Dario Franchitti Aquires 1-of-1 Rolls-Royce Silver Spectre Shooting Brake by Niels van Roij Design

Admittedly, we watch Netherlands-based Niels van Roij Design with great interest. While no, they’re not a factory tailor nor a remastering firm like so many you’ll find on this site, they perhaps are even more unique.

They’re a coach builder. They use the terms and we’d agree. In the spirit of pre-war coach builders from whom you’d commission your custom bodied Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Horch, Bugatti, Packard or the like, clients can and do commission highly specialized cars from Neils van Roij, and his firm delivers. In this case, the car was a modern Rolls-Royce Silver Spectre, though built as a shooting brake.

What’s a “shooting brake”? Much like the “station wagon” term comes from the day of horses pulling carriages. Whereas you’d take your station wagon with bed for storage to the train station, you’d take your shooting brake built for carrying guns and equipment to go out shooting. It’s all very logical of course, just like shooting brakes and station wagons with their long roofs enabling you to carry more luggage, gear, guns, hunting hounds, or whatever you may need.

This isn’t a reveal of the Silver Spectre Shooting Brake. The car has made its rounds on media platforms, though Neils van Roij design’s post this week on social media is still worth taking note of. As it turns out, this very special car has a notable new owner – famed racing driver Dario Franchitti.

According to the post, the car was recently listed with Joe Jacari, which is how Franchitti came to own it.

Follow Niels van Roij design HERE.