26 August, 2014
His family has owned a Leicester-based MOT garage for 101 years - so you could say that historic vehicles are in Raoul Greasley’s blood.
So it’s no surprise that Raoul - one of Towergate Insurance’s very own classic car enthusiasts - has taken a busman’s holiday, to mark 70 years since D Day.
His great-grandad imported Oldsmobiles and Studebakers from the US, and the passion for classics has been passed down the generations. In fact Raoul has already restored half-a-dozen vehicles.
Raoul, who lives in Hallaton near Leicester, works for Footman James’ parent company Towergate - the biggest autonomously-owned insurance intermediary in the UK.
Raoul’s D Day trip
Raoul embarked on an eight-day trek on Friday August 22nd in ‘Rosie’ - his re-commissioned, gleaming Range Rover.
He took the Portsmouth ferry to north-west France’s Ouistreham and his historic stop-offs included:
- Ranville’s Canadian/English cemetery
- Memorial Pegasus museum
- Longues Sur Mer’s German Battery
- Colleville Sur Mer’s American Cemetery
Raoul was lucky enough to be joined by eight people - seven more than accompanied him on a similar journey in 2012!
Meet Rosie
Rosie is a fetching Range Rover built in 1993.
The Classic Vogue is coloured Ardennes green with velvety-style Teddy Bear upholstery.
Raoul bought and re-commissioned the 3.9 EFI after a client stored it dryly for a decade.
Sounds like a big job?
- a full engine service inclusive of fresh plugs, oil and filters
- four fresh tyres
- rotor arm and distributor cap cleaning
- changing Rosie’s differential oils
- a fresh exhaust system
- fresh auxiliary lights
- spraying the bumpers satin black
- a fresh head unit
- body waxed and t-cut
- new wipers
- thorough inside valet
- new shaft seals fro the rear and front props
- new bumper mounts
Raoul’s inspiration?
Raoul’s love of restored classics is almost matched by his fascination with the Second World War, which has accompanied him since his schooldays.
Raoul says we should remember the conflict and it is key that we understand the sacrifices made.
The story that really helped make up his mind is the one about the 89-year-old veteran, Bernard Jordan, who fled his Hove OAP home to visit France unaided.
Watch this space for an update on Raoul and Rosie's journey!
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