Please can you tell me which model this is?

[sirrahjay]

Spotted this beauty parked outside The Dorchester Hotel in London recently.



Please can someone tell me what it is!

[sdmurray]

Can't quite see the roof but it looks to be one of the Nubar Gulbenkian cars with the perspex rooves. It should be a mid 1950's Silver Wraith. This is an old photo from ICMDB.

[MikePCG]

I think it's a 1950's Rolls Royce Silver Wraith?

oops, typing so slow someone elso got there!!!

Edited by MikePCG on Tuesday 29th June 22:30

Edited by MikePCG on Tuesday 29th June 22:30

[sdmurray]

I think I am right . . . this one is for sale by Frank Dale & Stepsons and is a Nubar Guilbenkian 1956 Silver Wraith. I saw it in their showroom last year and it is still for sale, I think.

[friederich]

It's a Silver Wraith, Coachbuilt by Hooper with Perspex roof.

http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/21054723...

Appeared in the Cartier Style Et Luxe display at the Goodwood FoS last year I believe.

Good spot!

[sirrahjay]

Excellent, thank you. I'm fairly certain that it had a perspex roof. It looked stunning.

[sdmurray]

Definitely is it . . . look at the mascot . . .

[friederich]

Whoaa....

3 responses in the same minute!

[sdmurray]

And from people who knew what it was! Pretty impressive - go PH!

[sirrahjay]

I knew I could rely on PH'ers to tell me the answer!
Thanks again.

[friederich]

I'm sure I've seen a photo of the car at the FoS last year, but no luck with google.

Maybe your spot is a precursor to another appearance at this years FoS at the weekend?

[sirrahjay]

Could be. Maybe I'll see at FOS on Friday. Interesting number plate, easy to remember but I don't suppose there will be many of these about anyway.

[lowdrag]

The mascot is a rare piece of 1930 Lalique called Chrysis. Worth a couple of grand to anyone who pinched it, which is why you rarely see one on a car today. Oh, if you ever come across a Lalique fox, one that has coloured glass, you can plan your retirement. it's the holy grail of bonnet mascots.

[a8hex]

No, called me old fashioned but I'd much rather have that delightful creature adorning my bonnet than a fox.

Now all I need is the kind of bonnet it would look good on.

[Gallen]

Beautifully elegant!

[braddo]

What a beautiful car (and mascot!) and how nice to see it out in public.

[sirrahjay]

Yes it was a real treat to see this stunning car in real life! Wish I'd been a bit braver and got a bit closer but I suspect the man in top hat and tails 'minding' the car park might have chucked me out!

[Huntsman]

I recall that car was featured in C and SC or The Automobile in the last year or so, I remember the perspex roof. I think it was The Automobile.

I dont care much for the styling of the car, or the roof, but that Lalique mascot is to die for.

We should have a mascots thread.

[sdmurray]

Sorry to disagree with you all but I have viewed this car at close quarters and I don't think it is particularly beautiful nor elegant. Have you seen the perspex roof? Have you seen that headlight configuration?

True, it is extravagant and eccentric (as per Nubar Gulbenkian's fashion) and cost a whole lot to build but I wouldn't have it. When I am being driven in my 1953 Silver Wraith by Hooper I don't like to hear the outside world and prefer to have the sound proofing of a solid coachbuilt car around me. I also like to have some discretion that the solid roof affords and can't imagine what I would have felt like going round in that car last weekend in the full sun.

[Schmeeky]

sdmurray said:

Sorry to disagree with you all but I have viewed this car at close quarters and I don't think it is particularly beautiful nor elegant. Have you seen the perspex roof? Have you seen that headlight configuration?

True, it is extravagant and eccentric (as per Nubar Gulbenkian's fashion) and cost a whole lot to build but I wouldn't have it. When I am being driven in my 1953 Silver Wraith by Hooper I don't like to hear the outside world and prefer to have the sound proofing of a solid coachbuilt car around me. I also like to have some discretion that the solid roof affords and can't imagine what I would have felt like going round in that car last weekend in the full sun.

I agree - it's imposing, ostentatious, extravagant and definitely eccentric! But it's not a beautiful or elegant design. (IMHO)