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Books Models Highlights Cars
of 1998 |
Car
of the Month - May 2002 |
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Body Number 10226 in Hooper's Body Book was allocated to a „RR S. Cloud LWB” , chassis number ALC11. A body in the form of a “Saloon with Division” was erected. In accurate handwriting details listed the body as made to Design-No. 8504 and delivered in May 1958 to J. Davis, Esq. Added information is “as 10115 but 14'' Long WB, cut out spat”, i.e. similar to a previous body number but on a long wheelbase chassis and showing altered rear spats. This is a later variation of the “New Look” theme that Hooper's chief designer Osmond Rivers had created in an attempt to amalgamate lines of the pontoon-body, that became popular during the post-war period, and traditional styling elements, e.g. clearly accentuated wings. Hooper didn't concentrate entirely on coachbuilding for Rolls-Royce and Bentley but did produce a great number of bodies for Daimler, too, notably on “Daimler Empress” chassis. Over the years it became almost common to talk about “Empress Line” as regards this special design. Everyone knows the designation, although some purists don't leave a doubt they don't accept it as “unofficial”.
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Nonetheless this is one of the last creations made by Hooper, who ceased coachbuilding shortly afterwards. A main reason was that the price for any coachbuilt car at least was 50 % or 60 % more expensive than for a motor car with standard factory body. The number of clients, who were willing to invest the higher amount, was dwindling. The final remark in Hooper's Body Book is “Production ended December 1959” signed by Director and Chief Designer Osmond Rivers - the last Body Number was 10300.
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This
shouldn't detract from the simple fact that the coachwork offers the fine
advantages of unusually wide rear seats and comfortable footroom plus an
enormously spacious boot. For decades Hooper had enjoyed the reputation to
be one of the very best coachbuilders - indeed experience from almost 100
years of building coaches had been a solid basis when the company started
to build bodies for motorcars at about the turn of the century. The
outstanding quality of workmanship is truly impressive on this Rolls-Royce
