Despite its age, the 1952 Model Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith ‘ALW 11’ owned by the Kano Emirate is one of the most famous and most expensive to maintain Rolls-Royces in Nigeria – both recent and vintage.

This Rolls-Royce was originally owned by an Armenian-British millionaire Nubar Gulbenkian who had many custom made Rolls-Royces in his collection. This particular Rolls-Royce was specially designed for him in 1952.

Over the years, this Rolls-Royce has undergone restoration and several very high cost maintenance work. Almost all the parts have been rebuilt and refitted on it.

For instance, a new ash frame for the alloy body was rebuilt. The Perspex covers for the unique front lights were recreated and replaced. A genuine Rolls-Royce badge bar was fitted on it to serve as a handrail for the Emir when he needed to stand and acknowledge his people; the speedometer was re-engineered, etc.

Of course, this sensitive piece of the Emirate’s automotive heritage is not what you would expect just any mechanic to handle.

The job of maintaining this Rolls-Royce was contracted to a long-standing British independent Rolls-Royce specialist, Chris Lee, of Beaconsfield, Bucks.

According to Chris Lee, when the Emirate contracted him for the maintenance of the Roll-Royce, he was instructed by the Emirate to do anything that was required, to keep it in proper working shape, irrespective of the cost.

Indeed, it requires a fortune to keep a 1952 automobile in top working condition.

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