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Rolls-Royce automobiles are special in their own right - among the finest in the world. This Rolls-Royce is a bit more special as it was owned by the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes during his halcyon Hollywood years.
This automobile is known as a 'Springfield Rolls-Royce,' since the car was manufactured in Rolls-Royce's American plant in Springfield, Mass. (operational from 1920 until 1931). The Pall Mall Tourer body was built by Rolls-Royce Custom Coachworks in New Haven, Conn. The body style is attractive and functional, ideally suited for countryside touring.
This was the last year for the Silver Ghost; it was succeeded by the Phantom I. The Silver Ghost was powered by a six cylinder motor that developed 120 brake horsepower.
Chassis number S226PL is a Merrimac-build Pall Mall tourer. It is a left-hand drive example with a three-speed central-change gear box and dual ignition.
The Merrimac Body Co. was formed in January of 1920 by some of the principals from the J.B. Judkins Co. at Amesbury, Massachusetts. Judkins had received a large order from Mercer and needed additional space to build open bodies. Thus a new factory was constructed at nearby Merrimac, also called West Amesbury. Though it is sometimes described as a subsidiary of Judkins, Merrimac was actually a separate company. They specialized in tourers and roadsters for such customers as DuPont, Franklin, Locomobile and Mercer, in addition to Rolls-Royce.
The Great Depression was a difficult period of time, and Merrimac suffered along with the rest of the country. They essentially ceased coachbuilding in 1931, but remained in business, doing upkeep and refurbishment for customers until 1934.
This vehicle is believed to have been used by Ella Hughes, wife of Howard Hughes. It remained in Houston after they moved to Hollywood, where Hughes was embarking on a career as a film director and producer. It is believed to have remained in storage at Houston for over 5 decades. In May of 2005, the car was purchased by the current owner and then treated to a complete, frame-off restoration. Upon completion, it was invited to the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it was awarded Second in Class.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
This automobile is known as a 'Springfield Rolls-Royce,' since the car was manufactured in Rolls-Royce's American plant in Springfield, Mass. (operational from 1920 until 1931). The Pall Mall Tourer body was built by Rolls-Royce Custom Coachworks in New Haven, Conn. The body style is attractive and functional, ideally suited for countryside touring.
This was the last year for the Silver Ghost; it was succeeded by the Phantom I. The Silver Ghost was powered by a six cylinder motor that developed 120 brake horsepower.
Chassis number S226PL is a Merrimac-build Pall Mall tourer. It is a left-hand drive example with a three-speed central-change gear box and dual ignition.
The Merrimac Body Co. was formed in January of 1920 by some of the principals from the J.B. Judkins Co. at Amesbury, Massachusetts. Judkins had received a large order from Mercer and needed additional space to build open bodies. Thus a new factory was constructed at nearby Merrimac, also called West Amesbury. Though it is sometimes described as a subsidiary of Judkins, Merrimac was actually a separate company. They specialized in tourers and roadsters for such customers as DuPont, Franklin, Locomobile and Mercer, in addition to Rolls-Royce.
The Great Depression was a difficult period of time, and Merrimac suffered along with the rest of the country. They essentially ceased coachbuilding in 1931, but remained in business, doing upkeep and refurbishment for customers until 1934.
This vehicle is believed to have been used by Ella Hughes, wife of Howard Hughes. It remained in Houston after they moved to Hollywood, where Hughes was embarking on a career as a film director and producer. It is believed to have remained in storage at Houston for over 5 decades. In May of 2005, the car was purchased by the current owner and then treated to a complete, frame-off restoration. Upon completion, it was invited to the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it was awarded Second in Class.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $300,000-USD $400,000
Sale Price :
USD $319,000
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
(Data based on Model Year 1926 sales)
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster in the style of Merrimac Chassis#: S272PL Sold for USD$308,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster by Brewster Chassis#: S208ML Sold for USD$335,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster Chassis#: S178ML Sold for USD$1,325,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST BOAT TAIL ROADSTER Chassis#: S377RL Sold for USD$95,200 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer by Merrimac Chassis#: S366RL Sold for USD$196,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tilbury Sedan Chassis#: S 256 PL Sold for USD$68,320 2018 Bonhams : Collectors Motorcars and Automobilia Auction | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tilbury Sedan by Willoughby Chassis#: S360RL Sold for USD$131,600 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST PICK-UP Chassis#: S248PK Sold for USD$159,500 2017 Bonhams : The Bothwell Collection | |
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PICCADILLY ROADSTER Sold for USD$357,500 2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster Chassis#: S400RK Sold for USD$264,000 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Springfield Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Sold for USD$213,266 2013 Coys Auction - A236 True Greats | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Springfield Silver Ghost Playboy Convertible Coupe by Brewster Chassis#: S400RK Sold for USD$313,500 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Playboy Deluxe Roadster Chassis#: S208ML Sold for USD$495,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer by Merrimac Chassis#: S226PL Sold for USD$319,000 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | |
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Silver Ghost Boat-Tail Speedster Chassis#: S337RL Sold for USD$320,216 2010 RM Auctions - Sporting Classics of Monaco | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Chassis#: S255PL Sold for USD$319,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Springfield Silver Ghost Tilbury Sedan Chassis#: S360RL Sold for USD$160,000 2007 Bonhams - Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia featuring The Frank Cooke Collection Part II | |
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost London-Edinburgh style Torpedo Tourer Chassis#: S178ML Sold for USD$161,000 2006 Bonhams - The Frank Cooke Collection |
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts That Failed To Sell At Auction
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster | S335RL | 2022 Bonhams : The Audrain Concours Auction | |||
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster | S306PL | 2018 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $340,000 | $400,000 | |
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster | S295PL | 2016 Bonhams : The December Sale | $250,000 | $280,000 | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster by Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work | S295PL | 2016 RM Sotheby's : London Sale | $280,000 | $320,000 | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall | S236PL | 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | $300,000 | $375,000 | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster | S335RL | 2014 Rick Cole Auctions : Monterey | $395,000 | $425,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster | S335RL | 2014 Gooding & Company The Scottsdale Auction | $400,000 | $500,000 | |
1926 Rolls-Royce 45/50hp Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster | S400RK | 2012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia | $120,000 | $150,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $307,839 range.
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1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE Chassis#:30837S110305 Sold for $308,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:30837s114827 Sold for $308,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster in the style of Merrimac Chassis#:S272PL Sold for $308,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1936 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Convertible Coupe and Curtiss Aerocar Trailer Chassis#:3120036 Sold for $307,500 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
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1961 Balchowsky Ol' Yaller Mk VII Chassis#:Mk VII Sold for $307,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
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1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Cabriolet Sold for $308,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
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• Other Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost model years