I took a Junkyard Rolls Royce and brought it back to life!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 19 чер 2021
- When the only Rolls Royce in my budget was one destined for the crusher... I find a Rare Muliner Park Ward Drop Head Coupe that was left for dead after being eaten by Raccoons and Rats.
After nearly 2 years of restoration, and 19 years since it was last on the Road. I finally got my Old Rolls Royce Convertible back on the road again!
Follow along as I take this once disgusting car back into a driver! - Розваги
As a Brit, I feel quite emotional that you've restored this beautiful car and saved it from the crusher. I'm sure the RR Veterans of Crewe who hand built it would appreciate your efforts!
Many congratulations for saving the Empress!
The racoon tail on the antenna.🤣 A nice little tribute to the car's past owners.
Brings back many memories. My 1967 RR Corniche Coupe [hardtop, but with a landau vinyl roof, cream-colored to resemble a convertable] was a Mulliner Park Ward. Right-hand drive. Made in Crew England. The interior and engine compartment seem to be identical, except my seats were tan-colored with burgundy piping. It was painted brilliant ruby red....and was a show stopper.
It wasn't always like that, I had the landau roof and paint job done in the High Desert near Palm Springs. It would have been hideously expensive, except that the shop owner had a pressing legal problem that I was eminently qualified to fix, which I did to his complete satisfaction.
He was so grateful for the outcome, that he put an extra 17 coats of lacquer and clear coat on the car....just like the original paint job done in Crew England. If you starred at the paint clear coat for more than a few seconds, it would induce a slight amount of hallucination....it was just that deep.
I came across the car from my brother-in-law, who had used the car as collateral for a modest loan. When the loan wasn't repaid, I gave the car to my mother to whom I had owed money for a similar modest loan. I then obtained a title to some "sea-front" property in Bomby Beach, Salten Sea as payment for services rendered to a third party. For some unknown reason, my mother became obsessively enamored with that property. So, I traded the title to the property for the car. This is all ancient history now.
This was 30 years ago, but I remember being stunned at how beautiful the car was. I just couldn't believe that I was fortunate enough to own a car like this. During the first year, I would go into the garage and polish it at all hours during the late evening. It just thrilled me to be in the presence of this magnificent work of art. The subtle hump in the rear quarter panel was mesmerizing to me. It just epitomized grace and elegance. It was truly the understatement of design that made the car world-class. The cream top and ruby red paint, and brilliant chrome with the tan interior, was perfectly balanced to give anyone seeing it a blast of excellence.
For the first 5 years, I was tickled to be seen in the car. I sold it 12 years later. I just became tired of everybody rubbernecking at me while driving the car around Palm Springs. I wanted my privacy and anonymity, which this car was not giving me any of that. Unfortunately, my year in '67 had the earlier GM 4 speed tranny [hydromatic, not the superb modern GM 3 speed turbo-hydromatic in the '68 onward years], which was difficult to maintain.
Its nice to know that if a Rolls owner hits hard times he can eat the interior
HAHAHAHH
😂😂😂😂
boot soup?
So good to see Her Majesty commanding the asphalt empire again. Not a quick or easy resurrection, but you did it right. Thanks for taking us on this long and gratifying ride.
Love that name! Her Majesty!
Not a quick or easy resurrection!!! So true!! This car did not fare well in repair shops!
It’s called “The Empress “ That’s what the ( ex owner ) older lady Alexandra called it.
Such a great comment and wordplay based on her being The Empress!
With a resurrection I think it is appropriate to give it a new name for a new life on an equal status as the past name.
Simply said, You are one of the most incredible people I've ever witnessed. You resurrect beauty from piles of debris most people would flee in terror. You are the epitome of, " I think I can, I think I can."
Wonderfully said.. So True. 😀😊
It's like Pipi Langstocking(?): I have never done this before, so I thjnk I can do this😍
@@007nadineL wow I've got that book ;) Maxwell Maultz
It amazes me when someone can look at something and see the big picture like Alex...he has a great imagination
I have an awesome cousin who bought a couple of old Rolls Royce’s at an estate auction, & spent a couple of years, many thousands of dollars, a lot of time & effort, to save, rescue, & perfectly restore them back to show quality. We call one of them “The Duchess”, because She’s a truly elegant & noble, majestic Lady
I used to deliver to the body shop at RR Crewe (in the 70s) and was amazed at the attention to detail the technicians put into the build. They even tinned the inside of the engines water jacket, which ensured you never got rusty looking water in the filler. As one man said to me, as I marvelled at the quality of his workmanship "It's not what you see that makes a Rolls so expensive, it's what you don't see". Wonderful to see you preserving, his and others craftmanship.
I cracked up at the raccoon tail..."pour encourager les autres"
Alexandra and her mother are smiling down upon you to see The Empress come back to life--and that's truly what you did, brought her back to life. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Margaret: what beautiful handwriting Alexandra had, on the note she wrote to future owners! And, all the beautifully kept servicing records and so on! All this, and the car, should be in a museum together!
I'm from Monterey California and the people who originally owned the car living in Pebble Beach were very rich. You've done a great job on the Rolls-Royce
Cool!
Inappropriate...
@@007nadineL Well that added a lot to this video. Nothing like a bucket of bile to cheer everybody up.
We're here about motor cars, not obnoxious celebrities. I tried & failed to fix a 1972 MBZ 300SEL 4.5 which was this car's direct competition then. The fit & finish was extraordinary, engineering thought, sometimes less so. Not an amateur shade tree mechanic project though. Fell in love with my stopgap Oct 1968 Corona sedan, original Vegas car.
@@007nadineL I'm from the UK. Strange you bring this up here but yep. We want them removed from taxpayers expenses and they are not welcome back in the UK. Everything that's wrong with todays generation.
I admire your great project management skills. Your kids should be very proud of your skills, talent and determination. This is not for an average person. What a beautiful outcome out of dust.
1 and a half Hours!!! I thought I will watch the start then flick to the end..... But NO....I watched it all, even had a little tear at the end...... Great job.... Really Wonderful to see a Majestic Car brought back to life... :-))))
I can not tell you how relieved I am it's back in your hands.
'followed this for the whole two years and thought you were nuts. Today I'm smiling so much that my face is sore and there are real emotional tears in my eyes. Alex you're a living breathing testimonial to positivity and optimism. The kindness, respect and generosity that you model in your self-made man life have been a great go to for getting through the terrible covid year for literally hundreds of thousands of your subscribers. Surely God loves you for what you make of your life and share with such exuberance and appreciation of value and beauty in things- and in people that others might simply overlook. Thank you for what you've managed to do. You make this world a brighter place.
Well said
Yes, and such optimism despite hard hitting setbacks and sorrows of every sort....
I agree with previous posts wishing Alex and family all the best memories enjoying the Rolls-Royce.
Same. Im over here like why am i freaking crying. Smh lol
Alex you’re a “rock star”!!
You deserve many congratulations Alexander for your inspiration to others for bringing this old lady back to near as new condition. As an owner of a Bentleyt1 1969 for over 14 years I can appreciate the work you have done and the pleasure you now have to proudly drive your lovely car. Long may it give you good service now that you have brought her back to life. Regards John Chipchase . Cambridge. UK.
'It needed to be saved.'
Much respect to you and your team man for doing an excellent job! 👌
Enjoy your Father’s Day with the Rolls. Smooth ride.
With the Rolls?! With the Rolls and the family on Father's Day. I forgot it was Father's Day. How sad?
It's gorgeous!
Melissa, drive that car. If just once! I had a car as close to the weight of a tank as I'll ever come. It's like being in your living room, sitting and driving around in a tiny house. Smooth as silk!
Luv the steering wheel! Yikes, what a great ride! I had a 1953 Buick Roadmaster, straight 8, 38,000 original miles and I hate the day we had to sell it, but...
En-friggin-joy your newest wheels, Archbold family. Pardon my New York talk. 😷😊👍🗽☮Beep, beep! 🚗
Somewhere in my things, I have a little license plate for Del Monte Forest, like yours. It went on the Rolls, because the owner lived in a gated community called Pebble Beach and that plate told the guards at gates, that you were a local resident. I lived about 1/2 mile from the main gate for years. Glad to see it’s finally restored. 👏👏❤️❤️
The accents in that body shop make me feel like your car is in good hands!
Great job! Congratulations from Germany. It shows me, that british engeneers a long time ago were able to construct beautiful cars. Where are they? What happened with the UK automotive industry? The workers and there unions strike them dead. Such great cars, such forms and grace never come back. The same with Jaguar. Jaguar XK 140, or MK 2. What a great line-management. Forever gone.
Growing up in an auto salvage yard makes me appreciate this car and video. You put many dollars and hours into saving this classic. Outstanding job young man.
This video, along with the original release, demonstrates above all others Alexander’s need for his own shop with sink to save Melissa’s kitchen for its real purpose, cooking and cleaning the kitchen. Happy Father’s Day!
Debbie here……..I was cringing when I saw what he was doing in the kitchen…LOL. Melissa is probably used to it .. I bet his own sink appears on their new property…😃. High five Alexander, job well done, it’s a beautiful car..✋🏻🖐🏿👋🤚🏽
And his own shop vac!
I do stuff like that all the time in my kitchen sink but i`m also singel LOL
Congratulations..
Thank you for saving such a beautiful example of British automotive history.
It has been said, "You never truly own a Rolls Royce, you become a custodian for a period of time"...
I hope your Rolls will remain in your family for generations, each loving it as much as you clearly do.
Safe driving..
Coolest Dad ever, taking his daughter to her book club in a 1960's convertible Rolls Royce. Epic.
I went through a similar journey, restoring my 1969 RR DHC. Took me 3 1/2 years and was a true labour of love! So much work and money, but the result is tremendously satisfying. I have had several "cars of interest" but my Rolls gets more attention than all of my other cars combined. The only advice I would like to offer, is drive it on a regular basis, if you let it sit it will give you trouble. Congratulations and enjoy!
What color is your RR. I’m just curious. My Toyota is pearl white 🤣.
@@damnitjanet3037 Its called coffee bean brown
cars is like women, lad, pay them no heed and they'll nag you to your grave
Yes I remember my 68 Shadow used to settle down on its Citroen suspension if not used often and when fired up rose like a camel back end first then front later.
Happy Father's Day for a wonderful father. All the very best Alex, and congratulations to you for your Empress. Hope you will enjoy your special day.
Your mechanic guy is fantastic - thank you for including us on your journey!
I’m sure the family that enjoyed this car gif years is smiling down on you for your hard work in restoring this gem. Great work brother.
You are living every man's dream having a chance to experience all these old cars!
Just in time for Father’s Day!! What great timing and present for yourself! Haha Happy Father’s Day!
Well done. You have saved a precious car with it's own place in automotive history. A power roof on a 53year old car is something you'd never expect, but then again Rolls are an amazing company. Every Rolls Royce is hand built and their engines powered a car that hit 301mph back in 1935 so they know a thing or two about the motor business. Even that little security immobilizer dongle is way ahead of it's time. Back in the day if you wanted to immobilise your car you had to pop your distributor cap off and remove the rotor arm!
Yours is a great restoration story, well told. You should be proud !
@TheComputec In English the words ITS and IT'S are spelled differently because they mean different things.
@@MrCuddlyable3 Seriously, was it really worth the time writing a post which made a very minor grammar point about a misplaced apostrophe in a comment which could not be misunderstood whether it was there or not? Do I lose Internet points due to this transgression? Is it just temporary or will it stay on my permanent UA-cam disciplinary record?
301 mph?
Only a connoisseur of cars can appreciate a car like Rolls Royce!.There are RR that more than 100 years old and still driving beautifully!
A RR car is forever !.
The car came out STUNNING.
Didn’t it.. Now, it time for Alexander to take his lady ( Melissa ) out on a nice date night.. I’d love to see them all dressed up and heading toward the sunset 🌇. Enjoy life guys, you so deserve it.. We love watching your adventures..
@@ajlang9668 They should definitely do that!
What a transformation! Simply beautiful. Very classy. But it was a long journey.
Some great time taken up chatting and engaging with the genius mechanics working on the fundamentals, to make the Rolls Royce beautiful and mobile again!
'If you can stop the vehicle you can drive it' - that's the spirit! Exploding or disintegrating aside, makes sense.
The phrase "a little TLC" was a mayor understatement!
A little TLC and a lot of elbow grease.
Resl Estate agent language - the only thing more damning is "Offers unrivalled scope for the keen DIY enthusiast"!
Yes perfect Father’s Day vlog; Alexander is a great dad. He shows us all the time, that when you spend your attention, patience, care and unfailing optimism, it pays off - both with cars and especially your kids! Dreams do come true. Alexander please tell me you will keep this car to enjoy it fir a good long while. It’s so gorgeous, now that you have fixed it, you should fully enjoy it! I LOVE the warning raccoon tail attached to your antennae. 🤣🤣🤣
Yes, I love that warning for the other raccoons too. 🥲🤣😂
You are so right about Alexander, he’s so smart with how he handles things, he not only makes his dream come true, but he does it for others too.. 😊⭐️😀
This family is definitely a gem ⭐️ and God broke the mold he made Alexander & Melissa.. I’m sure their kids will be wonderful human beings ( as they are now ) but, as ( Adults) with such special parents teaching them along the way.. What a testament to good parents ..are to have great kids. God bless the whole family.. much love 💕 and blessings. Happy Father’s Day to Alex, And Belated Happy Mother’s Day to Melissa ❤️💕♥️❤️💕
Let’s mention Alex can sing
It's very pleasing to see someone taking the time and trouble and spending the cash required to preserve such a beautiful piece of British [over]-engineering, and do ir correctly . I hope you all get to enjoy it for many years. Thank you and well done.
Look like it had an 1968 Ontario, Canada plate. Lovely during Canada Day seen someone completed such a classic. Cheer me up in July 1, celebrating National Day. Job well done.
Fantastic job... I couldn't wait to see the end result so I fast-forwarded it to watch the outcome!
I congratulate you for seeing a diamond in the rough and making it your own masterpiece.
U may have had to b very patient with the craftsman who worked on your car but u sure got a beauty n return. Love your channel. Best to u and your family.
Much respect to you for tackling such a project. I just bought a 72 Silver Shadow for $600. And I learned so much in diy restoration from this video alone. Keep up the great work. All the best
brilliant lucky you
I want to get a 79 GMC Pickup 🛻
The Yr I was born
Find a good price and hook it up .
How come you can afford that RR back on the road….
That was a wonderful watch. Thanks. People like you, the leather worker and the guys at the garage make this world a more beautiful place. Cheers from Holland.
We Dutch love Canadians, you guys liberated my parents.
What a wonderful video for Father's Day! Alex got his Rolls!
The Empress lives again! Thank you, Alex!
Love what you did. I bought a 1966 Mercedes 250se Cabriolet, in Fort Lauderdale, that the previous owners had ruined. Over the next 18 years I brought that car back. Auctioned it on Bring aTrailer for bags and bags of loot. Car went to a wealthy collector in Vienna Austria who then European spec'd it and he sent back pictures, magnificent!!! Regards, Giovanni
What a great restoration. I really enjoyed this video. I'm glad there are people restoring things rather than destroying them. Well done. Hopefully you and your family enjoy the car for many years to come. Hats off to you!!!
That was quite a transformation. The people who originally owned the Rolls would have been happy to see it today. It’s a beautiful car.
Congratulations!
They just don't make cars like they used to. What a gorgeous car! I'm so glad you rescued her.
Impressive collection of Corgi Automobiles, and Love that you have saved a 1968 Rolls to life again. Enjoyed the video.
"The best part of it is", you'll never meet another one and hotel valets always welcome you.
Great to have for Father’s Day! Enjoy your hard work and patience!
Thank you for reminding us of the whole story - wonderful to see you finally driving the “Empress”
That’s not a car, it’s a classic piece of quality engineering.
You’re a braver man than I’ll ever be, and kudos to all the knowledgeable guys and girls that were so essential to get this beauty in one piece and close to its original condition.
Beautiful ❤️🇷🇴🇬🇧👍🏻
Great to see it restored and fully functional. Much better than it looking like a museum piece that never gets used.
The leather swatches talk was educational 😊 Love the glow up this Rolls went through! 🚗✨
Beautiful. Beautiful Lady too. Congratulations.
I was a doubter on this project. So glad you have it running ! Look at the meat on those tires !
What an amazing restoration, and even though the body was good, that was still by any standard a daunting task both in effort and money for anyone to take on! The other positive is that you will have now given yourself the confidence to take on anything! The Rolls is a credit to you...well done!
man that leather working woman is a gem. not many left like her. Hell of a mechanic as well, top notch
Your Rolls is simply gorgeous - inside and out!! It deserves the title Empress. Congratulations!!
Watching this and all other episodes where Alexander takes what would be trashed to useful again is so encouraging. Words cannot describe how motivating this is. I greatly appreciate all hard work and thank you for sharing it with us.
This is absolutely fabulous Alex!
I loved hearing how the parts get fixed and go back together! Seeing that rebuilt motor out of the car got me really excited! I also could just imagine the satisfaction you got out of cleaning the parts especially the wood trim pieces!!! Awesome!!!😀 Thank You very much!
Amazing! Thank you for sharing everything since day 1 to the finished result. Beautiful Rolls Royce. 🚗❤️
So glad that you finally got the Empress back. I thought the synthetic raccoon tail was so Apropos. Have fun!
Looking fine in that driver’s seat 👍🏻
Her Majesty is smiling for your magnificent work. Well done.
I just watched this from start to finish.
What a journey, you're a legend for taking it on!!
That was enjoyable!
I normally don't care about cars at all, but the "journey" of this car from the original owner to now has been fascinating.
Excellent Alexander so Happy for You. Happy Father's day 😀👍❤🇨🇦🎉🎉👏👏👏👏🎉🎉💯💯
I served my apprenticeship restoring these here in the UK. I take my hat off to you. Well done not a small task. Well done for being hands on too. So many restorations are just done with a cheque book. Super looking lady too. You've picked a winner there.
Thanks for restoring The Empress! I still can’t get over the beginning pictures. It’s shocking how just a few years of neglect can destroy a ‘Proper Motor Car (PMC).’ This project makes my 1977 Silver Wraith II seem like child’s play. I’m still working on the brake and hydraulic lines. Nickel plating for the brake reservoir, rebuilding the accumulators, and then maybe some additional brake lines. Fortunately, RR still makes a lot of components like seals and gaskets. In fact, as I am learning, most things RR are designed to be rebuilt, and not merely replaced.
"most things RR are designed to be rebuilt, and not merely replaced"... we've become a 'throw-away/landfill' culture, if only more vehicles used rebuildable parts...
Oh the colour is perfect! So subtle and classic. Thank you for making a comprehensive history of this project. Happy Father's Day, Alexander. :o)
Happy Father’s Day, Beautiful car enjoy. Love your channel. Hope you find some more house clean outs love watching them
As a car guy, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed your video. Personally I think you did much better with this car than the Green 5 window Jag you wished you had that was in the mechanics shop, even though I love the older Jags. The video is a testament to more than the build itself. It's a life lesson in so many ways. Hard work and determination, optimism and the benefits of thinking positive, (BTW, I used this video to teach some of my guys how thinking positive makes a difference). You were a pleasure to watch thru the whole process and deserve more than what you received from this car, if not only for the many things I picked up by watching this video. I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart, I'm jealous and envious of the outcome and will use your positivity every time i find myself in front of a pile of...well lets just leave it at that. Thank you for the incredibly entertaining video. Be safe, be careful and enjoy that beautiful piece of rolling art!
Hats off to you sir! Excellent work from all involved. Really appreciated the delve into the history. A dip into YT at lunchtime turned into a deep dive. Really happy to find your gem of a channel!
You are more inspiration and encouragement than anyone else on the planet!
Beautiful car…Happy Father’s Day, Alex.
What a wonderful journey! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Had to do this with my first Bentley. What fun!
learned it's a lot less expensive to start with a good "driver".
White-walled (narrow version) tyres as was the fashion back in the 60s would be a nice touch. Anyone taking on these types of restoration are brave individuals. Bravo for saving this old beauty.
Its hard to find white walls nowadays
@@robertwoodpa6463 Longstone in England, Coker in the US. Expensive. but yes, available.
so happy to see that smile on your face after so much turmoil with worrying about what happened to damage your car at the shop and where they sent your car to have the body repaired. So happy you got your car back and the body looks fantastic.
Welcome to the greatest brand Britain produced. The handmade grills were a thing of beauty.
Rover P5B’s were like that too!
neighbor had 12 of them..me thinks grills were signed..
Their not finished Rolls and Bentleys are still handbuilt in the UK.
@@peter-pg5yc the grills were SIGNED? How INCREDIBILE! Stories abound, where Rolls-Royces are concerned!
Aillerons into wind. Mentioning that the grills are hand made, gives me a chance to "do my party piece", and tell my story, about what happened in 1994, when I went round the Rolls/Bentley factory. I met the actual man who made the grills! It was like a collection of upright bars he had to connect to the "Greek Temple" top part.(followed by fitting the SPIRIT Of EXTASY on top)
One of the nicest presentations starting from an unusable 'wreck'. Explaining that there was not a trace of rust in the chassis certainly instils confidence in the original build, and the knowledge of all the replacements and labour would see many years of reliable motoring ahead, although initially looking an expensive exercise. I would suggest if it was put for sale at an auction now, a premium (price) would be needed to get it..! Enjoy 'rolling on'...
The smoothest of cars for total comfort. Looks amazing very well done 👌👍
Congratulations to Alexander, Melissa and family. This is an amazing car and a part of an amazing family.....so proud of you
Great video and great job. My dad had a '50s Bentley that was a big part of family life growing up, and my uncle had the saloon (sedan) version of the Series II Shadow for a bit. Soft spot for them therefore.
This proves that anything can be repaired, it only takes time and a little money.
I hope the engine and gearbox was serviced as well. (Forgive my terms, I am from South Africa.)
Well done.
What an amazing job you did on that car
It sure is beautiful! Even the door handles were special. Great job.
The mechanics are great. They seem to know their stuff.
Absolutely, unlike american cars. Real nice chrome and wood, much is hand made. Pre 66 cars are all hand made
It's an Australian and a russian. The knowledge of this car at that shop is great
@@m42037 A lot of the 'chrome' on these cars was actually stainless hence it being relatively easy to restore some pieces.
@@markscully2342 I'm a "former" car nut for decades, meaning I had to sell my classic muscle car in 2014 due to financial issues. Yes I know much is stainless like on a 58 Buick. These old RR were hand made, I don't care for the modern one's I thought they'd keep the classic look for all that money you're paying, but no they have to put gobs of plastic on them too. Sad
lovely fellow, beautiful children - and a handful of a project to take on and maintain. Good judgement that he stuck to the basics like brakes, reliable engine etc. and didn't go too far on the ego trip with everything perfect!
Just so happy for you!!! It's good to see you driving it. Congratulations!
I love that the original owner’s name was Alexandra and you’re Alexander.
Joshua is also alexander
Destiny....right?
I’d have been so tempted to do sumptuous red leather upholstery!
Wow. Thats spooky.
I like the history, the paint Job, the mechanics and the upholstery. "Great Job".
Well done with the restoration, the car is a rare thing of beauty and deserves to be seen at its best 👍
The way you lovingly restore every original part...no matter how small , is awesome. And you are so good at it....❤
The EMPRESS is back and restored with patience and Loved. I hope that you will be able to keep her for many years. She was bought by the right person and will be enjoyed and loved. Thank you for sharing her restoration with us and know that it wasn’t inexpensive to bring her back to life.
My grandpa had a 1981 Rolls Royce cornchie convertible and that car was amazing to drive he used to let me drive it everywhere. Such a good riding comfy car
I’ve been binge watching this restoration!! You did an amazing job!!