Known simply as 'The Best Car in the World,' the 40/50 hp Rolls-Royce was produced from 1907 until 1926. Originally named the '40/50 h.p.' the chassis was first made at Royce's Manchester works, with production moving to Derby in July of 1908, and then between 1921 and 1926, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In 1907, Rolls-Royce, ordered a car to be used as a demonstrator by the burgeoning company. That car, with chassis number 60551 and registered AX 201, was painted in aluminum paint with silver-plated fittings. The car was named the 'Silver Ghost' to emphasize its ghost-like quietness. Since then, the series has been known by those two words.

Cars of this time were notoriously unreliable, and roads of the day could be horrendous, causing parts to fail. This was not so with the cars from Rolls-Royce, which were known for amazing reliability, durability and silence of operation.

The first owners were Alla Nazimova, a silent movie era actress from Russia and her husband Charles Bryant, a British born actor. The press eventually uncovered that their union was a sham and scandal ensued.

The Silver Ghost established Rolls-Royce's claim of making the 'Best car in the World,' a reputation that lasts to this day and makes the name Rolls-Royce one of the most recognized trademarks in existence.