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1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi-des-Belges Tourer

  • Coachwork by Barker
  • Chassis Number: 1203
  • Engine Number: 1203
  • Registration Number: A-101
Introduced in 1907, when horses were still the preferred mode of travel and automobiles were loud, smelly and unreliable, Henry Royce and C.S. Johnson of Rolls-Royce, Ltd. unveiled a one-of-a-kind, whisper quiet 40-50hp legend, the 'Silver Ghost.'

Up to 1906, the most powerful engine Rolls-Royce had ever produced was a 30hp, six-cylinder giant - woefully underpowered considering its seating capacity; there was room to ferry the entire family to the countryside for a Sunday picnic. But the 40-50s, as they were known were different.

With a body balanced high over a silky-smooth, transverse leaf spring and a drive-train powered by a huge but silent seven-liter, six-cylinder inline block, the Silver Ghost broke world endurance and mileage records - almost 24 mph for a two-ton car - on a 15,000 mile run. The car is equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and a top speed of 34 mph.

Previous owners of this 1909 Silver Ghost reads like a 'The Who's Who' of the worlds most serious and best car collectors.

This car is chassis number 1203 with matching engine number. It has coachwork in the style of Barker which it was given during a restoration. The first owner was Thornton & Schieber, Ltd who ordered a seven-passenger landaulette with coachwork by Hooper. The next owner was A. Hutton and by 1935, was owned by Noel Armitage.
In 1946 the car was in Cow Roast scrap-yard near Tring in Hertfordshire. It was discovered by D. Abbott-Anderson. S.J. 'Jimmy' Skinner became its next owner. J.M. Levin was the next owner and brought 1203 to North America. Rick Carroll followed by Bill Lassiter were the next to own this car. In 1999 it returned to the UK.

The Silver Ghost Barker body is believed to have been built by Willis in 1972. It was in the style of car number 60551, the 12th built in the series. The car was the company's demonstrator and outfitted with a Rois des Belges-style body by Barker. The bright-work was nickel plated, the aluminum hood was polished and the coachwork painted in silver.

In 2003 Richard Solove purchased this car and added it to his growing 40/50 hp Rolls-Royce collection. The prior owner had restored the car and it was in excellent condition. It traveled around 8,000 miles during the four years of ownership.

The car is finished in German silver in memory of the original Silver Ghost. There is an Elliott speedometer, fuel pressure and oil pressure gauges, a Smiths eight-day clock and a Chadburns 'Motor Aneroid' barometer. The rear-seat passengers are treated to a separate Auster windscreen. There is a fully stocked tool box on the running board, an electric starter fitted for convenience, and a new tonneau cover. The interior upholstery is dark green leather.

At the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Rolls was the recipient of the Charles A. Chayne Trophy. In 2005 it won the Millard Newman Award for the Rolls-Royce Best Representing The Spirit of Millard Newman at Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

In 2007 the Roi Des Belges Silver Ghost was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, Ca. The lot was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $800,000 - $1,200,000. Bidding exceeding those estimates, settling at $1,485,000 including buyer's premium.

2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $1,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,325,000

2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $1,300,000 
Sale Price :
USD $825,000

2007 Gooding & Company

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $1,200,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,485,000

2003 Bonhams - Important Collectors' Motor Cars

Sale Price :
USD $627,217 (£ 364,500.00)

1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

(Data based on Model Year 1909 sales)
1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges in the style of Barker
Chassis#: 1175
Sold for USD$698,500
  2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi des Belges 'The Silver Fairy' in the style of Barker
Chassis#: 970
Sold for USD$885,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges in the style of Barker
Chassis#: 1203
Sold for USD$1,325,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges
Chassis#: 1203
Sold for USD$825,000
  2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Sold for USD$1,485,000
  2007 Gooding & Company
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  
1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost ‘Roi-de-Belges' Tourer
Chassis#: 1203
Sold for USD$627,217
  2003 Bonhams - Important Collectors' Motor Cars
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost image  

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts That Failed To Sell At Auction

1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1909 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST OPEN DRIVE LANDAULETTE11202021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction $1,300,000$1,500,000
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi des Belges The Silver Fairy in the style of Barker9702018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $1,000,000$1,250,000

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1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
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Other Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost model years

1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Vehicle Profiles

1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost vehicle information
Roi-des-Belges Tourer
Coachwork: Barker
Chassis #: 1175
Engine #: 1175
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost vehicle information
Open Drive Landaulette
Coachwork: Barker
Chassis #: 1120
Engine #: 1120
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost vehicle information
Roi-des-Belges Tourer
Chassis #: 970
Engine #: 60970
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost vehicle information
Roi-des-Belges Tourer
Coachwork: Barker
1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost vehicle information
Roi-des-Belges Tourer
Coachwork: Barker
Chassis #: 1203
Engine #: 1203