‘Irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce stolen in hotel heist
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.
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