Story and History

Complete body off restoration

Concourse prize winner

Near immaculate condition

We have here a really very special S3 whose complete body off restoration lasted 10 years with no expense spared in the process. Presented now in a beautiful pale green with beige leather piped in green.

Refered to in period as the 'Chinese Eye' alluding to the pretty shape of the front headlights, the pioneering design still has a futeristc appeal to it today.


A mere 79 of these cars were produced in RHD and ours was originally finished in shell grey with red leather. Delivered new in June 1965 to a Mr Glover her coachwork was carried out by

HJ Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd.


The two coachbuilders were amalgamated four years earlier in 1961 when Rolls-Royce purchased Mulliner's and moved them into the Park Ward Factory, Willesden North London, that Rolls-Royce had largely controlled since the 1930s.


Within the extensive file there are countless dated photographs that document the progress of her restoration including images from when she was in her pre-restoration condition, as well as all the invoices and worksheets detailing the work undertaken.


The quality of the finish has certainly stood the test of the few years that have elapsed since completion, although very few miles have been covered, the paint and chrome are both as if she was finished and put straight into a protective bubble.


Shut lines too are as precise as a dentist's drill, resulting in the smoothest and most crisp of door shuts. The spare wheel has never once left its well since it was fastened in with a brand new tyre as a final touch.


So good was the job completed she won a prize at the classic car show in Essen in 2014, following her completion in 2013.


There are quite a few nice modernising additions that were fitted during the restoration, subtly of course. There is connectivity for your phone or ipod to the retro looking radio which is connected to some quite marvellous speakers.


The quality of the sound produced is really quite brilliant and suiting to everything from Wagner to P-diddy.


The Chinese eye was always a contentious design and not unanimously loved in period, although we have always been fans. More recently however we are noticing an increase in the amount of compliments and appreciation they receive from visitors and friends.


Very few cars present as well as BC 34 XE and we look forward to being able to pass her on to her next loving keeper.