Michael Luca

1923 Originally a Hooper Limousine later converted to an Ice Cream Van 65H8

Michael's grandfather Mr Scappaticcio bought 65H8 in the late 1930's from a dealer in London when the body was rather dilapidated and drove it home to Scotland. Shortly afterwards work began in transferring 65H8 into an ice cream van to be used in the family's ice cream business. In the early days the only way to keep the ice cream cold was to use dry ice which was being manufactured in those days, placing the ice cream over the dry ice. The Rolls Royce was laid up during the war but brought back into service shortly afterwards. In the 1950's a new cooling system was introduced by way of a refrigerating compressor. 

Due to the lack of headroom in the van there is a hatch in the floor which allows Michael to step down and stand upright serving customers at eye level. 

Michael the current owner and his son use the ice cream van regularly and naturally it proves very popular wherever it goes. It's especially popular at weddings, after all what is better than enjoying a Luca ice cream at a Scottish Castle wedding. Michael has no intention of retiring it from use and continues to maintain it with care especially considerate of the vehicle's history and its rather unrestored condition.

A 9 page article in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of Rolls-Royce & Bentley Driver details the unique history of this 20hp.