‘Irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce FOUND after it was stolen in hotel heist moments before European tour
ROLL BACK 'Irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce FOUND after it was stolen in hotel heist moments before European tour
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A 105-YEAR-old Rolls Royce Silver Ghost stolen from a hotel in Essex has been recovered thanks to the power of the press.
The irreplaceable vehicle went missing along with a trailer on the eve of an epic vintage car expedition to Helsinki and the Baltic States.
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A 105-year-old Rolls Royce Silver Ghost stolen from a hotel in Essex has been recovered
Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY
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The irreplaceable vehicle vanished at a hotel in Essex
Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY
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It has since been recovered after a schoolboy spotted the motor
Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY
Rolls enthusiast Bryan Fitton, 82, was staying at Orsett Hall Hotel near Grays, Essex, when the theft happened in the early hours of June 29.
The £300,000-plus vehicle and another 25 Rolls Royces were due to be loaded on the ferry at Tilbury Docks later that day ahead of a trip to Helsinki, Finland for a European tour.
Bryan, 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, but this is a happy ending.
'I was hoping someone would spot the car as it's so rare and help me get the trip of a lifetime back on track – hence the reward and thankfully it worked.
'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 was just appalling that it got stolen in Essex.'
The 82-year-old was "heartbroken" at the loss and offered a reward of £2,000 for the safe return of his pride and joy.
Orsett Hall Hotel declined to comment after the theft and said the matter was in the hands of Essex Police who had launched an investigation.
"It was thanks to the power of the press that the car has been recovered," Bryan said.
"A schoolboy spotted it and told his father he'd seen a lovey vintage car – his dad had seen the publicity about the theft and got in touch to help with the recovery.
"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's 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."
The Sun has reached out to Essex Police for comment.
The car came from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark decades ago via an auction at Bonhams.
Eight new laws hitting drivers from July 1 including 'touch' rule where you can face jail over where you place hands
Bryan has since spent years rebuilding the engine and exhibiting it round the planet.
The Silver Ghost has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, Portugal and Spain.
But this was set to be retired company director Bryan's first trip to the Baltic States in the Silver Ghost.
The 1920 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost's registration number is U 5694 and chassis number 39EE.
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.
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Bryan Fitton had his Rolls stolen at Orsett Hall Hotel near Grays, Essex,
Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY
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Bryan Fitton has exhibited the motor around the planet
Credit: STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY
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