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In France, "Woodies" had considerable snob appeal, and Franay rebodied several Rolls-Royces in the late forties, as well as this 1937 Hispano-Suiza K6 "Break de Chasse" (Shooting Brake) conversion completed in 1948. The original owner purchased a '37 sedan (#15121), but at the time, shooting brakes became all the rage for the sportsman set, so he returned his car to Franay to create this stunning "Woodie." Amazingly, the wood is still all original, but restoring the interior was a significant undertaking, as the seats are upholstered in eight water buffalo hides. To get eight water buffalo hides, the restorer had to travel to Pakistan, buy eight water buffalo, and butcher and skin them in the country because exporting live water buffalo is a crime. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Photographed at the 2018 Concours d'Élégance is this 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Shooting Brake. If more is known about any of these "shooting brakes," please comment. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Although Rolls-Royce's acquisition of Bentley Motors in 1931 robbed the latter of its independence, it did at least ensure the survival of the Bentley name. Launched in 1933, the first of the 'Derby Bentleys,' as they would come to be known, continued the marque's sporting associations but in a manner even more refined than before. Even W O Bentley himself acknowledged that the 3½-Litre model was the finest ever to bear his name. Based on the contemporary Rolls-Royce 20/25hp, the 3½-Litre Bentley was slightly shorter in the wheelbase and employed a tuned (115bhp) twin-SU-carburettor version of the former's overhead-valve six. Add to this already excellent package an all-synchromesh four-speed gearbox and servo-assisted brakes. The result was a vehicle offering the driver effortless sports car performance in almost absolute silence. As it was swiftly dubbed, 'The Silent Sports Car had few peers as a tireless long-distance tourer, combining as it did traditional Rolls-Royce refinement with Bentley performance and handling. The 'Derby' Bentley was, of course, an exclusively coach-built automobile and as befitted its sporting nature was almost always fitted with owner-driver saloon or drophead coupé coachwork, the 'standard' designs being the work of Park Ward Ltd. Of the 2,442 examples manufactured (including the subsequent 4¼-Litre model) Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder bodied almost 50%. Delivered new in May 1935 to Col Charles Julius Hirst of Renfrewshire, chassis number 'B80DG' originally carried two-door, drophead coupé coachwork by Hooper & Co. Subsequently, the car was re-bodied with the current timber-framed and paneled shooting brake coachwork by Jones Bros of Bayswater, West London, in 1937. The current owner purchased the Bentley in the USA from a gentleman who had inherited it from his grandfather, the latter having bought it from another gentleman in Canada. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Since Rolls-Royce never actually made any "Woodie" Wagons, this particular car started life as a custom-bodied four-door sedan. It undoubtedly served as reliable transportation for some well-to-do English families for the first 11 or 12 years of its life. Shortly after World War II, a group of fraternity brothers from Yale University decided to spend the summer touring England. They purchased this car to use as their transportation while there. When the time came to return to the US, these young men decided that their Rolls purchase was such a great car that they'd ship it back to the States and continue using it. As the story goes, this Rolls provided many years of loyal service to these young men as the frat house "drunk bus" shuttling intoxicated frat brothers around to the local New Haven bars and safely back home. Unfortunately, the car spent a freezing night outside without antifreeze at some point, which resulted in a frozen and busted engine block. It then spent some time languishing behind the frat house until the current owner purchased it in 1979 and began slowly transforming into what you see today. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Hugh Chisholm, whose father came to the US from Strathglass Carries, Scotland, was a wealthy entrepreneur in the East Coast paper, railroad, power generation, and airline industry. He bought vast land near the Potomac River and built his estate, called Strathglass. He also owned one of the largest yachts on the Potomac and used it to entertain the most powerful men in Washington, including presidents. In 1934 he bought a new Ford chassis and had this unique "Woodie" wagon constructed to shuttle guests to his yacht. Crucible Steel Company carried out the extension; the 100% oak body was built by Olson Extension Company near Detriot. It seats up to 13 people with room for luggage and what appears to be a custom tailgate ramp for a wheelchair, which is suspected may have been designed to accommodate President Roosevelt. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Chassis GEX77 started off life as a Hooper enclosed limousine for Sir Louis Pearson of Nottingham. At some stage during the '50s or '60s, this body was replaced with a "Woodie" shooting brake style body, and then in 1973, GEX77 was purchased by Neil Young of Crosby Stills and Nash Fame at Antiques World in Fulham, London. During his ownership, he was photographed on numerous occasions in and around London. He used GEX77 extensively to travel up and down the U.K. and even as far afield as the Netherlands with his bandmates, once describing it as a "Rolls-Royce Wembley!" Such was his love for this Rolls-Royce; he proceeded to own it for 30 years and even imported it to San Francisco in the late '70s, where he had it restored. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This car is featured in the film "Kings Speech." Chassis B3BL, this 1934 3 1/2 litre was originally a Park Ward Drop Head Coupe, for Alexander Duckham (oil) later replaced by this shooting brake body by unknown. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25, serial No. GRW34 started life as a sedan bodied by Corsica Coachworks of North London. Because of the quality and value of a Rolls-Royce—especially in the prewar decades—many owners chose to rebody their cars following years of use, giving new life and an updated look to a perfectly serviceable chassis and drivetrain. A few owners decided to order shooting-brake coachwork for its utility on a grand estate or take the family on excursions into the countryside. This is precisely what happened to GRW34 following World War II, given its new body style from Jersey Coachbuilders in the Channel Islands. By the 1950s, it was purchased from Rolls-Royce in London by Mr. and Mrs. Logan Lewis of Macon, Ga., and stayed with the family for nearly half a century. The Lewis family owned a few significant cars, including a Jaguar SS100 and a Maserati by Juan Manuel Fangio. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 (chassis #GSY9) was initially fitted with sports saloon coachwork from Hooper & Co. before being re-bodied as a shooting brake during the war effort in 1941. The original cabin was reportedly recycled when the British government organized aluminum scrap drives to help manufacture aircraft and other armaments. A new five-door ash and mahogany body was subsequently commissioned from Mascot Motor Works in London. The car was imported to the US under previous ownership and has undergone a refurbishment in the past decade. It is now finished in Sage Green over tan Connolly leather and is powered by a 3.7-litre OHV inline-six backed by a 4-speed manual gearbox. Upgrades include a Gear Vendors overdrive, Pertronix ignition, and a modern diaphragm clutch. The selling dealer’s client purchased the car approximately ten years ago, and it was the recipient of a 1st place Pre-War Touring Division award from the Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Shooting Brake was photographed at the 2003 Lime Rock Vintage Race. This particular car (chassis no GRW34) started as a Corsica saloon and was later rebodied as a "Woodie." View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This 129-inch wheelbase 20/25 from 1932 has its origins as a 4-door saloon body. The shooting brake body style was designed to handle utilitarian chores of country living with Rolls-Royce style and reliability. Even though the body builder is unknown, this shooting brake body was expertly crafted and built in the era's style. The materials used were of the finest quality. The interior top slats were Bass Wood. The structure was high-quality maple, and the panels are mahogany. The expertly installed fabric top is still in excellent condition. As evidenced by the body plate, this Rolls was delivered new by dealer Jack Barclay, LTD of London. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

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. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This elegant Phantom II was originally delivered to S. C. Harrison of Birmingham, England, with a Weymann fabric saloon body. Shortly after that, it passed to cigarette magnate W. F. Player of Nottingham. In the 1930s, it was reborn in the present style, a luxurious station wagon or “shooting brake,” with beautifully constructed wooden bodywork. The coachbuilder responsible for the conversion has sadly had their name lost to history, though the work was undoubtedly performed to a professional standard, and the proportions are excellent. In 1962 the Rolls-Royce passed into the renowned collection of Lord Doune, the Earl of Moray. A descendant of King James V of Scotland, he was an avid automobile enthusiast whose museum this car shared with the Le Mans Alfa Romeo 2.9 aerodynamic coupe, Count Zborowski’s Hispano-Suiza, and other highly significant machines. Twenty years later, it was sold from the Doune Motor Museum to Charles Bickley, owner of Florida’s Woodie World museum, who had it restored in the present dark green finish and exhibited it for some years. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Around 1939, as World War II erupted across Europe, the patriotic Mr. Broadhead enlisted his faithful Rolls-Royce to assist the war effort. The military unceremoniously scrapped the rear limousine section and replaced it with a purposeful, albeit inelegant, ambulance body. Chassis GSR4 was put into service transporting sick and wounded soldiers from the local train station to the hospital, reportedly performing its critical duties without fault. After the war, the car returned to the possession of Broadhead and the Kirkheaton Mill. The ambulance body was removed, and a more suitable shooting brake body was fitted in its place. Credit for the coachwork goes to S. Pexton & Son, or more specifically, Harold Pexton, who directed woodworker Reuben Metcalf and blacksmith Leslie Walshaw to frame and skin the body. It then returned to service at the mill as a high-end delivery vehicle, transporting wool goods to clients and guests to picnics in the countryside. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

The coachbuilder is unknown of this 1929 20HP (chassis GEN36), and any assistance with information is appreciated. It featured in the Prelude d'Elegance 2010 and won 2nd Place Class A Pre-1945. Here it's photographed at the Capitol Concours d'Elegance 2010 Sacramento, CA. "The restoration took eight years full time after many years of research. The shooting brake coachwork has been brought back to correct style and fitting for a 1929 20HP" - John Carey 2010 View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

According to Rolls-Royce Foundation records, chassis number GX03 was sent to Park Ward on June 28, 1929, to fit its original coachwork, an enclosed limousine body, to the order of H.T. Turner, Esq. Sometime later, in the 1950s, the car was sent to Alpe & Saunders, a prominent hearse manufacturer in Kew, Surrey, between 1937 and the mid-1960s. Alpe & Saunders was responsible for this unique and stylish shooting brake body, essentially a comfortable British station wagon intended for carrying passengers and dogs on the hunt. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Ordered new by Andre Lazard of the French Banking family; this car is a very, very early 20/25 & was despatched direct Paris to be bodied by Henry Binder as a cabriolet. The Lazard family relinquished the vehicle in 1959 & the next owner kept the car for an astonishing 51 years before the current third owners acquiring it. During the war, the car was caught up in the turmoil of the German advance towards Paris & suffered severely, having been shot up with a machine gun. History does not relate if it were British, French, or German gunfire that did the damage. Immediately after the war, the car was disinterred from its slumber & sent back to Binder, where the current shooting brake body was fitted. The body is of beautiful construction with a stunning ribbed wood roof section & is well suited to estate duties. A useful gun rack is fitted to the rear along with fishing rod holders to the roof. It currently keeps the company in the garage with a 20HP cabriolet. The "Woodie" is often seen on its weekly trip to the refuse dump, whereas the 20 is used for more salubrious events. The rear door folds down & forms a functional picnic table secured by retaining chains. It was indeed used as a hunting car by the Lazard family. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This magnificent Phantom I, with its inline six-cylinder engine of 7,668 cc capacity, was initially completed with a limousine body by coachbuilders W H Knibbs & Sons Ltd of Manchester. It was sold to its first owner, the Rt Hon G Fryer, who kept the car until 1939. The Phantom was first registered in May 1928 as 'RY 3315', a Leicester mark. The shooting brake body said to be by Weaver is believed to have been fitted by Hooper during WW2 when the Phantom was used to ferry RAF repair crews and their tools to stricken aircraft. '84FH' was next recorded in 1953. It belonged to Mrs. Mirabel Topham, whose family owned Aintree racecourse, home of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase, and stayed in the family's possession until 1984. In 1953 Mrs. Topham opened a new racetrack within the established Grand National course, the Mildmay. The following year the Aintree motor racing circuit opened and soon gained the reputation as one of the best globally, hosting the British Grand Prix on five occasions between 1955 and 1962. Stirling Moss won there in 1955 to score his first Grand Prix victory, while Jim Clark won the '62 event. '84FH' was used extensively within the grounds of both the motor circuit and the racecourse and can be said to have been one of the UK's earliest 'safety' or 'pace' cars. Described as in superb condition, with excellent mahogany woodwork, the Phantom is grey/blue over black with a maroon interior. The latter is equipped with two occasional seats and a sliding internal division. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This 1927 Rolls-Royce Twenty featured wood shooting brake coachwork and received a multi-year restoration that began in the late 1980s. The car is finished in green with black fenders and is powered by a 3.1-litre inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes brown leather seats, a fender-mounted spare wheel, trafficators (British for a movable directional signal on a vehicle), painted wire wheels, ambulance-style rear doors, a windshield wiper, and sliding front door and side windows. It was listed on Bring A Trailer and sold for $77,510 on 4/16/21. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

The 1927 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Shooting Brake photos by A. A. McCloud & Sons were taken in Harewood, England. Unfortunately, not much else could be dug up about this car nor A. A. McCloud & Sons. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)