Latest news with #BrianFitton
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Fury as 'irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce is stolen from hotel - as heartbroken owner offers reward for its safe return
An 'irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce has been stolen from a hotel on the eve of a vintage car expedition - as its heartbroken owner is offering a reward for its safe return. The £300,000 1920 Silver Ghost was taken in the early hours of Thursday morning from the Orsett Hall Hotel in Essex - the night before it and another 25 Rolls Royces were due to be loaded onto the ferry at Tilbury Docks. Now the car's heartbroken owner, Brian Fitton, is desperately trying to secure the return of his pride and joy. Together they have travelled the world for the past quarter of a century. The 82-year-old had been looking forward to the trip for more than a year, especially after attending a dear friend's funeral just days before. He is offering £2,000 for its safe return. Mr Fitton, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, said: 'To have the vehicle stolen ahead of dropping it off at Tilbury Docks for the ferry to Helsinki is absolutely heartbreaking. 'I am hoping someone can spot the car as it's so rare and help me get the trip of a lifetime back on track – hence the reward. 'The car is full of irreplaceable parts – it's an original and has even got the original Lady on the grill. 'The car has been all over the world and is an advert for British motors – it's been everywhere and it gets stolen in Essex – it's just appalling.' Mr Fitton, a former scrapyard owner, has spent years rebuilding the Rolls Royce's engine and exhibiting it around the globe. He first bought it from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark via an auction at Bonhams. The Silver Ghost has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria among other nations, but this was set to be retired scrapyard boss Brian's first trip to the Baltic States. Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century, before development was suspended during World War 1. During the conflict, the chassis and engine were used for armoured cars - while a blue 1909 model known as Blue Mist was used by legendary officer Laurence of Arabia. A total of 7874 Silver Ghosts were produced between 1907 and 1926, with former owners of the luxury vehicle including American President Woodrow Wilson. It was named the 'best car in the world' by Autocar in 1907. Orsett Hall Hotel declined to comment, but said the matter was in the hands of Essex Police. Anyone with any information should contact Essex Police.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
‘Irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce stolen in hotel heist
An 'irreplaceable' century-old Rolls-Royce was stolen just hours before it was due to embark on 'the trip of a lifetime'. Thieves stole the £300,000 vintage motor on Thursday night from Orsett Hall Hotel near Grays, Essex. Brian Fitton, the car's owner, 82, has been left distraught by the theft, describing it as 'appalling'. He was due to tour Finland and the Baltic States in it. Mr Fitton, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was sleeping in his bed at the four-star hotel in the early hours of Thursday when unidentified thieves made off with his 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The retiree awoke to see the car missing from the luxury hotel's car park, hours before it was due to be loaded onto a Helsinki-bound ferry at Tilbury docks. 'It's not been the best of week's starting with a dear friend's funeral, but this trip has been something I've been looking forward to for more than a year,' he said. 'To have the vehicle stolen ahead of dropping it off at Tilbury Docks for the ferry to Helsinki is absolutely heartbreaking.' The car was due to be loaded onto a ferry at the docks with 25 other Rolls-Royces on Thursday afternoon. Mr Fitton, a retired scrapyard owner, has toured all over Europe in the vehicle, visiting France, Italy and Poland, among other countries. 'The car is full of irreplaceable parts,' he said. 'It's an original and has even got the original Lady on the grill. 'The car has been all over the world and is an advert for British motors. It's been everywhere and it gets stolen in Essex.' Mr Fitton bought the car from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark via an auction at Bonhams. He has since spent years rebuilding the engine and exhibiting it around the world. Reward offered Mr Fitton is offering a £2,000 reward for the car's safe return. 'I am hoping someone can spot the car as it's so rare and help me get the trip of a lifetime back on track – hence the reward,' he said. The 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has the registration number U 5694 and chassis number 39EE. Orsett Hall Hotel declined to comment, but said the matter was in the hands of Essex Police. Anyone with any information should contact Essex Police.
