Rolls Royce and Bentley Enthusiasts
Ranked #2,357 in Cars, #124,152 overall
Welcome all Rolls Royce and Bentley Enthusiasts
Paul and I discovered our love of Rolls Royce and Bentley cars shortly after our marriage in 1963. We were living in Johannesburg, South Africa at the time, a young couple trying to pay our rent and bills each month.
In our spare time you could see us at Grovenor Motors, the Rolls Royce and Bentley agent, checking out the cars in their showroom. Jack Baker, the sales manager, introduced himself to us and of course he could see how enthusiastic we were about his beloved cars. He soon started regaling us with stories on every visit. We just knew that one day we would own one of these incredible cars! Our enthusiasm grew as the years passed. We went to car shows, car clubs and learned all we could about these magnificent cars. Unfortunately, there wasn't a Rolls Royce and Bentley Owner's Club in South Africa then.
A Miracle! Our first Rolls Royce Motorcar
1954 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith
This miracle happened in 1972 when we bought our first 1954 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith which had been the Mayoral car for the Mayor of Johannesburg.In 1972 we heard that a 1954 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith was going to be auctioned. Of course we were very excited about this upcoming event. We had been scrimping and saving and by now we had our two beautiful daughters. We were determined that we were going to try and buy this car with our savings.
We arrived early for the auction. The "Car" was exactly what we envisaged. This was a tremendous step in our young lives, buying a Rolls Royce. We bought our dream car that day for R4,000. We had not inspected the car properly, or had it checked by a mechanic. Of course we were very proud of our purchase. We drove it home that day, just hoping it would fit in our garage, not what the gas consumption would be, or if we could afford any necessary repairs etc. etc.
Have You Ever Driven in a Rolls Royce?
"Flying Lady" - The Spirit of Ecstacy
Wonderful Memories
Enjoying this Magnificent Motor Car
We had endless fun with our beautiful car, but for a young couple with a new business and a young family, life was challenging in the finance department. We often recall the outings we had with family and friends. Driving our car as the bridal car for friends was one of the most enjoyable times in owning this magnificent Rolls Royce Silver Wraith.
Just driving my Mazda 323 became a pleasure with the world to see "My Other Car Is A Rolls Royce". What a great achievement!
Rolls Royce Parking Only Sign
1954 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith
Rolls Royce Silver Wraith
Our First Bentley and Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
A Handsome Pair of Cars in our Garage
This was the start of us owning many Rolls Royces or Bentleys over a number of years.
We bought a beautiful 1963 Bentley SIII from a farmer. It was painted all black. Jack Baker of Grovenor Motors, who by this time was a great friend, advised us to repaint this car in Bentley/Rolls Royce colors - Black over Grey. How proud we were of this car! Another few years later and we found another car, a 1970 Silver Shadow which was Silver. The previous owner had over-enthusiastically polished the car and damaged the paint. It needed to be repainted and we chose an unusual color from the Rolls Royce color chart, Peacock Blue. What a handsome pair of cars we owned!
Rolls Royce Gifts
The Next Best Thing To Owning One
Rolls Royce And Bentley South Africa
Interesting Information
Chris de Weerdt was born in The Hague, Holland 1933 and emigrated to the Union of South Africa during 1938 with his family. Chris started out as a toilet cleaner at Grosvenor Motors, Johannesburg and went on to become a motor mechanic working on Rolls Royces. He became President of the Motor Industries Federation.
Rolls Royce Silver Spirit
Invitation from Rolls-Royce International, Lausanne, Switzerland
This scroll invitation was hand delivered by Grovenor Motors. The Magnificent Rolls Royce Silver Spirit was being unveiled for the first time in South Africa. It was an invitation to be treasured and a day to be remembered.
Rolls Royce Silver Spirit Invitation
Invitation to a Rolls Royce Weekend
Grosvenor Motors & Mmbatho Sun Hotel & Casino
DRH 10024 Rolls Royce Corniche Cabriolet - 1971
Rolls Royce Weekend, 6th November 1982
Welcome to the Mmbatho Sun Hotel & Casino
Welcome Dinner
Menu fit for Royalty
Wines & Liquers with the compliments of
Intervino on behalf of Gilbeys
Bertrams Sherry, Bertrams Cabernet Sauvignon, Bertrams Ruby Port
TJ Schanderl
Hennessey Brandy
Dunhill Old Master Finest Scotch Whisky
Cigarettes by Dunhill & Monte Cruz Cigars by Dunhill
Chocolate by Harrewyns
Superb Unforgettable Weekend
Treated Like Royalty
Below are listed a few of the highlights of the weekend.
Friday, 5th November 1982
The Rolls Royce Camargue was unveiled on a raft in the swimming pool of the hotel.
Dinner and drinks for this very special occasion and celebration was set as a pavement Bistro in southern France.
Saturday, 6th November 1982
Champagne Breakfast - Pool Terrace.
Afterwards all cars departed in convoy for the Mafeking Museum and were welcomed by His Worship the Mayor of Mafeking.
Tea and cucumber sandwiches were served.
Lunch at the Poolside - Lamb Braai/Barbeque/Buffet
Afternoon was leisure time with choices of golf, tennis, squash or bridge.
Dinner, Dance and Cabaret with Judy Page and the resident band Love Supreme. Dress was formal black tie.
Sunday, 7th November 1982
Champagne Breakfast - Pool Terrace.
After a leisurely relaxing morning we all departed, some in convoy, to return to our homes. A great time was had by all.
Rolls Royce Camargue
The Rolls-Royce Camargue is a two-door coupé introduced by Rolls-Royce Motors in March 1975. The Camargue's body was built in London by Mulliner Park Ward and designed by automotive designer Paolo Martin at Pininfarina. The Camargue was Rolls-Royce's first post-war production model that was not designed in-house. When it was launched, the Camargue, which was the flagship of the Rolls-Royce cars, was the most expensive production car in the world.
Visit South Africa
Enjoy - It's Magical!
Beautiful South African Flags
and bumper stickers for your car
Exciting Times for Rolls Royce and Bentley
Rolls Royce and Bentley Owner's Club of South Africa
Bentley car club. Paul and I were very enthusiastic about forming this club to showcase these beautiful cars and meet their owners.
Soon we had many Rolls Royce and Bentley owners wanting to join the Rolls Royce and Bentley Owner's Club of South Africa.
At our first meeting, on a Sunday, we had 35 members join us for a drive in their luxury machines. We met at the Civic Center, in Sandton Johannesburg at 10 a.m. We spent our time meeting and greeting all the new members and their cars. We then drove in convoy to a restaurant to have a tasty lunch. Of course all conversations were focused solely on Rolls Royce and Bentley.
All members enthusiastically participated in recruiting friends and family who were Rolls Royce and Bentley owners to join our club. Every first Sunday of the month I chose a different place for members to meet, of course in their cars, and we always drove in convoy to a great restaurant for lunch. Everyone looked forward to these outings.
The Rolls-Royce and Bentley Owner's Club of South Africa is still active today.
Rolls Royce and Bentley Club of South Africa
Members enjoying their monthly meeting
All Rolls Royce and Bentley Club Members tell us that these meetings were some of the most memorable and enjoyable times spent.
The most pleasurable part of the meetings were making new friends, all with the same interest, their motor cars.
Restaurant owners started inviting the club to have our monthly lunches at their venues. We were always given a "Special Price", and excellent service. They knew that these lunches would bring repeat customers.
Rolls Royce And Bentley Owners Club of South Africa
Progress! Our Very Own T Shirts
Rolls Royce Making the News!
- Rolls-Royce Plans New Hub
- The burgeoning aerospace industry in Guaymas had its efforts validated recently when the venerable Rolls-Royce chose it as the site for its newest global purchasing office. At its Guaymas plant, Sargent's 95 employees keep the operation humming 24 ...
- Rolls-Royce Customers Dine On The Line
- CHICHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM ? June 4, 2012: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars welcomed more than 100 discerning customers to 'dine on the line' yesterday evening. The unique event, the first held in the history of the company, transformed the assembly hall into an ...
- Sir Michael Caine has ditched Rolls-Royce as 'too showy' in austerity times
- Actor Sir Michael Caine has ditched his expensive Rolex watch and Rolls-Royce because they are too 'ostentatious' for austerity Britain. By Rebecca Smith In an interview he said it 'did not feel right' to have such items when so many people were ...
- Spondon right back on track as they make short work of Rolls-Royce on day for ...
- IT was Spondon who went away feeling their season was right back on track after the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League's bottom two clubs met in what proved to be a short encounter at Rolls-Royce. A comprehensive nine-wicket win for the Locko Road ...
Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
The Most Recognized Car In All The World
Rolls Royce and Bentley Gifts
For Lovers of these Magnificent Cars
Great Excitement! Great Success!
Rolls Royce and Bentley Owners Love the Club
There was a great deal of work each month to make the club an enormous success. The daily phone calls from members and interested members were all the inspiration we needed. Most people wanted to be involved with getting the word out about the club. There were invitations to send out, name tags to make, and phone calls to confirm numbers for the lunches.
The first rate restaurants and hotels eventually were phoning me and inviting us to check out their restaurants.... each one trying to get our business. Menus were prepared especially for us, with different themes, and different food from different countries, and gifts were given for each member. Paul and I enjoyed the selection of the venues very much. This was an extremely fun time for us both.
The Love of Rolls Royce and Bentley
Starts at a Young Age - Introducing our Grandson Yudy
Our daughters loved going to the monthly club meetings with us. When the grandchildren came along, we soon had the whole family enjoying the club. Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible
Life is Beautiful!
A family picture of Paul and me, and our two beautiful daughters, Beverley and Felicity, enjoying our 1971 Rolls Royce Corniche convertible.
P.S. As perfect as this Rolls Royce is, they left out one important feature, a brush and comb set.
Enjoying the Open Car
Our Grandchildren Yudy & Estee
They just loved going in the open car.
Rolls Royce Poster from Zazzle
Rolls Royce Coffee Mugs
Enjoying our Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible
Even a Rolls Royce or Bentley
Looks better with Pinstriping
Rolls Royce and Bentley Guest Book
Thank you for reading my stories about the Rolls Royce and Bentley Owner's Club of South Africa.
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Phillyfreeze69
May 27, 2012 @ 1:11 am | delete
- I had the exhilarating pleasure of riding in the Beverly Hilton Hotels limousine which was a 1969 Silver Cloud model with a grey over pewter finish, burgandy leather seats, walnut trim cabin. The ride from LAX airport was as smooth as a babys behind!
Very interesting and educational lens for Rolls Royce and Benley enthusiasts...thanks for adding the video, it brought back a lot of fond memories!
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mihgasper
May 6, 2012 @ 2:52 pm | delete
- RR is the ultimate car. It has written success all over and if I will have a chance I will definitely buy one. Thanks for sharing your story!
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LubosLabik
Apr 13, 2012 @ 3:22 pm | delete
- These cars are royals among the cars :)
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d-artist Mar 1, 2012 @ 8:13 pm | delete
- What a great lens! and what a wonderful collection you have. When my mom got married(2nd) her fiance had a Black RR and then he bought a 1964 Silver cloud before they married. I use to be embarrassed driving in it because everyone stared at us...wish I had appreciated it more at the time..My lens on my Mom shows her sitting on the bumper of the Silver Cloud.
~d-artist Squid Angel Blessing~
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RomanticMe
Feb 13, 2012 @ 1:52 pm | delete
- What wonderful machines!
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WriterJanis
Feb 13, 2012 @ 1:13 pm | delete
- Really enjoyed your story.
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Rebeljohn
Feb 13, 2012 @ 11:52 am | delete
- Great Article i really enjoyed it thank you for posting it
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thesuccess
Feb 11, 2012 @ 6:56 am | delete
- They made record profits this year. There is something mythic about Rolls Royce!
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sunworld
Feb 10, 2012 @ 4:24 am | delete
- I loved your personal story and how you developed a life long attachment to Rolls Royces.
I too have been in S.Africa, Hawaii, and Az. and enjoyed my sojourn in each of these locations.
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AndyPo
Feb 2, 2012 @ 6:11 pm | delete
- Excellent lens. I'm a big fan, although I mostly drive a Daimler Super V8 at the moment (a "poor-man's Bentley" perhaps?)
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by bobbala
Clarise was born in Potgietersrust, South Africa. She married Paul in 1963 and had two beautiful daughters, Beverley and Felicity.
She was successf...
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