1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster

This Springfield Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was among the last American Silver Ghost made, and was used as a 'trials' car in preparation for the New Phantom. Modifications to the car were extensive, and included twin taillights with 'reversing' lamps, dual-filament headlights, improved double ignition, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers and a Westinghouse vacuum servo-powered four-wheel braking system. It was sold, in 1928, as a used car, to the principal of the Scullin Steel Co., of St. Louis. The body, a Picadilly roadster, was built by Merrimack Body Co., of Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork, and is original to the chassis. The present owners have toured the car extensively, including the 90th anniversary of the 1913 Alpine Trials in Austria and Italy.

This Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was manufactured in June of 1926 and used for two years as a company demonstrator and trials car. After its duties were complete, the car was refreshed before being sold to its first owner, A.J. Davis of St. Louis, Missouri, on December 28th of 1928. The list price was $13,450.

The car's second owner was Edward M. Bergen who took possession in 1937. Subsequent owners include John B. Davis of Florissant, Missouri, and then Carroll Vail, also of St. Louis. Then car was then sold to Conrad Karras of Great North, New Jersey, and Naples, Florida, who took the car on the 1973 Alpine Tour. Dennis Nicotra of Woodbridge, Connecticut, bought the car in 1986. In 1987, it was acquired William B. Ruger, in whose care it remained until it was sold from his estate in 2002. The car was mechanically restored, which included fitting two new cylinder blocks.

The next owner, Lyle Patterson, Mr. Ruger's collection manager, entered the Piccadilly Roadster in the 2003 European Alpine Tour, then several Florida concours events, including Amelia Island and Boca Raton in 2009.

In 2006, the car was given a new stainless steel exhaust system and an overdrive was added. The front seats were re-trimmed in black leather, and the body was refinished in black over gray with black wings.