The Famous Coachbuilder Hooper was commissioned by C.J. Caulfield, esq. to build this car in 1938 – we know this because the original Hooper drawing survives!  It is a Pillarless Sports Saloon, with “Sunshine Roof”.

And here it is from the right side, note the sidemounted spare on the right hand side.  That is one beautifully styled Rolls-Royce, Hooper outdid themselves on this design.

Here it is with the sunshine roof open.  The wheel discs match the Hooper Drawing exactly. And, speaking of the Hooper drawing, let’s take a look at it!  It was discovered in the Hooper Archives at the London Science Museum Library

Note the drawing Number 7268.  That’s the sales drawing number for this car.  Also note the inscription “Specially designed for C.J. Caulfield, esq.”  We know that the car was owned by Caulfield, and then Frank Smith of Messrs. Smiths Potato Crisps, Ltd, and then a Col. T.H. Bisgood, O.B.E, of Middlesex, England.  The ownership trail is cold until the 1970’s, when Carl Lindros of Carpinteria, CA owned it. It was acquired in 1984 by Walter Swedburg, and then acquired by the current owner early in the new millenium.

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The current owner has lavished love and money on the car, with significant mechanical restoration by marque experts.  The engine has been rebuilt(including modern insert bearings) , The cylinder head has been rebuilt with new valve seat inserts and a modern oil filter adapter,  the transmission has been rebuilt, the front suspension has been rebuilt, the exhaust system is new stainless by Borla, the original manufacturer, the wire wheels have been trued by Valley wire wheel, the wheel discs were made to match the original drawing by LaMarr disc,  the radiator and cooling system are new,  The leather spring gaiters were made new.  The owner’s goal of a mechanically excellent, fully functional automobile has been acheived in spectacular fashion!

These are just a handful of the receipts for high quality restoration work.

The Rear 3/4 View is very attractive

This car has quite an impressive history of show results!  Although it’s not in top concours cosmetic condition, with patina showing on both paint and interior, it is a crowd pleaser nonetheless!

The Sunshine roof lets in a lot of sunshine!  What a great feature!

Lots of sky up above!  This car makes the term “Sporting Rolls-Royce” a reality!

Here’s the “Spirit of Ecstasy” mascot, the official Rolls-Royce term for the flying lady hood ornament! In excellent shape, too!

Here’s a short video of the car in motion!

The chrome plating on this car is excellent, as are the lamps and horns. Note the thermostatically operated shutters are working as they should!  This car has had the best of care mechanically, it is operationally superb!

Delightful!

The extra wide doors allow for easy access to both front and rear compartments.  The leather has acquired some patina and age, but it’s still serviceable.

Here’s another view – there’s a split in the leather of the driver’s seat.

The custom fitted burlwood is a lovely touch. The wood is very good, but it isn’t new looking anymore.

Nice dashboard, and beautiful steering wheel.  All the gauges work except the clock.

Here’s a close up of the dash wood and instruments. Nice wood but not perfect wood.

Here we see the fold-out windshield latches and the passenger grab bar.

Lots of choices on the Rolls Royce quadrant!

If you purchased a Hooper body, you had some impressive fellow owners!  Hooper began operations in 1805 – that’s 10 years before the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo – building carriages for the English Royalty.

There is something about a custom body that brings the reasons for owning a classic to the forefront – it’s a reminder of a time when individual taste was accommodated!

Very tasteful indeed!

The 6 Cylinder Rolls Royce engine, the original one for this car, engine # E 29 E

The driver’s side. This engine has been completely rebuilt by Rolls-Royce specialists, and it runs beautifully.

The hubcap removal tool, and part of the crank assembly for the integral jacks.  There are 3 frame-mounted jacks mounted, so if you have to lift the car up, you use the jacks – quite a bit nicer than having to haul out a regular jack.  Rolls-Royce was thoughtful of their customer’s convenience and comfort!

Rebuilt SU fuel pump.

Look at that nice fresh copper cylinder head gasket, the cylinder head was redone by marque specialists.  The owner of this car has as his first priority a properly functioning automobile!

Here’s the original engine number, E 29 E

And the Chassis Number, GGR 20

Borla – the famous exhaust system company – was the original vendor of the exhaust systems for Rolls-Royce. They still had the plans for this very car – and manufactured a new stainless exhaust system to those plans!  THAT is attention to detail and accuracy!  And, it’s attention that didn’t come at a low cost, either!

The boot, with the working hub wrench ( so the original one mounted in the engine bay doesn’t take a beating ) and the disc removal tool.

Working turn signals by Bosch.

The front turn signals work great too!

Lovely new blackwalls, wheel discs, and restored hubcaps.  Just exactly as it should be!

The Pacific Ocean in the background and the lovely Rolls Royce in the foreground!