1949 Rolls-Royce Other

Limousine

Great running 6 cyl

4 speed

W44CWDC45

Clear

Gasoline

Well Folks, here is a REAL car. In an insane world where a Peel Trident (like my little blue one in my shop photo) brings $103,500. at the RM Microcar museum auction, How do you value anything in life??? It's tough....I have known about this virgin original 1949 Hooper Bodied division RR limo for many years and this past year I was fortunate enough to get it bought. The family I got it from has had car for more than 45 years (I have the title which was issued in Florida in 1970). I hate the overused term "Barn find" (maybe it's just Wayne Carrini I can't stand) but if any car falls into this category it is this one. It has been in a metal building on the owners family farm for many many years. I only knew about it because my British mechanic pulled the head off the car and got engine freed up and running good for the owners about 10 years ago when he lived in Florida and he told me about it. Let's start from the beginning. This car body is all aluminum and in wonderful condition. The doors all shut very nicely with NO sag, NO rubbing, very tight as a Rolls should be. It is beautiful underneath and super straight with no leaks (yes it has oil in the engine). Everything about this car is time warp stuff. In fact the only thing I can see that has ever been replaced are the 2 front seat bottom upholsteries. They are a hideous blue vinyl. The rest of the leather is original and I venture to say much could be saved. Obviously the softer items like wool headliner and carpets are pretty well deteriated but there for perfect patterns. This car has NEVER been apart so you can easily see how everything is supposed to be. All wood trimming is there and intact as are all switches, gauges etc. It has had an ancient MarkV AC unit put in years ago. As always the first thing to do is get car clean fuel. This was difficult as original gas tank was rusted thru and full of a jelly like substance that was at one time gasoline.....so we had a brand new, custom aluminum ($1200) gasoline tank made to accept orignal sender tubes and straps. With clean gasoline and after one full month of Marvel mystery oil in cylinders, it runs fine. It drives around and I have personally driven car and can guarantee all 4 gears plus reverse work as they should. I did drive carefully as tires "might" be orignal. They look like something from King Tuts tomb, they are so cracked but amazingly hold air. (car also has it's spare,jack, crank, compartment opening devises, all shrouds and covers). I do not know of anything missing. The keys even work in locks. The body is so straight it is scary. It has ancient paint that even will shine (what paint that hasn't fallen off from age). The brightwork is gorgeous. The headlights and grille shell and vanes are beautiful. We only cleaned alittle with Maas polish to see if they would clean up. Some of the pot metal parts will not clean up as well and the 4 hood latch handles are all broken off although mechanisms work as does key. All glass is good. Sunroof opens and latches properly. Engine bay is also totally original and complete. I would be tempted to just replace headliner and carpets in this car and leave it in the "weathered original" condition. Maybe even touch up,( with brushable lacquer) some of the bare spots of black. The white sides are pretty nice. It would be fun to go to a Rolls meet with an obviously original car amongst all the overly restored "Trailor Queens", but that's just me. They are first and foremost AUTOMOBILES and this 49 Rolls was one of the best there was. I always enjoyed driving these 4 speed Rolls and Bentleys with the shifter by your right knee. You can rev them up and they accelerate nicely and now with radial tires (correct size available thru Coker) you can actually drive these cars....What a Novel idea... Anyway, enough of my ranting...If you want the best, un messed with example of this fine car, you will never find another like this one. I personally have more cars in process than will ever get completed in my lifetime so I intend to pass it on to someone who I hope will USE it. I will only run this auction One time and I do not play games having friends bid up cars for me. It will be an honest 7 day auction. If it does not bring what it should, I will containerize car and send it back to UK for sale there where it is appreciated. If you want to come see car or have somebody look at car for you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Nothing to hid on this old girl...Happy bidding...Bob P.S.YES that is cousin Eddies motorhome from the 1989 Christmas vacation movie in the background and NO, it is not for sale. Thanks