Latest news with #BrianFitton
BBC News
7 days ago
- 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.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Fury as 'irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce is stolen from hotel - as heartbroken owner offers reward for its safe return
An 'irreplaceable' 105-year-old Rolls Royce has been stolen from a hotel on the eve of a vintage car expedition - as its heartbroken owner is offering a reward for its safe return. The £300,000 1920 Silver Ghost was taken in the early hours of Thursday morning from the Orsett Hall Hotel in Essex - the night before it and another 25 Rolls Royces were due to be loaded onto the ferry at Tilbury Docks. Now the car's heartbroken owner, Brian Fitton, is desperately trying to secure the return of his pride and joy. Together they have travelled the world for the past quarter of a century. The 82-year-old had been looking forward to the trip for more than a year, especially after attending a dear friend's funeral just days before. He is offering £2,000 for its safe return. Mr Fitton, 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. '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.' Mr Fitton, a former scrapyard owner, has spent years rebuilding the Rolls Royce's engine and exhibiting it around the globe. He first bought it from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark via an auction at Bonhams. The Silver Ghost has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria among other nations, but this was set to be retired scrapyard boss Brian's first trip to the Baltic States. 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. 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.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
‘Irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce stolen in hotel heist
An 'irreplaceable' century-old Rolls-Royce was stolen just hours before it was due to embark on 'the trip of a lifetime'. 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.
