From the collection of a distinguished gentleman 1925 Lanchester 40hp Tickford Saloon Coachwork by Salmons & Sons, Newport Pagnell Registration no. MB 9999 Chassis no. 1953 *Considered by many superior to the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost *Known ownership history *Present ownership since 1995 *Professionally restored with no expense spared 1996-2015 *Offered at a mere fraction of the restoration costs Footnotes: Lanchester recommenced civilian production after WWI with a single model, the luxurious 40hp, which was even more expensive than the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and rated every bit as highly, if not more so. The Lanchester 40hp had been launched at the London Olympia Motor Show in October 1919 and was intended to challenge the likes of Rolls-Royce and Daimler for the landed gentry and Mayfair carriage trade. Powered by a 6,178cc six-cylinder overhead-camshaft engine, driving via a Lanchester three-speed epicyclic gearbox, the Forty was capable of carrying the massive coachwork that its target market demanded. There were servo-assisted four-wheel brakes from 1924 and Lanchester's flagship was capable of accelerating from 5 to 78mph in top gear. With a rolling chassis price of £1,800 in 1925, it cost the equivalent of seven semi-detached houses. The Forty was produced from 1919 to 1929, although available to special order for a couple more years. Only 392 of these magnificent cars were built. They were owned by some of the world's richest and most famous, including the Duke of York (later King George VI), Prince Chichibu of Japan, Sir John Ellerman (reputedly England's richest man), Indian cricketer Ranji (the Maharaja of Nawanagar), and the fabulously wealthy Maharaja of Alwar. Somewhat surprisingly, the Lanchester 40hp also enjoyed a very successful racing and record-breaking career, setting a new 400km mark in 1924 of 157km/h (97.5mph). Originally fitted with Lanchester's own tourer coachwork, 'MB 9999' was first registered to a Mr O'Hanlon of Alderley Edge, Cheshire in 1925. The original body was replaced with a later Windovers limousine body in 1955. For the next 40 years 'MB 9999' was owned by the Jefferies family of Wilmslow, Cheshire who kept the Lanchester at their Commons Garage in Sandbach. In 1995 the car was purchased by the late gentleman owner from Brooks' auction at Ascot. In 1996 a complete mechanical and chassis rebuild was commenced at Arthur Archer's of Dunmow, with two new engine blocks cast. The large and unattractive limousine body was in very poor condition and not restorable. Fortuitously, a contemporary Salmons Tickford body from a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (chassis number '2095') came on the market and was purchased from Charles Howard. This Tickford body has a retractable leather roof opened by a winding mechanism, converting the car from saloon to a capacious tourer. The new body cost £24,000 and Wilkinson's of Derby's alterations to make it fit a further £52,676. The interior trim was entrusted to Dave Beswick who has done a wonderful job. His works cost £22,098 and the extensive history file also contains bills from Arthur Archer totalling £279,000. Costing £353,774 in total, this no-expense-spared restoration was completed in April 2015, 19 years after the project commenced. The result is a 1925 period-correct four-door saloon of considerable presence. In 2016 the owner's patience and dedication were duly rewarded when 'MB 9999' won The Lanchester Trust's Restoration Award, as evidenced by an attached plaque. That same year, the late owner contributed a lengthy article to the Trust's newsletter (number '33') describing the restoration in great detail (copy article on file, perusal recommended). The exceptional history file also contains the original buff logbook; old/current V5/V5C documents; engineering drawing and notes; and a photographic record of the rebuild: engine overhaul, body restoration, etc. Having completed its running-in miles, the Lanchester was shown at various events. It then remained unused for a few years before running a big-end bearing. The main bearing cap, con-rod and crankshaft will all require inspection and fettling before seeing active use once again. On a par with the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, but much rarer, this absolutely stunning and unique Lanchester 40hp is offered at a fraction of the restoration costs. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com