Delivered to the dealers on September 9th 1939, one week after the declaration of war, and the guarantee was issued on the 12th, an interesting time to buy a new car! A very smart example of a late overdrive M series car, recently renovated, attractively finished in two shades of green, with tan leather interior, headlining, carpets and woodwork, all recent and excellent. The Park Ward body incorporates pontoon style wings, and a sliding steel sunroof. Has a new set of wheel discs, correct lamps, etc, and all of the chrome is in lovely condition. Running and driving well, and just about to be fitted with a new stainless steel exhaust system, MoT'd until October 2013. Rare and desirable. SALE AGREED

Chassis No. B83MX. Reg No. FXN 609. £65,000.

Snippets:

Delivered to London Metal Products in Ilford who were a subsidiary of the electronics firm of Plessey & Co. Founded in 1917 in Marylebone the company moved to Ilford in 1923 and became involved with the firm of Marconi to the extent that Marconi accounted for some 80% of Plesseys turnover. In 1939 the workforce of Plessey had reached 5,000 and since 1936 the firm had extended their production line to include Coffman starters for aircraft engines, Pesco fuel pumps, shell cases, aircraft parts and radio equipment. According to the chassis cards by 1944 B83MX was with Lt Col Anthony Petro whose family name had been changed in 1901by his father from Petrocochino. In 1950 the records show that B83MX was with non-other than Leo Genn, a British stage & film actor who at that time was in Italy filming Quo Vadis for which he was nominated for an Oscar for his role of Petronius. His film credits include Henry V, Caesar & Cleopatra, Red Beret, Moby Dick; Leo Genn acted in many Shakespeare plays –Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, Twelfth Night as well as being the narrator for many TV & radio productions. During WWII Genn was awarded the Croix de Guerre and later was an assistant prosecutor at the trial for Belsen War Crimes