Bread, Milk, Rolls-Royce: Sir Michael Caine's Shopping List

In 1968, an unkempt and unshaven gentleman walked into the renowned Jack Barclay showroom on Berkley Square with a handwritten shopping list which read, “milk, bread, newspaper, cigarettes, Rolls-Royce.” He was soon ushered off the premises but little did they know, they had just turned down the business of one of the most iconic actors of all time: Sir Michael Caine.

Having had the brush off from one showroom, Caine journeyed to Mayfair's H.A. Fox dealership on Dover Street where he purchased his first ever car - a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Drophead Coupe. It had recently come into stock after the playwright and screenwriter, Terence Rattigan, cancelled his order for it.

One thing was missing though - a driving license! But this didn't stop Caine as he actually found it cheaper to employ a chauffeur than pay the premium his insurers quoted as a learner driver in the car. It's then said that the 35-year-old actor subsequently took great pleasure in being driven past the offending Jack Barclay salesman in his new car whilst displaying a rude gesture or two!

Less than two years later, the Silver Shadow was acquired by John Leonard Ernest Leach (Jack Leach), owner of the Gasworks restaurant in Fulham, which became a notorious hotspot for the rich and famous. A familiar sight on the Fulham and Kings roads for decades afterwards, Leach continued to own the car for the next 43-years until his death in 2013.

Now the car is set to go under the hammer just one day after the actors 90th birthday at an auction hosted by H&H Classics.

Having been treated to an extensive restoration by the current owner, Caine’s former car is now refinished in its original colour of Black. One of just 506 Silver Shadow Two-Door Drophead Coupes that were hand built by Rolls-Royce’s in-house coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward from 1967 – 1971, the car is estimated at between £100,000 - £150,000.

“Personifying cool since the swinging sixties, Caine and the Silver Shadow remain instantly recognisable and widely admired,” comments Damian Jones, Senior Motorcar Specialist, H&H Classics. “So, to combine both of these in one fantastic motor car is incredibly rare indeed and we expect significant interest from fans around the world.”

The classic, collector and performance car auction takes place at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on the 15 March, with viewing available on Tuesday 14 March.

Has your classic car had a famous owner in the past? Let us know in the comments!