Prince Philip's car - show peace at Galle Face Hotel

An almost 90-year-old Standard Nine car used by Prince Philip Is bringing back memories,  of the colonial days. The Duke of Edinburgh, whose funeral was on Saturday (17), was very much a car enthusiast and while he was in Colombo he had bought the 1935 Standard Nine for 12 pounds. He paid the 12 pounds in two equal instalments.

 

The duke served the Royal Navy from its Colombo base in 1940 and made his first to the Trinco naval base. The car later got in to the hands of the Gardiner family who were key shareholders of the Galle Face Hotel. Prince Philip who is known for his witty comments had inquired about the brakes.

 

“When he saw the car he said, 'I hope the brakes work. They didn't work then.'” According to Gardiner, the prince acknowledged that the Standard was the first car he bought. Said Sanjaya Gardinar.