The DFW Car & Toy Museum now displays 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 creation represents a landmark in modern bespoke coachbuilding and automotive artistry. Commissioned by the Silver Lady Trust and built by the revived Hooper & Company, coachbuilders once favored by British royalty, this vehicle resides in the Ron Sturgeon Collection as an enduring symbol of opulence and vision.
Constructed 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. Inside, a luxurious velour-trimmed 'conversation pit' awaits, richly appointed with cedar-dyed burled walnut, a hidden refrigerator in the trunk, and an array of entertainment technology that was cutting-edge in 1989.
Amenities include a Philips LCD television, CD player, radio, Toshiba computer and printer, plus sets of crystal flutes and tumblers. 'This car is so over-the-top, it's hard to believe it's real until you see it in person,' said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. 'It was designed to be a rolling spectacle—and it still is. From the custom woodwork to the ceremonial roof to the fact that Kid Rock once owned it, it's unlike anything else in the collection.'
Completed in 1991, the Emperor toured Europe and made appearances 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 remains a significant artifact of automotive history. The vehicle's importance lies in its demonstration of extreme customization and craftsmanship during an era when such bespoke projects were becoming increasingly rare. It serves as a tangible connection to traditional coachbuilding techniques that have largely disappeared from mainstream automotive manufacturing.
The Chariot of Dreams is one of hundreds of exceptional vehicles that have been on display since the museum's grand opening, with new additions showcased throughout the year. Visitors can experience this and other incredible vehicles from the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the museum's North Fort Worth location. More information about visiting can be found at https://www.dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The museum's previous website, https://www.dfwelitetoymuseum.com, remains a resource for toy and car enthusiasts worldwide.
