Latest news with #SilverGhost
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Beloved 1920 Rolls Royce recovered by Essex Police
A beloved vintage Rolls Royce has been returned to its owner three days after it was stolen ahead of a European 1920 Silver Ghost, valued at more than £300,000, had been secured to a trailer in the grounds of a hotel near Grays, Essex, on 26 owner, Brian Fitton, 82, was preparing to travel to Tilbury Docks and on to Helsinki in Finland. Essex Police said the car was found intact, on the Fitton thanked the public for their support in reuniting him with his "pride and joy". Mr Fitton had been preparing to take the car to Tilbury Docks ahead of the ferry trip to Helsinki, Finland. Mr Fitton said he had travelled the world in the car for the past 25 years."I was staying at a local hotel and was shocked to find my beautiful car missing the following morning," he said."The route included touring Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia before returning to the UK at the end of the month."Essex police district commander Tony Atkin added: "We know how distressing it is to have your car stolen whether it's a vintage car, a van used for business or a car to do the school run."That's why we take every report seriously and work hard to recover stolen vehicles quickly." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
'Irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce stolen in hotel heist is returned after schoolboy spotted it and told his father - who then tipped off police
An 'irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce worth £300,000 has been miraculously recovered after being stolen during a brazen hotel heist in Essex. The rare Silver Ghost - which has travelled across Europe and even survived World War II - was snatched in the early hours of June 26 from outside the Orsett Hall near Grays while its owner, 82-year-old Brian Fitton, was asleep inside. The vintage car, which had been due to depart for a tour of Helsinki and the Baltic states, vanished along with its trailer, leaving the retired scrapyard owner's 'heartbroken'. But in a remarkable twist, the treasured motor was discovered in a ramshackle shed thanks to a schoolboy's eagle eye. Mr Fitton, who had offered a £2,000 reward for the car's safe return, shared his relief following its recovery. The vehicle's owner said: 'It was thanks to the power of the press that the car has been recovered. 'A schoolboy spotted it and told his father he had seen a lovely vintage car. His dad had seen the publicity around the theft and got in touch to help with the recovery. The veteran vehicle enthusiast, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, added: 'Essex Police went to the area it was spotted in and recovered it intact on the trailer from a dirty old shed. 'The vehicle has survived Hitler and World War Two, and now it has survived a trip to Essex. 'I am delighted it has been recovered. I am hoping the reward is a small fortune for the young lad, and hope that shows him that doing the right thing in life pays off. 'To have the vehicle stolen ahead of dropping it off at Tilbury Docks for the ferry to Helsinki was absolutely heartbreaking, but this is a happy ending.' The century-old Silver Ghost, fitted with original parts and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament, was bought from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark through a Bonhams auction. Mr Fitton spent years restoring its engine and has toured it around Europe, from Portugal to Poland and everywhere in between. 'The car is full of irreplaceable parts, it's an original and has even got the original Lady on the grill,' he said. 'The car has been all over the world and is an advert for British motors. It's been everywhere and it was just appalling that it got stolen in Essex'. 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. The theft - and joyful recovery - comes as Essex Police announced a drop in vehicle crime, with 573 fewer offences recorded in the country over the past year, representing a ten per cent decrease. Shaun Kane, Essex Police's Detective Superintendent, said: 'Vehicle theft is not a victimless crime - it causes real distress to owners and disruption to their everyday lives and their businesses. 'We're proud to have made such significant progress in reducing this type of crime, and it will be welcomed by everyone in Essex.' For now, Mr Fitton says he is delighted to be reunited with his beloved Rolls – and he hopes its next stop will be Helsinki, as originally planned.
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
‘Irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce stolen in hotel heist moments before European tour
Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RARE 105-year-old Rolls Royce valued at £300,000 was stolen from a hotel on the evening of a vintage car expedition. The 1920 Silver Ghost was on a trailer at a hotel near Grays, Essex, on Wednesday night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The stolen 108-year-old Rolls Royce Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY 4 The "irreplaceable" car had vanished when owner Bryan Fitton went to check on it at 6am the next morning Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY It was about to be transported to Tilbury Docks and on to Helsinki, Finland. But the "irreplaceable" car had vanished when owner Bryan Fitton went to check on it at 6am the next morning. The 82-year-old from Wilmslow, Cheshire, is "heartbroken" at the loss. Essex Police is investigating and urged anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage to get in contact. The owner is offering a £2,000 reward for the car's return. Bryan told the Mail: "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." He spent years rebuilding the car and has driven it all around the world. It has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Austria among other nations. However this trip was set to be Bryan's first trip to the Baltic States with his beloved car. Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century. Around 7874 Silver Ghosts were produced between 1907 and 1926, with American President Woodrow Wilson even owning one of the cars. It was named the best car in the world by Autocar in 1907. 4 It was one of 25 cars due to be transported Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
‘Irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce stolen in hotel heist moments before European tour
A RARE 105-year-old Rolls Royce valued at £300,000 was stolen from a hotel on the evening of a vintage car expedition. The 1920 Silver Ghost was on a trailer at a hotel near Grays, Essex, on Wednesday night. Advertisement 4 The stolen 108-year-old Rolls Royce Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY 4 The "irreplaceable" car had vanished when owner Bryan Fitton went to check on it at 6am the next morning Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY It was about to be transported to Tilbury Docks and on to Helsinki, Finland. But the "irreplaceable" car had vanished when owner Bryan Fitton went to check on it at 6am the next morning. The 82-year-old from Wilmslow, Cheshire, is "heartbroken" at the loss. Essex Police is investigating and urged anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage to get in contact. Advertisement The owner is offering a £2,000 reward for the car's return. Bryan told the "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." Advertisement Most read in Motors Breaking He spent years rebuilding the car and has driven it all around the world. It has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Austria among other nations. However this trip was set to be Bryan's first trip to the Baltic States with his beloved car. Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century. Advertisement Around 7874 Silver Ghosts were produced between 1907 and 1926, with American President Woodrow Wilson even owning one of the cars. It was named the best car in the world by Autocar in 1907. 4 It was one of 25 cars due to be transported Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY 4 The 1920 Silver Ghost was on a trailer at a hotel near Grays, Essex, on Wednesday night Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY Advertisement
The Sun
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
‘Irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce stolen in hotel heist moments before European tour
A RARE 105-year-old Rolls Royce valued at £300,000 was stolen from a hotel on the evening of a vintage car expedition. The 1920 Silver Ghost was on a trailer at a hotel near Grays, Essex, on Wednesday night. 4 It was about to be transported to Tilbury Docks and on to Helsinki, Finland. But the "irreplaceable" car had vanished when owner Bryan Fitton went to check on it at 6am the next morning. The 82-year-old from Wilmslow, Cheshire, is "heartbroken" at the loss. Essex Police is investigating and urged anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage to get in contact. The owner is offering a £2,000 reward for the car's return. Bryan told the Mail: "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." He spent years rebuilding the car and has driven it all around the world. It has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Austria among other nations. However this trip was set to be Bryan's first trip to the Baltic States with his beloved car. Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century. Around 7874 Silver Ghosts were produced between 1907 and 1926, with American President Woodrow Wilson even owning one of the cars. It was named the best car in the world by Autocar in 1907. 4
