A Rolls-Royce museum. In Arnhem. Many people have heard about it. But no one knows the details. It is well known that you cannot just go there. So that's why there has never been anyone. And then there is also 'Hooper International Coachbuilder and purveyor of bespoke & collectible automobiles'.
Trade with Russia and China
Behind that nine-year 'existing' museum - and Coachbuilder and purveyor of bespoke & collectible automobiles and much more - is the man whose father once did very good business because his company was one of the two companies in the Netherlands that was behind it. Iron Curtain were allowed to do. That was actually nothing more than barter. After all, the 'Russians' had stuff, but no currency.
Selling the exchanged goods here - everything was exchanged, but at least a lot of grain - was apparently a tight business model. Toni Bienemann, the founder's son, took the idea of unique marketing tightly and was a forerunner in doing business with China.
But what about the Rolls-Royce and Bentley museum?
People with significant amounts of money also have hobbies. Toni Bienemann is crazy about cars. On Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. But he also has a preference for unique Tupperware such as a Stutz Blackhawk. And there is an A Ford racer in his collection.
From a business point of view, it is useful to place such a collection in a museum. Part of the collection is on the van Oldenbarneveltstraat in Arnhem. A larger part is - partially doorknob on doorknob - a bit further. The collection can be viewed by appointment for groups of six people and a 'guided tour'. Free.
The intention is to better present the collection and to make the museum more familiar and accessible to the public after nine years.
The Hooper link
Hooper & Co. was a British body shop based in Westminster London. From 1805 to 1959 it was a very successful maker of luxury coachworks. Founded in 1805 as Adams and Hooper, the company built elegant horse-drawn carriages, which they supplied to King William IV, Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. They turned to building motor vehicle bodies at the beginning of the 20th century. And the British Royal House was a customer there.
The first royal car, a Hooper bodywork on a Daimler chassis, was delivered to Sandringham on 28 March 1900. It was painted chocolate brown with red lines; a color scheme that remained with the royal family well into the twentieth century.
Hooper specialized in the top of the market and built the most luxurious bodies possible without taking the costs into account. The models were not sporty, because the company specialized in stately, elegant carriages.
During the First World War, Hooper became an aircraft manufacturer and eventually produced three Sopwith Camels (read the early 'Biggles' pockets!) Per day. After that war, the company returned to coaching. They withstood the Great Depression of the 1930s much better than most bodybuilders, and even built a second factory in Acton, West London. In the peak year 1936, more than 300 bodywork was built.
In 1938, Hooper acquired competitor Barker who was in financial need. Barker retained his separate identity. Hooper himself was taken over by The Daimler Company in 1940 and became part of the industrial group BSA.
Hooper's management decided to end the production of car bodywork after Rolls-Royce's plans to own 'entire cars. to make the 'pressed steel bodies'.
Brand name and rights roamed around a bit until Toni Bienemann bought them. 'Hooper' is now located on the same site where the museum can be found.
But what does the DAF block do in the museum?
The First National Rolls Royce & Bentley Museum in Arnhem
For a free tour of the: First National Rolls Royce and Bentley Museum look at:
http://www.hooperinternational.com/museum
Or send an email to:
museum@hooperinternational.com