The DFW Car & Toy Museum now features one of the rarest and most extravagant vehicles in its collection: the 1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Emperor State Landaulet. Nicknamed the "Chariot of Dreams," this singular automobile was commissioned by the Silver Lady Trust and constructed by the revived Hooper & Company, coachbuilders historically favored by British royalty. The vehicle resides in the Ron Sturgeon Collection as a symbol of opulence, vision, and automotive artistry.
Built on a stretched Silver Spirit chassis, this one-off Hooper creation features a body painted in Mason's Black and Royal Claret. The extended rear cabin includes new coach-built doors, panoramic window glass, and a removable roof panel with a folding landaulet top. Designed in the spirit of ceremonial parade cars, it features "By Appointment" tread plates and the ability to lock doors open for public showcases, emphasizing its role as a rolling spectacle.
Inside, the vehicle offers a luxurious velour-trimmed "conversation pit" appointed with cedar-dyed burled walnut. Amenities include a hidden refrigerator in the trunk and cutting-edge 1989 entertainment technology, such as a Philips LCD television, CD player, radio, Toshiba computer and printer, plus sets of crystal flutes and tumblers. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, noted the vehicle's extraordinary nature, stating it was designed to be a rolling spectacle and remains unlike anything else in the collection, with previous ownership including musician Kid Rock.
Completed in 1991, the Emperor toured Europe and appeared at major auto shows in Australia before being preserved in Hooper's corporate collection until 2010. With just over 13,000 miles and all original accessories intact, it stands as a landmark of modern bespoke coachbuilding. The Chariot of Dreams is among hundreds of exceptional vehicles displayed since the museum's grand opening, with new additions showcased throughout the year. Visitors can plan their visit at https://www.dfwmuseum.com to experience this and other vehicles from the collection. The museum's website, https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com, provides further details for enthusiasts.
This display highlights the enduring appeal of custom automotive craftsmanship and its cultural significance. For collectors and historians, vehicles like the Chariot of Dreams represent a fusion of art and engineering, preserving techniques from legendary coachbuilders. Its public accessibility at the museum allows broader audiences to appreciate automotive heritage, potentially inspiring future innovations in design and luxury manufacturing. The vehicle's history, from royal commissions to celebrity ownership, underscores how such creations transcend mere transportation to become cultural artifacts, reflecting societal values of elegance and exclusivity.
