Snapshot, 1967: Window-shopping in Mayfair with the Bee Gees

In 1967, we find Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb admiring Bentleys and Rolls-Royces through the window of renowned automotive dealer Jack Barclay’s Berkeley Square showroom. But with international success imminent, they won’t need to window-shop for much longer…

After some early success in Australia, the brothers Gibb have returned to their homeland, where Beatles promoter Brian Epstein has taken control of the band’s management duties. He passes a demo tape to producer Robert Stigwood – who immediately hands them a five-year record deal, pretty much unheard-of at the time. From this moment, the fortunes of Barry, Robin and Maurice rise steeply, and the luxury saloons sold by the likes of Jack Barclay have all of a sudden become a reality: Christmas will see Stigwood buy the trio a 1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith as a festive reward. An Aston Martin DB6 and a Mini Cooper soon join the fleet, as does a Mulliner-bodied Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud – which is promptly crashed by Maurice while rushing to a party. A far cry from the not-so-distant days of noses pressed up against plate-glass windows.

Photo: Getty

You can find Bentleys and Rolls-Royces for sale in the Classic Driver Market.