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This unique Rolls-Royce started life as a Barker-bodied landaulet commissioned by the American banker, J Pierpoint Morgan II, who served as the United States Ambassador to the Court of St James at the time of its delivery's. Like Morgan's Phantom tourer, also bodied by Barker, 'GNS45' featured the side-mounted spare wheels and scuttle-top sidelights typical of contemporary US-bodied Rolls-Royces. Registered in Hertfordshire, where Morgan owned Wall Hall, Aldenham, the 20/25 remained with its American owner until 1942 when it was offered for sale by Rolls-Royce specialists Alpe & Saunders.
Its second owner was another member of the merchant banking establishment: Herman Andreae, a partner in Kleinwort, Sons & Company, and it was he that commissioned the shooting brake conversion from coachbuilders James Young of Bromley. Barker's bonnet, front wings, scuttle panel, and patented headlamp dipping mechanism was retained with the walnut dashboard and original controls. At the same time, James Young's van-like timber-framed rear body was nothing if not supremely practical, being equipped with multiple hooks for hanging dead game.
Herman Andreae owned Moundsmere Manor near Basingstoke, Hampshire, where his newly converted Rolls-Royce was used as an estate hack for shooting parties, towing the horsebox, and general domestic duties. Though always chauffeur-driven, it's classed as a dual-purpose vehicle, the shooting brake qualified for an extra fuel allowance and an essential consideration in wartime.
