1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Grand Luxe

The London-to-Edinburgh-style chassis of this Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was finished on 13 March 1914 and shipped to Van den Plas Coachbuilders in Belgium to be bodied. It was fitted with a Torpedo Grand Luxe body, which was revolutionary for the time, featuring a full disappearing hood (top), tool boxes fitted to both front fenders, one-pierce aluminum body work with no seams and dash boards fitted with instruments and switches. This car is the only surviving Silver Ghost with Van den Plas coachwork that is still in complete, original condition. The car features armchair rear seating, as well as the complete silver and glassware set supplied with the car when new. The car was shipped from the bodyworks only days before the German invasion of Belgium which marked the beginning of World War I. The other two Silver Ghost which were in the bodyworks at the same time have disappeared. Hence, this example is the last surviving pre-WWI Silver Ghost to be bodied by Van den Plas.