1919 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer

The 40/50hp six-cylinder Rolls-Royce was designed in 1905 and began production in 1907. The factory demonstrator, chassis 551, was dubbed the 'Silver Ghost.' That car completed a 14,731 mile Royal Auto Club trial and a top gear only drive from the South Coast to Scotland, resulting in the moniker 'Silver Ghost' for all 40/50 models. Thus the 'Best Car in the World' reputation was established.

The chassis was first made at the Manchester works facility, with production moving to Derby in July 1908, and then to Springfield, Massachusetts. Other 40/50 hp cars were given names, but the Silver Ghost title was taken up by the press, and soon all 40/50s were called by the name. This is a fact not officially recognized by Rolls-Royce until 1925 when the Phantom range was launched.

The Silver Ghost was the origin of Rolls-Royce's claim of making the 'best car in the world' - a phrase coined not by themselves, but by the prestigious publication Autocar in 1907.

This is chassis No. 20PP. It carries coachwork by Kellner and a six-cylinder, 7.5 liter, side-valve engine producing 48 horsepower. It uses a four-speed manual gearbox and has two-wheel drum brakes. The suspension consists of semi-elliptic springs in front and rear leaf springs.

Rolls-Royce only built the chassis until after WW II. Purchasers had to select a coachbuilder. It was not unusual for owners to perform a seasonal body swap.