Hooper (coachbuilder)

[1] It was painted chocolate brown with red lines; a livery which continued for the royal family well into the twentieth century.

Hooper specialized in the very top tier of the market, building the most luxurious bodies possible without consideration of cost.

[2] Car body customers included the Kings of Spain, Norway, Portugal and Siam, the Shah of Persia and the Negus of Abyssinia.

During World War I, Hooper turned to aircraft manufacture, eventually producing Sopwith Camels at the rate of three a day.

With re-armament in the late 1930s, another factory was opened in Park Royal, London, on Western Avenue, next to the Callard & Bowser confectionery works, and during World War II, they built fuselage sections for De Havilland Mosquito bombers, Airspeed Oxfords and gliders.

Post war, Hooper became famous for making a series of outrageously bodied large Daimlers for Lady Docker, the wife of the BSA chairman.

Whilst the paintwork was kept in glittering condition the rust came from behind and left gaping holes in the mudguards and cills causing much amusement.

[7] Cast alloy was first used about 1933 in door and windscreen pillars where the 'fight' between roof and scuttle structures tended to cause cracking.

Even the hinged rear quarter-windows are electrically operated — most unusual"[citation needed]), are celebrating their 150th anniversary in a dignified way.

The atmosphere in their St James's street showrooms is halfway between that of a fine tailor's and the waiting-room of a distinguished physician.

In 1988 used Rolls-Royces and special rates for servicing them were offered by "authorised Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealers" Hooper & Co (Coachbuilders) Limited of Clabon Works, Kimberley Road, London NW 7SH[12] and in addition they offered these special coachbuilt motor cars: A brief news item at the end of 1990 reported they would restore classic cars[14] but the advertising did not continue.