1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roadster

The 1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost two-passenger roadster with coachwork by Wilkinson was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey California. It was estimated to sell between $600,000-$800,000. On March 30th, 1911 the vehicle was sent to testing where it was verified to be up to Rolls-Royce standards for excellence. It was then sent to Baker where it was given a Tourer body. The first owner was Mrs. O. White of London; the second owner was Dr. Dossert of Paris and New York. The vehicle was sold again in 1915 to W. T. Kissell of New York.

In 1989 the vehicle was purchased in chassis form and without coachwork. The roadster coachwork, believed to be the work of Wilkinson during the 1960s, was purchased from the late Millard Newman and adapted to the chassis. The body is a copy of work done by H. J. Mulliner for chassis number 60785, said to be the balloon car. Chassis 60785 was owned by the Honorable Charles Rolls who was an avid aviator and balloon enthusiast. A large rear deck in the rear of back of the car provided ample room to carry the basket for his ballooning expeditions.

The restoration was very detailed and down to the nut-and-bolts. Every detail of the vehicle is said to be period correct, except for the addition of an electric starter which is hidden from view. The button was placed under the driver's seat. It has traveled less than 1,000 road miles since the restoration. It was hailed as the finest Ghost in the country. It has won awards in many shows, including the Scher trophy for Best in Show at the R.R.O.C. meet in Kentucky in 2002.

At the RM Auction in Monterey, CA the 1911 Rolls-Royce proved to be very popular as bidding exceeded the estimated value, reaching $858,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006