A devastating blow struck classic car enthusiast Bryan Fitton as he discovered his prized 1920 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost had disappeared from the grounds of an Essex hotel, just hours before it was scheduled to embark on an ambitious tour across Northern Europe. The 105-year-old automobile, valued at over $400,000, was stolen from Orsett Hall Hotel near Grays during the early hours of Thursday morning, leaving its heartbroken owner to face the reality that decades of careful restoration and countless European adventures had been reduced to a police report.
The timing of this theft could hardly have been more cruel. Fitton had traveled from his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, specifically to position himself for the next day’s departure to Tilbury Docks, where his Silver Ghost was set to join 25 other pre-war Rolls Royce vehicles on a ferry bound for Helsinki. The group had planned an extensive rally through Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Estonia, continuing a tradition that has seen these magnificent machines traverse European roads for years, as per a report by Road & Track.
What makes this crime particularly audacious is the sheer impracticality of stealing such a vehicle. Unlike modern cars that can be hot-wired or started with electronic devices, the 1920 Silver Ghost requires a complex 23 step starting procedure that would challenge even experienced mechanics. This suggests the thieves likely made off with the entire trailer on which the car was mounted, rather than attempting to drive the century old machine away under its own power.
The Silver Ghost represents far more than monetary value to its owner. Fitton had owned the rare automobile for over two decades, having purchased it at auction before dedicating years to its meticulous restoration. The car had become his faithful companion on tours across France, Italy, Poland, and numerous other European destinations, earning its place as what he describes as part of the family.
Essex Police have launched an investigation into the theft, particularly puzzling given that the vehicle was parked within clear view of two security cameras. The force is appealing for any witnesses, CCTV footage, or dashcam recordings that might help track down the distinctive stolen trailer and its precious cargo.
With fewer than 8,000 Silver Ghost models ever manufactured between 1907 and 1926, this theft represents the loss of a genuine piece of automotive history. For Fitton, it means the end of a chapter that had defined more than 20 years of his life, leaving him to hope against hope that his beloved machine might somehow find its way home.
