A rare Rolls Royce

When we think of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, we picture motorcycles travelling at tremendous speed over country roads and through villages.

But it wasn’t always that way. The first Tourist Trophy races, between 1905 and 1907, were for cars, not motorcycles. A pair of Rolls-Royce Light 20s, the only true early sports cars built by the fledgling Rolls-Royce company, were second overall. The following year, the 4.1 litre 100kmh pair won outright.

It was a remarkable record. And even more remarkable is that, 118 years later, a rare example of the breed now lives in Wairarapa, in the garage of Martinborough RollsRoyce enthusiast John Kennedy. The car, a 1905 four-cylinder RollsRoyce Light 20, is one of only two surviving examples of the model. It was the third such car to be built and was never raced.

When Rolls-Royce introduced their Silver Ghost model in 1907, the company ceased production of all other models, John said. No more than 40 examples of the Rolls-Royce Light, an early 20-horsepower model, were built. This car was originally restored in 1953 by Stanley Sears. It was acquired by John and Rae Kennedy in 1987 – and since then, the engine and running gear have been completely overhauled. It is still capable of speeds of up to 60 mph (100 kmh).

The Kennedys are active and enthusiastic members of the Wairarapa branch of the Vintage Car Club.

The racey little Roller will be on display in Masterton on Sunday, April 23 – after 45 Rolls-Royce and Bentleys converge on Masterton for the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Club’s 20th anniversary tour. The teams, hailing from Cape Reigna to Bluff, will be in Wairarapa for four days, based at the Solway Park Hotel.

There there will be a public showing and Concours judging on the Sunday.