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1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Tourer

  • Coachwork by Portholme
  • Chassis Number: 19MA
  • Engine Number: 101.R
Under the long and graceful bonnet of the Silver Ghost lurked a 454 cubic-inch L-head, six-cylinder, side-valve engine. It had an aluminum alloy crankcase and a timing drive, and an ignition that was driven by gears. This engineering marvel ran without a puff of smoke and in complete silence. This accomplishment did much to boost the vehicle's appeal. In a time when operation of a motorcar was noisy, smoky, and dirty, the Rolls-Royce reigned supreme.

This 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Tourer was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. It was estimated to sell between $600,000 - $750,000. It is powered by a 7248cc six-cylinder engine capable of producing nearly 50 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel mechanically operated service and emergency drum brakes. There are four doors and it has right-hand drive.

The car was originally fitted with a Hooper Landaulette body planned to be exported to India. Plans changed, and the car was sent to New York City and into the care of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt. On a voyage from New York to Liverpool aboard the Lusitania, the ship was attacked by a German U-Boat and sank in less than 20 minutes. It was reported that Mr. Vanderbilt worked heroically to save the lives of many of the passengers and help them get to lifeboats. Mr. Vanderbilt and his valet were among the many, over 1000 passengers, who lost their lives that day.

Ownership of the car passed to his wife who kept the car until the late 1920s. The history from this point to the 1950s is not known for certain. What is known is that by the late 1950s, the car was in the care of Mr. Charles E. Lowe of Wethersfield, CT. The chassis remained in tact, but the body had been removed.

Mr. Lowe kept the car for nearly 40 years. It passed to its next owner who commissioned a comprehensive restoration. Penny Coachbuilders of Kingham was commissioned to create a new torpedo tourer body. The body was built in the style of Portholme Motor Coachworks and mimicked the body created for 17RB. The exterior is finished in white with light green accents. The interior is finished in dark green leather. The hood is finished in polished alloy.

During the restoration, the car was treated to several upgrades to make it even more enjoyable on touring expeditions. There is an engine oil filter and temperature gauge, a socket for a cell phone, rear brake lights and turn signals.

Though it is not an original car, its recreation was done to high standards, with excellent attention to detail. All of the modern upgrades have been carefully concealed and its period attire is prominent throughout the vehicle. It is a vintage automobile with a few modern enhancements that will make it a pleasure to drive on long-distance trips. Apparently, these features of the vehicle were greatly appreciated, as bidding drove the selling price above the estimated value. The vehicle found its next owner for the price of $852,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007

2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $750,000 
Sale Price :
USD $852,500

1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

(Data based on Model Year 1913 sales)
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Tourer
Chassis#: 2651
Sold for USD$434,000
  2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost 'London-to-Edinburgh' Sports Tourer
Chassis#: 2380
Sold for USD$1,001,000
  2017 Bonhams : Philadelphia Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP LONDON-EDINBURGH SILVER GHOST SPORTS TOURER
Chassis#: 2371
Sold for USD$698,500
  2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50 SILVER GHOST TOURER
Chassis#: 2517
Sold for USD$629,178
  2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp silver Ghost Roi-Des-Belges Tourer
Chassis#: 2617
Sold for USD$693,000
  2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce 45/50hp Silver Ghost London-to-Edinburgh Tourer
Chassis#: 2643
Sold for USD$1,084,875
  2013 Bonhams - The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
 
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost 'London to Edinburgh' Open Tourer
Chassis#: 2517
Sold for USD$495,880
  2011 RM Auctions - London
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Open Tourer
Chassis#: 2517
Sold for USD$800,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Open-Drive Limousine
Chassis#: 1NA
Sold for USD$328,616
  2009 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce 'Silver Ghost' 40/50hp Roi-des-Belges Tourer
Chassis#: 2617
Sold for USD$832,000
  2008 The Richard C. Paine Jr. Collection
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer
Sold for USD$1,870,000
  2007 Gooding & Company
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Sold for USD$852,500
  2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts That Failed To Sell At Auction

1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Top Hat Brougham de Ville26322023 Bonhams : Bond Street Sale $150,000$250,000
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Sports Tourer by Barker23712019 RM Sothebys : Hershey $750,000$850,000
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost London-Edinburgh Tourer23712018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge $750,000$850,000
1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Roi-de-Belges Tourer26172011 Bonhams The December Sale $450,000$500,000
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Tourer25172011 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auctions $900,000$1,300,000
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Roi-de-Belges Tourer25312009 RollsRoyce, Bentley Motor Cars and Automobilia $200,000$250,000
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Roi-de-Belges Tourer25312008 Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars, Pioneer and Vintage Motorcycles and Fine Automobilia $250,000$300,000

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1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

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