1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Enclosed Drive Cabriolet

This Rolls-Royce is from the penultimate year of Silver Ghost production. It is a long-wheelbase example with coachwork by Windovers Ltd. After the 'enclosed drive cabriolet' body was installed, the Rolls-Royce was shipped across the English Channel for display at the Paris Motor Show. The vehicle's first owner was E J Mayer, Esq of London W1 followed by Countess Cartwright of Grammar House, Aynho, Oxfordshire from October 1932.

The Silver Ghost was acquired in 2002 by its later owner via P&A Wood, having previously belonged to a Mr. J A Barber of Pangbourne, Berkshire. In 2007, the car was brought to P&A Woods for servicing, with work that included overhauling the magneto, flushing the fuel tank, repairing the fuel gauge and sender, and cleaning the Autovac. The vehicle's last MoT was to May 2013.

In 2013, this Rolls-Royce was sold at Bonham's Beaulieu, National Motor Museum auction.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2021

Late in 1906, the 40/50hp model was introduced at the London Motor Show – albeit alongside a 30hp Barker Limousine on the stand of C.S. Rolls and Company. Soon, Rolls-Royce adopted a single model policy, concentrating its efforts in the engineering and development on the 40/50hp six-cylinder series. These were known by the name of its earliest successful example, the 'Silver Ghost.' But while Rolls-Royce stayed with a single model designation, the Silver Ghost was anything but static in engineering, design or features. The Silver Ghost swiftly established Rolls-Royce as the ultimate in luxury motoring; so much so that the company rightfully touted every vehicle as 'The Best Car in the World.'

The Silver Ghost was rugged, powerful and quiet. It would cruise all day, swallowing up long distances, in comfort and silence. Its quiet and relaxed low-speed operation was ideally suited to restrained and elegant duty under limousine and town car coachwork.

In addition to the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, Rolls-Royce set up production facilities in the United States in 1920, choosing Springfield, Massachusetts for its access to suppliers and for the ample supply of skilled craftsmen.

This long-wheelbase 1924 Rolls-Royce wears an 'enclosed drive cabriolet body by coachbuilder Windovers Ltd. After completion, it was shipped across the English Channel for display at the 1924 Paris Motor Show. The heart of the Silver Ghost was its magnificent 7-liter engine, side valve, six-cylinder engine equipped with seven-bearing crankshaft and pressure lubrication developing 40/50 horsepower. A sturdy chassis comprised of channel-section side members and tubular cross members was suspended on semi-elliptic springs at the front and a platform leaf-spring arrangement at the rear, though the later soon came in for revision.

The car was first owned by one E.J. Mayer, Esquire, of London, England, followed by Countess Cartwright of Grammar House, Aynho, Oxfordshire, from October 1932.