History of Classic Cars

7 SEATER LIMOUSINE

Built in 1939 (1 of 491) originally owned by a Surrey business man before being used as Ilford Mayor’s car in the early 1950’s. The car was then bought by a north east company for use in their V.I.P. limousine fleet. Around 1970 the car was exported to the U.S.A. where it was bought by a business man in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In 1994 it returned to the UK and was purchased by an ex Manchester Police Chief and it's original UK registration mark FXP 474 restored by the DVLA. In 2000 the car was purchased by Classic Occasions for wedding and special occasion use. Since then the car has undergone much restoration to the mechanics, the body already having been restored.

7 SEATER LANDAULETTE

Also built in 1939 this car was originally owned by the Honourable Mrs Rochford-Maguire of St James in London then moved to new owner - the Coop in Glasgow in 1949 then in 1953 onto Sir W Benton Jones of United Steel Co in Sheffield. The trail goes cold around 1960 but it is believed that it also went to the U.S.A. and returned here in the 80's with two known owners in the south of England. In 1992 it was purchased from Coys in London by Paul Owram of John Fairest Funeral Directors in Sheffield who used it in their wedding fleet. Paul had a major restoration of the body and engine carried out during his ownership. Mr Rod Ibbotson took over that business in 2002 and the car was acquired by us in 2006.

Technical details:
Engine	4.25 litre 6 cylinder in line engine Crank shaft on 7 bearings for extra smoothness
Gears	4 forward (3 synchromesh) 1 reverse
Suspension	Leaf spring rear and front independent coil spring
Brakes	Front and rear drum brakes. Steel rope operated with mechanical servo assistance to front
Electrical system	12 volt charged by dynamo
Coachwork	Limousine: Made by Hooper of London Landaulette: Made by Barker of London
Top cruising speed	60-70 m.p.h.
Miles per gallon	11
Original price in 1939	Chassis - £1,450 Body - £1,600 Total £3,050 Equivalent to around £175,000 at 2005 prices
Recent service record:
July – Nov 2000	Complete brake overhaul with new brake and servo linings New front suspension parts (king pins, joints etc.)
Dec 2000	Chassis work and carburettor refurbished
Jan 2001	New windscreen and seals, quarter lights replaced
May 2001	Engine overhaul with re-bore and re-line of cylinders, little ends re-bushed, new pistons and valves, new condenser and points
Nov 2001	New cylinder head
Feb 2002	Overhauled windscreen wiper motor and running gear
March 2002	Renewed oil pressure and water temperature gauge Refurbished clock
May 2002	Converted to electronic ignition to increase efficiency of distributor and enhance reliability
February 2003	Refurbished leather door trim to front compartment and lock re-made
January 2004	New big end bearings made and fitted to engine
April 2004	Fitted re-manufactured clutch and thrust bearing
March 2005	Re-chromed all wheel nuts and trims. Re-painted wheel discs. Brakes checked for wear and adjusted.
August 2005	Overhauled central lubrication system. This system supplies oil to main bushes and joints of chassis each journey by driver depressing a pedal under dashboard.
October 2006	Replaced soft roof on Landaulette. All cars of this era had a 'soft' section in the main roof and not solid metal.
November 2006	Extensive chassis work carried out on Limousine.
Servicing and restoration is an ongoing job for the Wraiths to keep them in top mechanical order and appearance.