1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Double Pullman Limousine

This car, chassis and engine number 1907, is a Silver Ghost Double Pullman Limousine with coachwork by Barker. It has a long-wheelbase providing plenty of interior room for the passengers. It is lavishly equipped and sumptuously detailed in every detail. It was built for John M. Stephens of South Croydon. Mr. Stephens had also owned chassis number 60539, the first 40/50 HP Silver Ghost.

This car is the only Pullman-bodied Silver Ghost built by Barker in existence. It has many interesting features, such as its lack of a divider window, hinting at its owner-driven characteristics. In total, there are 29 beveled glass windows including the very intriguing curved glass corners. For additional privacy, there are silk window curtains. The interior fittings are silver and the door pulls are ivory. The window pulls and door panels are trimmed in embroidered silk.

There is a complete picnic and tea service for four conveniently concealed in the rear compartment's footrest. The spare tire can be found on the roof within a luggage grid with curlicue terminals.

Within the drivers compartment there are Double Elliott speedometer and an abundance of nickel-plated bright-work.

It was in the J.C. Sword Collection in East Balgray, Ayrshire after it left Mr. Stephen's ownership. In 1962 it was offered for sale at the Sword Collection auction where it was purchased by Denis de Ferranti in North Wales. In 1986 it was acquired by Terry Cohn and purchased by Richard Solove in 1992. While in Solove's care, the limo was treated to a restoration by Rod Brown. It has been shown at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island and one of the finest Silver Ghost examples in existence.

In 2007 the 40/50hp Silver Ghost Double Pullman Limousine was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, Ca. The lot was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $2.0 - $3.0 million. On auction day it was one of the highlights that crossed the auction block. It was sold for a sum of $2,970,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008