Ex Vice-Regal Silver Shadow
Chassis Number LRH24643
A new Rolls-Royce for the Governor of Victoria was ordered in July 1975. The model was a Silver Shadow with a long wheel base and a division which the company had first produced for Princess Margaret.
The colour scheme for vice-regal cars is Black over Cardinal Red with a parchment interior. The coachbuilt features of the car include an everflex roof, a privacy rear window, dual air conditioning systems and dual stereo systems.
As the Governor has diplomatic immunity, the car (particularly the division) was exempt from the Australian Design Rules.
Chassis number LRH24643 was shipped in July 1976 in a container on the ‘Kangourou” and delivered to the Governor on 8 September 1976.
This car is the third of four Rolls-Royce cars purchased by the People of Victoria for Sir Henry Winneke during his term as Governor of Victoria. As the vice-regal car, it was not registered and displayed only the Royal Crown while conveying the Governor to all official events including hosting Prince Charles and other foreign dignatories.
After 80,000 kilometers the car was traded in on its replacement and first registered in November 1978. In private hands the car was enjoyed by a property developer, a solicitor, a company director and as a wedding hire car until acquired by the Henderson family in July 1992 with 200,000 kilometers on the dial.
In the 28 year custody of the Henderson family the car received all of the maintenance it needed including repairs to the gearbox, differential, ignition, carburettors, brakes and air conditioning. While the car has never been involved in an accident, it was refurbished in 2002 with a bare metal repaint and cosmetic detailing.
As a member of the Henderson family the car participated in many Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Australia events. Eric was President of the Victoria Branch from 2002 to 2005 and Federal President from 2006 to 2009. Eric organised many rallies and the car was used to lead Western District Weekends, Overlanders to Federal Rallies and the Australian leg of the Centennial World Tour in 2004.
The Henderson family is pleased that the Sir Henry Royce Foundation is the next custodian and will ensure that the provenance and significance of this car, now 45 years old with 315,000 kilometres on the dial, is preserved for future generations.
Photo to the right is with its new Government and the SHRF sandwich board
prepared by Government custodian Glenn Clarke. Photo taken at the
RROCA-VIC Concours at Xavier College on 16 January 2022.
The Car: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Year: 1976
Registration: GOV
Chassis No: LRH24643
Coach: Saloon LWB with Division
Lineage: Australian Commonwealth Ex Vice Regal car
Special Features: an everflex roof, a privacy rear window, dual air
conditioning systems and dual stereo systems
