1985/1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Wing Landaulette

Lot details
Registration No: C34 PUX
Chassis No: SCAZN0002GCH14143
Mot Expiry: Aug 2006

Originally supplied new to Artix Ltd of Peterlee (Durham) by Reg Vardy of Tyne & Wear, this unique Rolls-Royce began life as a Silver Spur. Acquired by the renowned coachbuilding firm of Hooper & Co in 1995 as a 'one owner' car that had covered just 61,000 miles (a figure apparently substantiated by Reg Vardy service history), chassis GCH14143 was subsequently transformed into a landaulette. Emerging butterfly-like during 1996 as the 'Silver Wing', it was intended to be the first of many. However, despite the production of sales leaflets advertising the same conversion to new and existing Silver Spur owners alike, chassis GCH14143 remained a one-off (though, a similar 'Silver Wind' car was created around the same time using a Silver Spirit donor). Whether there would have been more takers had its intricate roof, wing spats and Hooper badges / kick plates not been priced at £27,500 + VAT is debatable. Though, Hooper's own financial outlook at the time probably did not help matters (the company folded some years later).
Purchased by the vendor from Sotheby's June 1997 RREC Althorp auction for £29,406.25, chassis GCH14143 is described by him as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its 6750cc V8 engine, automatic transmission, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, and paintwork. Said to have covered 80,000 miles from new (61,000 prior to conversion and 19,000 since), we are informed that some £4,000 was spent with Flying Spares last year "to make the car perfect". Reportedly a multiple prize winner that "creates great interest wherever it goes" the landaulette is only being offered for sale because the present owner is rarely in England these days and already has "a Corniche Convertible abroad". Riding on steel wheels shod with new tyres, chassis GCH14143 is featured on p.189 of 'Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars, From the Dawn of the 20th Century into the New Millennium' by Martyn Nutland & Klaus-Josef RoBfeldt. Finished in dark blue with magnolia upholstery, its cabin boasts the usual Rolls-Royce mixture of near-flawless hides, high-gloss wood veneers and deep-pile carpets. A rare opportunity to acquire a modern coachbuilt Rolls-Royce with an unusual history, chassis GCH14143 is accompanied by: a letter from Hooper confirming the mileage at the time of conversion, assorted 'Silver Wing' factory drawings / leaflets / adverts, Sotheby's Althorp catalogue / invoice and various Reg Vardy service records etc. Although, the car possesses a MOT certificate valid until August 17th 2006, the seller assures us that it will be submitted for retest prior to the auction.