Unique Rolls-Royce Landaulet Showcases Automotive Opulence at Texas Museum

The DFW Car & Toy Museum currently exhibits one of the most extraordinary automotive creations ever built: the 1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Emperor State Landaulet. Commissioned by the Silver Lady Trust and constructed by the revived Hooper & Company, this one-off vehicle stands as a testament to bespoke coachbuilding and unrestrained luxury. Built on a stretched Silver Spirit chassis, the car features a body finished in Mason's Black and Royal Claret, with an extended rear cabin designed in the spirit of ceremonial parade cars. This includes new coach-built doors, panoramic window glass, and a removable roof panel with a folding landaulet top, complemented by ceremonial "By Appointment" tread plates and doors that can be locked open for public viewing.

Inside, the vehicle offers a luxurious velour-trimmed "conversation pit" adorned with cedar-dyed burled walnut. The trunk conceals a hidden refrigerator, while the cabin was outfitted with cutting-edge 1989 entertainment technology, including a Philips LCD television, CD player, radio, Toshiba computer and printer, and sets of crystal flutes and tumblers. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, remarked on the vehicle's spectacle, noting its custom woodwork, ceremonial roof, and its history of ownership, which once included musician Kid Rock. The car, completed in 1991, toured Europe and appeared at major auto shows in Australia before being preserved in Hooper's corporate collection until 2010. With just over 13,000 miles and all original accessories intact, it remains a landmark of modern bespoke coachbuilding.

The Chariot of Dreams is part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, which features hundreds of exceptional vehicles on display since the museum's grand opening, with new additions showcased throughout the year. The museum's location and details can be found on its website at https://www.dfwmuseum.com. This unique Rolls-Royce not only highlights the artistry of Hooper & Company but also serves as a cultural artifact of automotive opulence, drawing visitors to experience a piece of automotive history that blurs the line between car and ceremonial carriage. Its presence underscores the museum's role in preserving rare vehicles that exemplify craftsmanship and luxury, offering the public a glimpse into a world where automobiles are designed as rolling spectacles rather than mere transportation.