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1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost news, pictures, and information
|  | View more photos Saoutchick Coachbody Coachwork: Saoutchik Chassis Num: 2442 |
 |  | View more photos Torpedo Tourer Portholme Coachwork: Portholme Chassis Num: 2491 |
It was later acquired by Ben Moser of California and was purchased from his estate in September 1933 through John Bentley with the 2nd body which is illustrated in John deCampi's 'Rolls-Royce in America,' p.22. After changing fluids and lubricating the car, we completed a Trans Continental Tour of Nova Scotia, covering over 2,500 miles. The car was sent to Hugh Mearns of West Virginia for mechanical restoration and in 1966, it was shipped to England for the FIVA rally. Following the rally, David Hemmings gave it a ground up restoration that included a replica Portholme body of original issue. Hemmings' work earned the car the Eden-Little Memorial Award (first in class) at the 1998 Annual Rally at Cottesbrooke in England.
The car completed another Trans-Continental Tour of the National Parks in the U.S. and Canada in 1998, again about 2,500 miles. It has participated in other shorter tours several times a year. This has been a very dependable tour car.
|  | View more photos Torpedo Tourer Portholme Coachwork: Portholme Chassis Num: 19MA Engine Num: 101.R |
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.
| | View more photos London to Edinburgh Tourer Coachwork: Cann |
The bodystyle name 'London to Edinburgh' was given in recognition of the Silver Ghost which traveled the journey and back in top gear without any involuntary stopping. The car achieved a fuel consumption that averaged about 28 mpg, as low as 24 and as high as 32. After this amazing feat, the car was immediately brought to Brooklands where it was driven at 78.62 mph. No adjustments or tuning had been made to the tourer.
The London to Edinburgh bodystyles were built in similar fashion to the car that had completed the journey. They were given with higher gears, higher radiators, and lightweight bodies. Their engines were given slight modifications.
| | View more photos London to Edinburgh Tourer by Mulliner Coachwork: Mulliner Chassis Num: 2517 Engine Num: 177P |
The Maharaja was a favored client of Rolls-Royce and was given the opportunity to order the first Rolls-Royce Twenty. He accepted, but went a bit farther; he ordered a whole fleet of them. Years later, during the 1930s, Rolls-Royce did not accept any orders from Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. In retaliation, the Maharaja assigned his Rolls-Royce cars to the streets, to be used for trash pickup. Only after Rolls-Royce relented did the Maharaja recall his fleet of Rolls-Royce from civil duties.
In 1985 this Rolls-Royce chassis 2517 was acquired by Richard Solove in India. The car was not in running condition, though solid and in fair condition throughout. It wore a London-to-Edinburgh Tourer coachwork which it still retains in modern times. It was brought to running and driving condition, and driven across Patiala and Pakistan to Karachi. Upon arrival, it was sent to Britain and to Jonathan Harley's shop where a four-year restoration was performed.
It is painted in a deep green with open Ghost coachwork mounted on a Colonial Silver Ghost chassis. The interior is tan leather accented by an abundance of light varnished wood trim and nickel brightwork. There is a crystal decanter and four matching tumblers. There are five bright plated wire wheels with one being an off-side mounted spare. The bell headlights are nickel plated, as is the Charles Sykes' Spirit of Ecstasy radiator-cap mascot.
There is a four-speed manual gearbox and its six-cylinder L-head engine produces 50 horsepower. In 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held on Pebble Beach, Ca where it was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $1.0 - $1.5 million. Bidding surpass those estimates as this gorgeous automobile with its magnificent history was clearly seen as the centerpiece of any fine collection. When the gavel struck for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for $1,870,000 including buyer's premium.
| | View more photos London to Edinburgh Tourer Coachwork: Barker Chassis Num: 52MA |
In 1906 a new model, the 40/50 horsepower, was developed with a longer chassis and a six-cylinder engine. The popularity of the new Rolls-Royce grew quickly as it developed a reputation for smoothness, silence, flexibility and, above all, reliability. In 1907 a writer from the 'Autocar' described riding in the Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp as '....the feeling of being wafted through the countryside.' Engineers at Rolls-Royce coined the word 'waftability' to encapsulate that sensation. Today it is a word that cannot be found in any direction but it is a key design and engineering criterion.
The twelfth 40/50 produced had all its fittings silver-plated and the coachwork painted in aluminum paint. This car became known as the Silver Ghost and is probably the most famous car in the world. The name was later adopted for all the 40/50 hp car and had an immediate international impact, enhanced by the coachbuilders of the day, who could produce bodies of breathtaking beauty. The Silver Ghost was, quite simply, in a class of its own.
The motor car's versatility is legendary. It overwhelmingly won every reliability trial and distance record, dominated the great Alpine Trial of 1913 and won the Spanish Grand Prix of that year.
In May 1907, Claude Johnson drove the car to Scotland and back. This run was a precursor to the Scottish Reliability Trial for which the motor car was later awarded a gold model by the RAC.
The original idea was to drive 10,000 miles without stopping the engine, but the Silver Ghost proved so reliable that the target was raised to 15,000 miles. Despite a stall at 629 miles, when rough roads shook the petrol switch to the off position, the Silver Ghost ran faultlessly for 40 days and nights.
A further challenge was designed by Napier for Rolls-Royce to compete against them in a run from London to Edinburgh followed by high-speed runs at Brooklands. But the challenge was to complete the distance without changing gear, as opposed to how far you could travel. The car, driven by Ernest Hives, averaged 24.3 mpg between London and Edinburgh and attained a speed of 78.2 mph at Brooklands.
As an armored car in the First World War The Silver Ghost delivered exemplary service to the extent that Colonel T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) is quoted as saying, 'A Rolls in the desert is above rubies'.
In more elegant guise the Silver Ghost was the choice of the rich and famous across the globe. Kings, queens, maharajas, tsars and emperors owned them. The demand for the Silver Ghost was so high that manufacture was started in the United States in 1921 and continued in production with worldwide success until 1925.Source - Rolls-Rocye Motor Cars Limited
The twelfth 40/50 produced had all its fittings silver-plated and the coachwork painted in aluminum paint. This car became known as the Silver Ghost and is probably the most famous car in the world. The name was later adopted for all the 40/50 hp car and had an immediate international impact, enhanced by the coachbuilders of the day, who could produce bodies of breathtaking beauty. The Silver Ghost was, quite simply, in a class of its own.
The motor car's versatility is legendary. It overwhelmingly won every reliability trial and distance record, dominated the great Alpine Trial of 1913 and won the Spanish Grand Prix of that year.
In May 1907, Claude Johnson drove the car to Scotland and back. This run was a precursor to the Scottish Reliability Trial for which the motor car was later awarded a gold model by the RAC.
The original idea was to drive 10,000 miles without stopping the engine, but the Silver Ghost proved so reliable that the target was raised to 15,000 miles. Despite a stall at 629 miles, when rough roads shook the petrol switch to the off position, the Silver Ghost ran faultlessly for 40 days and nights.
A further challenge was designed by Napier for Rolls-Royce to compete against them in a run from London to Edinburgh followed by high-speed runs at Brooklands. But the challenge was to complete the distance without changing gear, as opposed to how far you could travel. The car, driven by Ernest Hives, averaged 24.3 mpg between London and Edinburgh and attained a speed of 78.2 mph at Brooklands.
As an armored car in the First World War The Silver Ghost delivered exemplary service to the extent that Colonel T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) is quoted as saying, 'A Rolls in the desert is above rubies'.
In more elegant guise the Silver Ghost was the choice of the rich and famous across the globe. Kings, queens, maharajas, tsars and emperors owned them. The demand for the Silver Ghost was so high that manufacture was started in the United States in 1921 and continued in production with worldwide success until 1925.Source - Rolls-Rocye Motor Cars Limited
The Rolls-Royce vehicles have always been the pinnacle of design, technology, and ambiance. The loudest noise that could be heard by occupants of their vehicles was said to be the clock. In 1904 engineer Frederick Henry Royce joined with the entrepreneur and businessman, the Honorable Charles Stewart Rolls. This union became known as the Rolls-Royce Company.
The Silver Ghost became available in 1906 and brought with it quality and technology to a level that had never been seen before on a motor vehicle. Most engines of the time had long and flexible crankshafts that were prone to vibration and noise. The Rolls-Royce engines had large bearings and pressurized oiling systems, secured by seven main bearings. This was then enclosed in a strong aluminum alloy crankcase eliminating much noise and creating a pleasurable driving experience for the occupants of the vehicle. The crankshaft had an accuracy of .00025 on its bearing surface. They were hand polished to remove any surface cracks left by the grinder. Instead of using noisy chains to drive the ignition, Royce used gears. Phosphor bronze and nickel steel were used in the construction of the timing gears which were then ground and polished by hand. The engine was further shortened by casting in triplets. Cooling problems and leaks were eliminated by the removable cylinder blocks and fixed heads. A Royce designed twin jet carburetor gave the engine all the breathing it required.
The Rolls Royce vehicles could accelerate from zero to top speed without shifting. Shifting during the early 1900's was a chore, with the lower gears never being smooth. It was not until top gear was achieved that the automobiles would operate properly. The Rolls-Royce Ghosts would accelerate as though they were being pulled. This feature, coupled with the vehicles silent operation amplified the vehicles prestige and was the ultimate driving experience of its day.
When first introduced, the Ghosts were given a four-speed gearbox with a direct drive third and an overdrive fourth. As time passed, the overdrive was dropped. The chassis was mostly conventional. Royce had fine-tuned the chassis to standards much higher than most marque's of the day. The body was held in place by a live rear axle carried in three quarter elliptical springs. In the front there was a solid axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was by a food pedal connected to a transmission brake. A hand brake operated twin rear drums.
Where Royce excelled in engineering, Rolls excelled in promoting and marketing. In 1906 a Ghost was entered in the Tourist Trophy Race, one of the most prestigious races of the time. The Ghost emerged victorious - well, much more than that. It had beaten the next nearest competitor by 27 minutes. Next, Rolls and Royce entered a Ghost in a 15,000 mile reliability run in 1907 which it did without incident. Upon its return to the Rolls-Royce shop, it took a small amount of money, about two-pounds or roughly ten-dollars by today's exchange rates, to restore the vehicle back to new condition.
The Silver Ghosts were entered in the Austrian Alpine Trials where the hoods were sealed shut to prevent any maintenance. The Silver Ghosts again dominated the competition and traversed the Alpine passes which were impassable for many motor cars.
This marketing worked and soon the Rolls-Royce vehicles became legendary and renowned for their durability, reliability, and style. To improve upon the prestige even further, Rolls supplied the Silver Ghosts to British royalty, a move that made sure the vehicles were seen in the right places by the right people.
The first Rolls-Royce distributor in the United States was Walter Martin of New York City, who was also a Cadillac distributor. As Cadillac continued to improve the ambiance of their vehicles, Martin naturally gave them more attention as the logistics of company location was in their favor. Rolls-Royce, on the other hand, was an ocean apart.
Over the early years of Rolls-Royce production, Brewster would become more effective in bringing Rolls-Royce chassis to America than Martin. Brewster imported several dozen chassis to supply its coachwork clients.
In 1913, the business manager for Rolls-Royce, Claude Johnson, formed a factory depot in New York and rented space from Brewster. Baker's US agent, Robert W. Schuette was appointed as Rolls-Royce distributor. At the time, Schuette also represented Fleetwood, Holbrook, Brewster, and Quinby. Around 100 Rolls-Royce's were imported over the next two years by Schuette, with around half of them bodied by Brewster.
As the First World War began to escalate, the production of Rolls-Royce automobiles slowed considerably. The factory's attention was turned to cars for military clients. Engines were produced for aircraft. By 1916, there were no more new Rolls-Royces available. Schuette and Brewster were still able to satisfy US demand for Rolls-Royce's by buying up existing chassis, renovating, and then fitting them with new coachwork.
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The Silver Ghost became available in 1906 and brought with it quality and technology to a level that had never been seen before on a motor vehicle. Most engines of the time had long and flexible crankshafts that were prone to vibration and noise. The Rolls-Royce engines had large bearings and pressurized oiling systems, secured by seven main bearings. This was then enclosed in a strong aluminum alloy crankcase eliminating much noise and creating a pleasurable driving experience for the occupants of the vehicle. The crankshaft had an accuracy of .00025 on its bearing surface. They were hand polished to remove any surface cracks left by the grinder. Instead of using noisy chains to drive the ignition, Royce used gears. Phosphor bronze and nickel steel were used in the construction of the timing gears which were then ground and polished by hand. The engine was further shortened by casting in triplets. Cooling problems and leaks were eliminated by the removable cylinder blocks and fixed heads. A Royce designed twin jet carburetor gave the engine all the breathing it required.
The Rolls Royce vehicles could accelerate from zero to top speed without shifting. Shifting during the early 1900's was a chore, with the lower gears never being smooth. It was not until top gear was achieved that the automobiles would operate properly. The Rolls-Royce Ghosts would accelerate as though they were being pulled. This feature, coupled with the vehicles silent operation amplified the vehicles prestige and was the ultimate driving experience of its day.
When first introduced, the Ghosts were given a four-speed gearbox with a direct drive third and an overdrive fourth. As time passed, the overdrive was dropped. The chassis was mostly conventional. Royce had fine-tuned the chassis to standards much higher than most marque's of the day. The body was held in place by a live rear axle carried in three quarter elliptical springs. In the front there was a solid axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was by a food pedal connected to a transmission brake. A hand brake operated twin rear drums.
Where Royce excelled in engineering, Rolls excelled in promoting and marketing. In 1906 a Ghost was entered in the Tourist Trophy Race, one of the most prestigious races of the time. The Ghost emerged victorious - well, much more than that. It had beaten the next nearest competitor by 27 minutes. Next, Rolls and Royce entered a Ghost in a 15,000 mile reliability run in 1907 which it did without incident. Upon its return to the Rolls-Royce shop, it took a small amount of money, about two-pounds or roughly ten-dollars by today's exchange rates, to restore the vehicle back to new condition.
The Silver Ghosts were entered in the Austrian Alpine Trials where the hoods were sealed shut to prevent any maintenance. The Silver Ghosts again dominated the competition and traversed the Alpine passes which were impassable for many motor cars.
This marketing worked and soon the Rolls-Royce vehicles became legendary and renowned for their durability, reliability, and style. To improve upon the prestige even further, Rolls supplied the Silver Ghosts to British royalty, a move that made sure the vehicles were seen in the right places by the right people.
The first Rolls-Royce distributor in the United States was Walter Martin of New York City, who was also a Cadillac distributor. As Cadillac continued to improve the ambiance of their vehicles, Martin naturally gave them more attention as the logistics of company location was in their favor. Rolls-Royce, on the other hand, was an ocean apart.
Over the early years of Rolls-Royce production, Brewster would become more effective in bringing Rolls-Royce chassis to America than Martin. Brewster imported several dozen chassis to supply its coachwork clients.
In 1913, the business manager for Rolls-Royce, Claude Johnson, formed a factory depot in New York and rented space from Brewster. Baker's US agent, Robert W. Schuette was appointed as Rolls-Royce distributor. At the time, Schuette also represented Fleetwood, Holbrook, Brewster, and Quinby. Around 100 Rolls-Royce's were imported over the next two years by Schuette, with around half of them bodied by Brewster.
As the First World War began to escalate, the production of Rolls-Royce automobiles slowed considerably. The factory's attention was turned to cars for military clients. Engines were produced for aircraft. By 1916, there were no more new Rolls-Royces available. Schuette and Brewster were still able to satisfy US demand for Rolls-Royce's by buying up existing chassis, renovating, and then fitting them with new coachwork.
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Automobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com
subscribe - RSSAutomobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com