Ray Mumford Art Car

What happens when you are the "largest classic and muscle car dearler with the biggest inventory in the West" and a not so humble Rolls Royce Silver Shadow SRH10340 turns up in the lot as a trade in?



Taking a look at the car, you certainly scratch your head. It has art work all over it in immaculate detail, but the context of the art work is not so quite clear.



Pretty much you have to go with what you were told. A 'Rolls Royce' tale no doubt. A story where fact and fiction become blurred and creative art prevails. Just like the beautiful images of Rolls Royces on the Rolls Royce.



Well that is the situation for San Diego Classic & Muscle Cars. So here is the story which precedes with the caveat "HERE IS THE STORY WE GOT WITH THIS CAR"



"IN 1971 THE FACTORY NEEDED A CAR FOR THE EUROPEAN AUTOSHOW, BUT WANTED SOMETHING UNIQUE FOR DISPLAY AND COMMISSIONED A WELL KNOWN FOR THAT TIME ARTIST TO PAINT SOME CLASSIC ROLLS ROYCE ART ON THE CAR, THE DETAIL IS AMAZING EVEN 37YRS LATER AND ITS VERY HARD TO APPRCIATE THE FINITE DETAIL OF THE AIRBRUSH ARTWORK IN A PICTURE, IT IS DONE IS A SEPIA TONE AND THE DETAILS ARE THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THIS KIND OF WORK DONE ALMOST 40YRS AGO."



"THE CAR TOURED ALL OVER EUROPE AND WAS ON DISPLAY IN A MUSEUM FOR A SHORT TIME. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RESTORED AND IS ONE OF ONE, WE DO NOT HAVE INFO ON THE ARTIST OTHER THAN THE INITIALS R.M."



"NOW THIS CAR IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT IT IS UNIQUE AND QUITE DIFFERENT."



Well luckily for the used car sales man's story, it can be clarified by some serious Rolls Royce and Bentley spotters.

Take David Irvine for example. He scratched his head after seeing the ad recalls some articles from 1979 about the car.

Then he goes to his scrap books of 100's of Rolls Royce and Bentley photos and articles and locates a couple about this particular car.

The oldest car magazine in the world Autocar had this article from 1979.



Click on the images to read the real story.

And Motor Magazine at the same time ran with this story.



A touch different to the used car salesmen's story. Who would have thought!



Here is Ray Mumford next to the car after it was finished.



And during the painting.



It is amazing detail using air brush.



So if you want to buy the car that comes with a bit of a yarn and some unique art work you can.

Ebay Item: 120432658615.

It is quite well priced at a buy it now price of US $13,900.00.




More can be read about the artist at his website http://www.raymumford.co.uk

He also painted a Corniche. Or is it a Mulliner Park Ward Drop Head Coupe?



And look! The lady has accidental forgot to put on some clothes.



How unfortunate.

Pictures courtesy (San Diego Classic & Muscle Cars, Autocar, Motor Magazine, Ray Mumford)