1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Saloon

27344K After two false starts that saw him abandon electric carriage manufacture and then attempt unsuccessfully to sell the built-under-licence Léon Bollée voiturette, Alexandre Darracq launched his first successful internal combustion-engined automobile in 1900. That first 6. 5hp single-cylinder voiturette was followed by a range of twins and fours, and the marque soon established a reputation for sporting prowess, setting a new world speed record of 109.

65mph in 1905 and winning the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup races. Dating from 1911, the Darracq tourer is powered by a 2,410cc four-cylinder engine driving via a three-speed transmission and shaft drive. The first date of registration recorded in the accompanying old-style logbook is 29th August 1934, the owner at that time being one Francois Pierre du Sauroy of Ampthill, Bedfordshire.

After a change of ownership in 1950 the vehicle was acquired by the Barker family in 1958 and restored by them before they moved, taking the car with them, to Jersey in 1974. While in Jersey 'A 7456' spent most of its time on display in the local motor museum. In 1991 the Barker family moved to Sussex and the car was purchased from Peter Barker by the vendor in October 1997.

Since then the car has made several outings and been kept in dry storage when not in use. Finished in blue/black with matching leather interior trim, it features brass oil lamps - one to the rear and two to the front - with a single Lucas carbide driving lamp and brass audible warning horn. Presented in very good condition throughout, this charming French Edwardian is offered with VCC Dating Certificate, 1911 Darracq handbook, old-style logbook, and Swansea V5 registration document.