| Author | Message | ||
     Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 904 Registered: 4-2016 |
Gents, My wife & I have been in Hong Kong for a week, and today we went for high tea at the Peninsula Hotel.  These guys have had Rolls Royce fleets in a number of their hotels world wide for many years, and I understand they are the biggest fleet customer of Rolls Royce since their fleets of: Shadows.  Spirits.  They even have a 1934 Phantom II  Most of us have seen or heard of their fleet of 14 Goodwood Phantoms.  Which after being there today I can tell you the above image is photoshopped, as there is just almost no room for this many cars on the fore court, but hey that does not matter, because this is what we did find in their limited space. Please enjoy the following images.        They now also have a fleet of Mini Clubman  A bit of a size difference here I think??  This seems to be a customers Phantom.  OUCH Note the cigarette burn!!        I can highly recommend this place for heigh tea, or just walk in for a drink or a meal. The staff are so welcoming, and friendly. On our way out the Duty Manager noticed my wife and I looking at the cars (again) and approached us to see if we were guests. All guests can be picked up and dropped off in one of their 14 Phantoms, and when we said no, we are just Rolls Royce enthusiasts from Australia, he said one moment please. He walked away, came back with the keys and allowed us and our group of freinds to climb in and enjoy. A real nice guy.  Thank you Anthony Au from the Peninsular for allowing us to enjoy these beautifuly maintained and immaculate Phantoms.  | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 118 Registered: 8-2016 |
Hello Patrick. Thank you for sharing these magnificent photo's, what a life eh. I can just imagine myself sitting there having high tea just like one does when one is cruising. It's nice to see the chauffeurs lined up and waiting. This brings me to another point, when one purchases a RR or Bentley it makes me wonder who owned my car and what uses was it put to  | ||
| David Towers Frequent User Username: xtriple Post Number: 82 Registered: 6-2010 |
Fantastic! You lucky, lucky people.  | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 905 Registered: 4-2016 |
Alan, With a bit of digging, you can find out a bit about your car. First step is to contact the Rolls Royce Enthusiest Club in the UK and acquire the build papers for the car. This will tell you who the car was built for, then you can investigate from that. Not too lucky David, Had to arrive nearly 2 hours early, then queue for over an hour, so a lot of standing and waiting. High tea is from 2pm to 6pm. Some hotels in Sydney make you feel unwelcome if your not "somebody" this place has the nicest staff I have ever met. Everyone was so nice and talkative. Above all they made You feel welcome and above all friendly. It's an easy place to get to, just be sure to arrive early. | ||
| Brian Crump Prolific User Username: brian_crump Post Number: 153 Registered: 2-2007 |
Patrick - now that you are the official Club photographer for RROCA - NSW, you are compelled to attend as many international High Teas as possible and return home with hi-res photos. Oh, you might like to photograph the occasional car as well. Regards, Brian | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 119 Registered: 8-2016 |
Patrick, I will take your advice and do just that thanks. I figured being a prestige vehicle there would be some record keeping done. As it happens today I posted off my application to join the RROCA, ACT Branch. I plan to put the car on Historic plates asap. My car came home a week ago from a fairly comprehensive service regime as planned out by Phil. Some time later this year I will put the Bentley in for part 2 of the service schedule. As the car came to me with no service history I feel I must start off a new one. This will at least give a future owner something to work off when assessing the car. Old mate (Len)and I have yet to get onto the new steering wheel setup and when its done I will take the car to the old and now closed pub in town and use it as a backdrop for photo's. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 906 Registered: 4-2016 |
Alan, When did the car land in Australia from Japan? | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 907 Registered: 4-2016 |
Brian, I would be more than happy to do that, I guess someone has to take one for the team. I have many high res images, and I was thinking of a full write up in L&D? | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 120 Registered: 8-2016 |
Patrick, re GCH 15389. I have no idea on any aspects of my car coming to Australia. All Sydney City Prestige would tell me is the car came from a Deceased Estate. His?? family didn't want anyone to know any of the details as to whom. Kind of puts me behind the 8 ball a little bit. I have scoured 100's of video clips on Youtube and have spotted my car wearing these Australian number plates XIC111 and S327 AKG. I doubt if I could find those video's now. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 2205 Registered: 6-2009 |
Alan, First, in case you missed it originally, if you're compiling a maintenance history from scratch take a look at the thread entitled, Maintenance History - This might make your life easier. Also, have a look at SZ Chassis Number Derivation from VIN. The last 8 characters of the VIN only tell the random reader that you have a 1986 model year car with chassis sequence number 15389, but not the make or actual model. It's more useful to have the derived chassis number of the XXG-15389 format with the correct letters of the VIN plugged in for the X-es. Brian | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 121 Registered: 8-2016 |
Hi Brian, thanks mate, looks like I need to d/l open office and take it from there | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 122 Registered: 8-2016 |
Hi Brian, I think I have the chassis number now but I am not 100% sure about it. Given my Vin #SCBZN0T07GCH-15389 I get NBG-15389 Is that correct? If I am correct the NBG has me worried 'No Bloody Good' lol ;) Please bear with me mate as I am in my usual state of confusion........ | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 2207 Registered: 6-2009 |
Alan, That's correct, so I presume that you have a 1986 Bentley Turbo RL since the VIN has 'N' as its fifth position character but a model year earlier than 1989. The sole reason for the dash is because it's easy to confuse the old true chassis numbers that predate the full VIN with these derived ones if the dash is missing, even though the vast majority of the three character combinations on the front should be a dead give away. Brian | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 123 Registered: 8-2016 |
Hi Brian, Thanks heaps for that. Your presumption is spot on. I learn a little more every time I log in here and I appreciate all you guys heading me in the right direction. | ||
| Mark Luft New User Username: bentleyman1993 Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2016 |
Patrick, Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures and experiences. I doubt I'll ever get to the Peninsula Hotel, but through your pictures, I feel like i've been there. Thanks again. Mark | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 908 Registered: 4-2016 |
Thanks for your kind words Mark. It was a great experience, and a high point for any Rolls Royce nut such as myself. These images were just from my phone for ease of uploading to the forum whilst there. If you are interested in any high res images of the cars, I have plenty if you (or anyone else) would like them emailed. Below is an image of Anthony the Duty Manager & myself. Good shot to show the sheer size of one of these Phantoms.  | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 909 Registered: 4-2016 |
Another beautiful Rolls Royce I snapped in Hong Kong. This time a Lovely Ghost in charcoal at the Ritz Carlton after a visit to the highest bar in the world, the Ozone Bar.    | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 910 Registered: 4-2016 |
Another customer at the Peninsular. Bentley Continental GT.  | ||
| Alan Ford Prolific User Username: herne13 Post Number: 124 Registered: 8-2016 |
When I first saw the new style RR and Bentley I have to admit I didn't like them one bit, partly because I like all things old. Even Benny is too new. However the more I see of the new styling the more it's growing on me. Thanks for sharing these Patrick, I am enjoying them more and more. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 911 Registered: 4-2016 |
Thanks Alan, I like taking & sharing car images. Yes, I think there are a lot of people in the same boat as you. However, the new model cars have been around a good while now and have earned their stripes many times over. They certainly have changed people's opinions, and have brought a whole new genre of people to what once was a very small market segment. I love em all, old and/or new. | ||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 254 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, What a great story and trip. Couldn't be more jealous. All in British Racing Green! I have to tell you I am now very seriously considering painting the Shadow to BRG this spring. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 971 Registered: 4-2016 |
Ross You're the man to do it mate. I might come and visit and keep the paint stirred for you | ||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 259 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, If you're in the neighborhood, I'd take you up on that. There might even be a Smithwicks in it for you. This page has the magic formula. 25% gloss black Rustoleum, and 75% Hunter green Rustoleum cut with 30% acetone. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 976 Registered: 4-2016 |
First of all Ross. I'm the best stirrer around!  Second: I'm disappointed your not using tractor paint. Third: Why the hell havnt I heard about this????  | ||
| Mark Luft Experienced User Username: bentleyman1993 Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2016 |
Ross,Patrick, I think the Starfire BRG just may match the color on the Smithwicks caps. Maybe not at first, but I'll bet by the sixth bottle, it'll be a perfect match. Enjoy that sixpack! Mark | ||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 262 Registered: 11-2015 |
Oh, there might be tractor paint involved.  | ||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 263 Registered: 11-2015 |
Oh, there might be tractor paint involved. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 1000 Registered: 4-2016 |
Oh dear! Well, I'm your mixing man  |
