Saturday, June 21, 2025
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
Arlington Today Magazine
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • People
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Current Issue & Digital Archives
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • People
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Current Issue & Digital Archives
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Arlington Today Magazine
Home Community

That Time a Rolls-Royce Went to Grand Prairie

Richard Greene by Richard Greene
July 26, 2016
in Community
0 0
0
That Time a Rolls-Royce Went to Grand Prairie
0
SHARES
84
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Texas Health Resource Breast Care Oct 2020

February_Classic_Car_2_r


The company’s website describes the origin of its famous motorcar like this:

“With a shared ambition to make the future of motoring extraordinary, the Honourable Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce joined forces in 1904 and formed an unlikely partnership – one forged from a shared passion for engineering and a desire to create the Best Car in the World.”

When Bill and Lynne Downs acquired their 1937 Rolls-Royce Park Ward Wraith Touring Limousine in 2004, it was in good enough shape to capture the Al Kroemer Judges Choice Award and a first place class award at the Texas Region Rolls-Royce Owners Club (RROC) meet.

Related posts

Community Vertacat Handicap Cart Fundraiser

Community Vertacat Handicap Cart Fundraiser

June 18, 2025
Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show

Downtown Arlington Car Classic

June 8, 2025

But during the event’s touring phase from Fort Worth to Granbury, with the car traveling at 55 miles per hour, the passenger side “suicide” door flew open, swept back in fury and pretty much destroyed the left side of the car.

“Save the door,” Bill declared from behind the wheel, to which his wife replied, “The door? What about saving me?!”

February_Classic_Car_1


The next destination for the Rolls was Hand’s Elderly Auto Care shop in Grand Prairie, where Robert Hand set out not only to repair the damage, but ultimately to complete a full ground-up restoration of the magnificent pre-war classic. It would be eight years before all the meticulous work was finished, and the couple could take it back on the road to show it off in competition with others among the era’s finest vehicles.

In its first year back in the circuit, the car captured two top awards at the Rolls-Royce National Meet and next won the Best in Class Trophy at the annual Concours d’Elegance of Texas.

February_Classic_Car_5


In 2014, the Downs’ car added another Best in Class award at the 63rd RROC annual competition and went on to pick up two more trophies last year at the organization’s most recent national event.

A special feature of their Rolls

is the Disappearing Division – a window partition that is hidden in the roof until the back seat passenger winds it down to provide some separation and privacy from the car’s chauffeur.

Due to the significant cost of adding this feature to the already very expensive automobile, the company equipped only 28 of the vehicles like the Downs’ car with this rare extra option.

February_Classic_Car_4


Other models came with various versions of a separating panel, but the kind that disappeared into the roof when not in use consisted of 98 major parts engineered by a mechanical genius.

There are all kinds of other features on these exclusive vehicles, both among its mechanical workings and luxury appointments. But the hood ornament might be the most famous and, some would say, notorious of them all. With the development of radiator sculptures for automobiles around 1910, the managing director of Rolls-Royce commissioned sculptor Charles Sykes to create the Spirit of Ecstasy – “a mascot to convey speed with silence, absence of vibration, the mysterious harnessing of great energy and a living organism of superb grace.”

Stories abound of its origins

resulting from a secret passion between Baron Montagu, a pioneer of the automobile movement, and his secretary. The original design of the figurine was said to be of her in fluttering robes, having placed one forefinger against her lips to symbolize the secret of their love affair.

February_Classic_Car_3


Only a few of those were ever made, and from 1920 until now, the current version has become the iconic symbol recognized all over the world. It remains the most stolen item off the famous cars, and the newest models include a button on the instrument panel to conceal it inside a closed compartment.

While many would assume one of these classics would be enough for anyone, Bill and Lynne got a little anxious while waiting during those eight years their car was being restored. So, they acquired a 1935 lime green Rolls-Royce and sent it off to another shop in Kansas City.

It is still there being completed. It might take eight years, too, Bill said with a smile. “In the meantime,” he noted, “I’m looking at installing another suspended lift in my garage to make room for it when it does arrive.”

Not surprisingly, Bill said owning an automobile of this ilk is a privilege. “We are owners of these cars for a brief period of time,” he said, “but we are caretakers for posterity.”

Read more classic car profiles from Arlington Today…

 

 

Tags: Classic CarRolls Royce
Gracie Lane June 2020

Follow Us

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.
  • Soon-to-open Mansfield H-E-B causes shopping frenzy

    Soon-to-open Mansfield H-E-B causes shopping frenzy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gregory “Pappy” Boyington

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • All Star Voting 2024

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Local moms share what makes the day special to them

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Arlington Texas Area News and Events Magazine

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Community Vertacat Handicap Cart Fundraiser
  • 60th Annual Independence Day Parade
  • Welcome to our new “Deep Dive” audiomag!

Category

  • Arlington News
  • Business and Education
  • Commentary
  • Community
  • Design and Interiors
  • Featured
  • People
  • Scene
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness

Recent News

Community Vertacat Handicap Cart Fundraiser

Community Vertacat Handicap Cart Fundraiser

June 18, 2025
60th Annual Independence Day Parade

60th Annual Independence Day Parade

June 18, 2025
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event

© 2023 Arlington Today - Designed by

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • Community
    • People
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
  • Current Issue & Digital Archives
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Arlington Today - Designed by