1915 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost

High bid of $475,000 at 2022 Mecum : Monterey. (did not sell)
High bid of $610,000 at 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee. (did not sell)
Rolls-Royce built 6,173 British and 1,701 Springfield 40/50 HP models from 1907 to 1925. This particular example, registration number AO-43, was built to London-to-Edinburgh/Colonial specification. It is a right-hand drive example with a 135.5-inch wheelbase and rests atop a solid-beam live front axle with parallel semi-elliptic leaf springs and a live rear axle supported by parallel cantilever leaf springs. As a London-to-Edinburgh chassis, it has large, 25-inch diameter, steel-spoke wire wheels and correct 895-135 Dunlop Cord black tires with white letters. The wheels are painted a green color to match the body color.

Like all 1915 Silver Ghosts, this example has mechanical rear-wheel drum brakes and is powered by a 7,428cc L-head six-cylinder engine with cylinders cast in two blocks of three. As a London-to-Edinburgh/Colonial version, the compression ratio has been raised to 3.5:1, and with the help of a larger carburetor, output has been boosted to 58. There is a four-speed manual transmission with a gated shifter, and both the engine and transmission have correct 15BD stampings.

When new, this Rolls-Royce wore a Barker open tourer body but was later fitted with this Wilkinson Sports Torpedo coachwork. The exterior is finished in green and there are numerous German Silver fittings and accessories, including the windshield frame, horn and headlamps. A C.A. Vandervell electric lighting system operates the head, side and tail lamps. The rear passenger compartment features a folding windscreen. A black, steel, folding luggage rack at the rear is equipped with an original tan leather trunk. On the right side of the body is a black, fabric-covered spare tire and wheel. At the front is a German Silver Rolls-Royce radiator.

Thomas Brahmer acquired this Rolls-Royce in 1959 and commissioned a no-expense-spared restoration that was performed over the course of eight years. It later participated in the Great Alpine Rally in Switzerland in 1973 before being sold a year later at Christies Auction for 26,000 pounds. From 1982 to 2021, it was prominently displayed at the Wakui Museum in Japan. Frank Sloan recently performance a mechanical service and sympathetic detailing.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2022