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With all the famous marques built for
the English masses long gone — Austin, Wolseley,
Riley, Morris, Triumph, Singer, Hillman, Sunbeam (the
list seems endless) — Britain now concentrates
on luxury cars that are appreciated throughout the world.
Many, like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Jaguar
and Daimler, go back 50 to 100 years. Most have associated
with Connolly Leather, fine woods, precision quality
and high prices. The cars that the aristocracy own,
then and now, are elegant automobiles inside and out.
The "upper crust", the royalty and the rich
demand something worthy of their social positions. Their
Rolls-Royces and Bentleys signify "old money"
and "breeding". Jaguars and Daimlers seem
to shroud successful business types in dignity and respect.
Aston Martins and Lotus say, "I am rich and enjoy
a good time."
Having owned one or more examples from each of these
three groups, I have proven that you don't have to be
rich to steal their air of "I am better than you".
Good used examples are available and I have no doubt
that you can put one in your garage. You might be surprised
at the price of a 20 year old Rolls-Royce and they can
often be found with less than 50,000 miles on them.
Well maintained ones are reliable and the cars provide
a "ton" of fun.
Do your research. Search through sales literature, press
kits and books to determine what interests you.
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| ROLLS-ROYCE |
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1912/13 |
1924 |
1928 |
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1934/35 |
1967 |
1969 |
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1975 |
1979 |
2002 |
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| BENTLEY |
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1960 |
1967 |
1979 |
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1982 |
1984 |
1984 |
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1989 |
1992 |
1994 |
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| ASTON
MARTIN / LAGONDA |
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1940 |
1959 |
1972 |
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1978 |
1979 |
1996 |
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1999 |
2002 |
2003-95 |
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| JAGUAR |
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1950 |
1955 |
1957 |
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1957 |
1958 |
1963 |
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1967 |
1968 |
1969 |
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| LOTUS |
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1971 |
1973 |
1973 |
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1973 |
1976 |
1976 |
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1977 |
1978 |
1983 |
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And the following books are just a few resources for learning
more about British cars.
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| BOOKS
ON BRITISH CARS |
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AUTOCAR ROAD TESTS (England), 1951 |
MOTOR ROAD TESTS (England), 1954 |
MOTOR ROAD TESTS (England), 1956 |
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MOTOR ROAD TESTS (England), 1957 |
PATRICK MOTORS GROUP - 1930-1980, Patrick Motors
Group Limited, 1980 |
ASTON MARTIN AND LAGONDA,
Michael Frostick, 1977 |
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BACKGROUND TO VICTORY,
Aston Martin, 1955 |
BRIEF OUTLINE OF JAGUAR,
Jaguar Cars Ltd., 1971 |
ILLUSTRATED JAGUAR
BUYER'S GUIDE, James
Hoehn, 1984 |
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JAGUAR XJ6: 1968-1972,
R. M. Clarke, 1972 |
JAGUAR XJ6: 1973-1980,
R. M. Clarke, 1981 |
JAGUAR XJS: 1975-1980,
R. M. Clarke, 1980 |
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AUTOSPORT FILE: LOTUS 1988 |
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF
ROLLS-ROYCE, 2004 |
TWENTY YEARS OF
CREWE BENTLEYS, 1973 |
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FROM CHARIOT TO CAR,
Robert J. Priest, 1930 |
ROLLS-ROYCE CATALOGUE:
1910-11, Rolls-Royce
Limited, 1973 |
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CAR,
Anthony Bird and
Ian Hallows, 1966 |
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ROLLS-ROYCE: FACT
AND LEGEND,
C. S. Shoup, 1971 |
ROLLS-ROYCE: THE
ELEGANCE CONTINUES,
Lawrence Dalton, 1973 |
ROLLS-ROYCE: THE
HISTORY OF THE CAR,
Martin Bennett, 1974 |
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ROLLS-ROYCE: THE
STORY OF THE BEST CAR,
Peter Garnier and Warren Allport, 1977 |
SPIRIT: CELEBRATING 75
YEARS OF THE
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTORCAR,
Ken Dallison, 1979 |
STORY OF ROLLS-ROYCE
AND BENTLEY MOTOR CARS, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited,
1985 |
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SILVERSTONE '86 GOLDEN JUBILEE BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB,
1986 |
TWENTY SILVER GHOSTS, Paintings by Melbourne Brindle/Text
by
Phil May, 1971 |
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: ROLLS-ROYCE FINAL
FIFTY, 2002 |
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After you have thoroughly investigated
the various makes, models and years, we would like to
hear your thoughts. Better yet, let us see a photo of
the results — your purchase!
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