25 August 2009

VINTAGE DELIVERY TO THE CHESTER GROSVENOR

  VINTAGE DELIVERY TO THE CHESTER GROSVENOR   

A trip out to the five star Chester Grosvenor always invokes a touch of nostalgia,  a hotel renowned as a place of timelessness, style and etiquette; a testimony to the finer things in life. For this reason, a 1939 Rolls-Royce ‘Wraith’ may not look out of place when she returns to the hotel, on 4th September 2009, to mark a special 70 year anniversary.  

This beautiful car which has recently been lovingly restored by local enthusiast Mr John Gratton, of Tilston, was originally delivered brand new to The Chester Grosvenor on 5th September 1939. Delivered all the way from the Rolls-Royce dealership ‘Jack Barclay’, at that time located on Hanover Sq. in London, she was delivered to the proud new owner, FD Firth Esq. who lived in Formby in Lancashire. Mr Gratton still has the original letter which was sent to Mr Firth. (see attached).  

“The car was delivered to Chester in rather a hurry, as the owner was concerned that the outbreak of war only two days prior, meant that London would become the target of bombing.” explained Mr Jonathan Gratton, the car’s owner.  
The car cost £1, 834 19s and 6d and with the cost of an average semi in the Southern counties being around £400, is an astonishing amount of money in today’s terms. The delivery from London to Chester added a further £4 10s.  Petrol that year cost one shilling 8d (approx 8.5p per gallon) and petrol was rationed due to the war, the ‘Wraith’ had an engine of 4257 cc, doing 18 miles to the gallon, so journeys must have been limited to special occasions.   
 
Mr Gratton acquired the car in the late ‘80s, she had spent 20 or so years of her life in Massachusetts, but had become derelict, undriveable and had a squirrels’ nest lodged in her interior. It took five years to restore her to her former glory.‘   (*House and petrol references – www.thisismoney.co.uk)  

Ends  

Notes to Editors

The Chester Grosvenor and Spa is a design-led five red star property situated in the centre of Chester, featuring 80 individually styled rooms and suites and a luxury spa, in addition to the Michelin-starred ‘Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor’ restaurant and the award-winning La Brasserie.  

The Rolls-Royce ‘Wraith’ was built by Rolls-Royce at their Derby factory during 1938 and 1939, and supplied to individual coach builders as a running chassis. The car featured an independent coil sprung front suspension, which varied with the speed of the car making it superior to its predecessor and on par with the Phantom III. Although the car was still built on a separate chassis this was now of a welded not riveted construction. The car could reach speeds of 85 mph (137 km/h) but this was dependant upon the weight and style of body fitted. 492 chassis were made.      
For further information or reservations contact The Chester Grosvenor and Spa on 01244 324024 or visit: www.chestergrosvenor.com  

For further information, photography or to arrange a review visit to the hotel, please contact:  
Sarah Proctor, Public Relations
Tel: 01244 895 844 Fax: 01244 895 627
E-mail:sarah.proctor@chestergrosvenor.com