Recent research has revealed that this car is not a 1930 Rover Meteor as previously thought, but due to its chassis design, is actually a Speed Twenty which were produced in 1932.

This Speed Twenty is thought to be one of only two to have been fitted with a body by Corsica Coachworks, based in London. Most of Corsica’s bodies were unique and were built to each customer’s particular design. The term ‘sedanca’ indicates that the front portion of the roof folds back, whilst the rear section is fixed.

The Speed Twenty made use of Light Twenty chassis which had remained unsold and had been stored at the Rover factory. The cars were not fitted with standard bodies and instead customers were required to commission bespoke bodywork.

This particular car was imported to South Africa early in its life by the Garlick family who were well-known department store owners in Cape Town. After it was sold it eventually ended up in a garden and was found in 1950 with a tree growing through it! It was rescued, restored and had the engine and gearbox replaced. The Rover later made its way into the ownership of British racing driver Peter Sutcliffe who kept it permanently in the UK.