RESERVE LOWERED -1981 Rolls-Royce Landaulet replica
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Highlights
• A unique one off
• Hand built
• 2.0 litre
• The perfect wedding car
The Background
What you see here is a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulette replica designed from around the 1910 era. The car is a total one off build which was built as a film prop to be used in a film starring Peter Ustinov. The Rolls-Royce carriage was given the blessing of Rolls-Royce Motors.
No real background history information came with this 1981 Silver Ghost style vehicle and we are unsure who built it.
The History
Purchased by the seller on 23rd March 2020, Mr Darcey was purchased along with the Elizabeth Bennet, a similar style Edwardian vehicle. The Mr Darcey vehicle was purchased at an auction where it was kind of a mistake. You might wonder how?
Well there was some confusion over the reserve and the seller bid on Mr Darcey and then thought he had not won it because the reserve was not met, but somehow he had actually won it. After some discussion between the auction house, the seller and the current seller( then buyer), he decided to go along with the purchase, even though this was lower than the alleged reserve.
Well there was some confusion over the reserve and the seller bid on Mr Darcey and then thought he had not won it because the reserve was not met, but somehow he had actually won it. After some discussion between the auction house, the seller and the current seller( then buyer), he decided to go along with the purchase, even though this was lower than the alleged reserve.
When the seller went along to collect Mr Darcey, there was a similar one next to it, the Elizabeth Bennet. Now, there was no intention to buy another car, but it was the seller's wife who persuaded him to put a bid in on the car, with a vision to set up their son in a wedding car business. The owner kindly declined the offer, that was until the journey home and he called to say he’d changed his mind. The seller, a man of his word, went back to sort out the money side and a deal was struck.
Once the delivery of the two vehicles took place, Covid-19 took hold and, unfortunately, the wedding car business had to go on the back burner. Although we are nearing the lockdown restrictions coming to an end, the seller has decided against the business venture and so the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has to go.
The Paperwork
The V5 is present and shows 10 previous keepers.
Unfortunately, when the seller purchased the car it came with little in the way of history. Looking back through the MOT history there have been no serious advisories, just odd ones about lights not working and a couple of advisories on slight play in the wheel bearing. There was an MOT carried out on 11th February 2021.
The Interior
The interior of the Landaulet is very well presented, trimmed like your favorite Chesterfield sofa with added seat belts to the front and rear. The front seat is trimmed in black, and the carpet to the front is an outdoor mat with a rubber section towards the bulkhead. The car is capable of seating six passengers to the carriage area and one to the front, plus the driver.
Sitting in the driver's seat the dashboard is as you would expect for a car in the style of 1910. There is a wooden panel with the lights and indicator switch and the odometer showing a reading of 16,418, and all of these are working as they should. The steering column comes up through this with a period looking steering wheel. The front half of the roof is nice and clean.
Inside the carriage, the headlining has been trimmed in a luxurious blue velvet with gold trim which is in lovely condition. It has been carpeted in plush royal blue carpet to match the seats. The seats are again in the Chesterfield style which is in excellent condition and the door cards have been trimmed to match with the Chesterfield style buttons. These are also free from any damage.
The rear section of the roof over the seat can be removed to give the passengers an open top experience. The boot area is in the form of a chest which has been painted to match the body colour of the car and then mounted to the luggage rack. This is in a used but usable condition.
The rear section of the roof over the seat can be removed to give the passengers an open top experience. The boot area is in the form of a chest which has been painted to match the body colour of the car and then mounted to the luggage rack. This is in a used but usable condition.
The Exterior
This 1981 Rolls-Royce Landaulet s tyle has been finished in Old English White with some fine line pinstriping in black around the body and doors. Starting at the front, straight away the first thing you notice has to be the genuine Rolls-Royce grille and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot which is in excellent condition. Either side are the brass headlights which have some tarishing to the body and the glass. Lower down are some extra lights which are much newer but still in keeping with the style. The bonnet opens and closes either side to allow access to the 2.0 litre engine. The windscreen sits in a brass trimmed frame with mirrors fitted to the top corners and a single wiper.
Around to the sides and the wheel arches flow nicely down onto the wooden side step running boards, which are edged in brass to protect the edges. There is a wooden box on the drivers side which houses the 12 volt battery and on the passenger side there is the spare wheel and a Pratts fuel can. The rear part of the carriage has an opening door either side with a wooden trimmed frame around it to match the side windows. The wood has started to split in a couple of places, but it wouldn't take much for a carpenter to replace this.
To the rear, what would be the boot area has been finished with a chest mounted to the luggage rack and painted in the body colour. This does have some signs of wear but is totally functional and just above is the name Truly Scrumptious Cars. The rear arches are finished with the black pinstripe and are both free from any scuffs to the edges. For the Bride and Groom leaving the church, you have the option of the open top experience as the rear roof section can be removed. A handy foot step is in the rear quarter to assist you getting up to the top of the roof to unclip it.
The wheels are a 10 spoke wheel which have been painted Blue to match the interior with a RR centre cap. The tyres are period looking and look to have a good few miles left on them.
The Mechanics
It is fitted with a 2.0 litre Pinto engine, as used in many Ford’s over the years, which has proven to be extremely reliable and cost effective to work on. This is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
The seller hasn't really driven the Silver Ghost Landaulette but his friend did volunteer and enjoyed the experience thoroughly, especially the amount of attention the car draws, as you can imagine. The engine fires up nicely and ticks over nice and smoothly. His friend reports the car pulls well through the gears and the change is smooth. There are no noises that shouldn't be there from the engine or transmission.
The chassis resembles the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulette chassis from this era. We should remember this is a 1981 replica, and so it does drive pretty well.
The chassis resembles the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulette chassis from this era. We should remember this is a 1981 replica, and so it does drive pretty well.
The Appeal
Edwardian style Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulet style. It is believed to be a total one off build with the blessing from Rolls-Royce Motors to be built as a movie prop in a film starring Peter Ustinov, it’s safe to say this really is quite unique. One of the appealing features is that it uses a Ford 2.0 litre Pinto engine and a 4-speed automatic gearbox, giving a decent pace and trouble free gear changes.
Maybe you have a wedding business that needs an Edwardian style car to add to your collection. Or maybe, like the seller, you have decided on a new business venture?. As weddings are just about getting back off the ground, this could be the prime time to jump on board and get some bookings. One thing is for sure, wherever Mr Darcy is, Elizabeth Bennet won’t be too far away!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1981
- Make Austin
- Model Mini Bus
- Colour White
- Odometer 16,418 Miles
- Engine size 1993
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Cheshire
- Country United Kingdom
23
bids
- An•••• £14,000 27/07/21
- ki•••• £13,750 27/07/21
- An•••• £13,250 27/07/21
- ki•••• £13,000 27/07/21
- An•••• £12,500 27/07/21
- jo•••• £12,000 27/07/21
- An•••• £11,500 27/07/21
- jo•••• £11,000 27/07/21
- An•••• £10,000 27/07/21
- jo•••• £9,750 27/07/21
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