A fire extinguisher would have helped history identify who commissioned the Jonckheer Carrosiers to fashion the round doored body onto its 1925 chassis. A few years after the car was built, flames destroyed the records of the coach builder, and lost to history was the name of the individual who appointed the work. But it stands as an incredible statement to the vision of a well-to-do man or woman, leaving a very large (nearly three ton) testament to the art deco era of luxury and glamour.
In the 20’s and 30’s, the rich self-expressed in many ways, the automobile as one of them. Delage, Delahaye, Figoni & Falaschi, all vied for the deep pockets of the wealthy, as those with means constantly worked to outdo one another, especially with the cars they drove.
The original Hooper bodied cabriolet was as plain looking car, first purchased by Mrs. Hugh Dillman of Detroit, who was actually Anna Dodge, widow of one of the Dodge brothers. Not in love with the thing, she sent it back to Rolls, where someone else bought it, gave it over to Jonckheer, where the amazing body took shape. Jonckheere is more at home today making bus and truck bodies, but in the early 1900’s was custom making beautiful automotive exteriors. It was common back then for an automobile manufacturer to produce a rolling chassis; essentially a chassis with engine, wheels and other bits that make a car go. You decided on the sheet metal.
Soon sold to the Raja of Nanpara, the car traded hands through the years, eventually, and unfortunately sitting derelict before being recognized as something special and acquired by the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles where it resides, totally restored, today. Below, they do a wonderful job of reviewing this special Rolls.
Photography by Scott Williamson
I’ve seen this amazing car at the Petersen Car Museum here in Los Angeles, and it never fails to impress.
