By Olivia Caldwell of 
Lake Hāwea resident Gerry Shaw, pictured with partner Denise Shaw, bought his Rolls-Royce Phantom V late last year and he says it's a beauty. Photo: ODT / Olivia Caldwell
Gerry Shaw is not one for fuss, nor is he a royalist, but the keen car collector is now the proud owner of the 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V used by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on two New Zealand visits.
The Lake Hāwea man bought the Rolls several months ago after seeing a story about the historic vehicle on television.
He is taking the classic car to Wheels at Wānaka this Easter weekend.
It cost Shaw $175,000 all up, including transporting it south, where it has to be driven on his gravel road for an outing.
Not one for shine himself, Shaw was not too excited about the fact the car had driven the Queen on her 1963 and 1970 tours of New Zealand - he just likes the beauty of a classic Rolls-Royce.
The car was sold at auction house Webb's collectors' cars, motorcycles and automobilia auction last August.
Read more:
Queen's Rolls-Royce goes to auction - who's going to buy it?
Webb's noted the Rolls-Royce gained particular significance through its use during "royal walkabout" duties.
As part of its royal service (it was ordered specifically for its duties with the Queen), this Rolls, which sports an H J Mulliner Park Ward coach-built body, was optioned with numerous additional custom features including triple-carpeted floors, rear-hinged coach doors and silver goblets and decanters, which are still in great condition.
Before it was bought by Shaw, one man had owned the car for four decades.
It was used as a wedding car in the 1980s, but was put into storage in the 1990s, before emerging for occasional use once again as a wedding car in the past few years.
Shaw owned "about 15 to 20" classic cars and trucks but he said he could not choose a favourite as it would be like picking a favourite child.
The vehicles include a Brock Commodore, a 1960 Chevrolet Impala, a V8 Capri, a 1937 Chevy truck, a Volvo, a HQ Holden ute and a Defender Land Rover.
A retired plumber and farmer, Shaw and his partner Denise like to drive to the West Coast for fishing.
This story was first published by the Otago Daily Times.
