
|
ROLLS-ROYCE: THE
STORY OF THE BEST CAR,
Peter Garnier and Warren Allport, 1977 |
SPIRIT: CELEBRATING 75
YEARS OF THE
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTORCAR,
Ken Dallison, 1979 |
STORY OF ROLLS-ROYCE
AND BENTLEY MOTOR CARS, Rolls-Royce Motor
Cars Limited, 1985 |
| |
|
|
SILVERSTONE '86 GOLDEN JUBILEE BENTLEY DRIVERS
CLUB, 1986 |
TWENTY SILVER GHOSTS, Paintings by Melbourne
Brindle/Text by
Phil May, 1971 |
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: ROLLS-ROYCE FINAL
FIFTY, 2002 |
| |
|
|
After you have thoroughly investigated
the various makes, models and years, we would
like to hear your thoughts. Better yet, let us
see a photo of the results — your purchase!
|
