The first Rolls-Royce in Queensland, chassis number 67HB, recently celebrated its 100th birthday with owners Mark and Michelle Jansen, of Oldtimer Australia.
The birthday bash at the couple’s classic-car showroom saw many of the 100 guests dressed in theme.
Vintage crockery, background jazz music, tea and home-baked scones set the scene, among beautiful cars and eclectic automotive memorabilia.
As was the norm with many Rolls-Royces then, it was shipped to Australia as a rolling chassis for a local coachbuilder to fit a body. Factory records confirm rolling chassis 67HB was completed May 31, 1923.
Peels Ltd of South Brisbane was commissioned to body the car in an elegant tourer style. This was the only Rolls-Royce ever bodied by Peels Ltd.
The chassis was sold by Rolls-Royce distributor Brisbane Motors to Tom Winterbottom, the licensee of the Hotel Carlton in Brisbane. He was reportedly a philanthropist.
The hotel was where Brisbane’s high society indulged. Winterbottom’s status meant his purchase of the first Rolls-Royce from the newly-appointed distributor featured in the The Brisbane Courier, Wednesday July 9, 1924.
The car has had several owners, including George Gilltrap, of Gilltrap’s Gold Coast Auto Museum, and Brisbane businessman and Rolls-Royce enthusiast, David Vann.
It underwent a restoratation in the 1990s.
Ms Jansen named the machine Rita on its 100th birthday, in honour of her grandmother. “If Grandma was alive today, she would’ve been pleased with our choice.” she said. “Rita the Rolls-Royce, has a definite ring about it.”
It’s currently on display at the Brisbane Motor Museum in Banyo.
Photography: Oldtimer Australia