1915 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Limousine

This 1915 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Silver Ghost with a Limousine body is one of only about five Rolls-Royce chassis with coachwork by Hamshaw. Hamshaw Ltd. of England was an established builder of prestigious carriages. With the introduction of the automobile, Hamshaw's talents were applied to this new form of transportation. Not only did they produce coachwork, they eventually became a dealer and seller of motorcars, and would go on to represent four brands - Wolseley, Vauxhall, Humber and Sunbeam. These automakers would receive most of Hamshaw's coachwork.

This car was originally bodied for Captain H. Whitworth of Beverley, Yorkshire, but was picked up in 1916 by Schuette, the New York Rolls-Royce distributor. The car was sent to Mrs. Alfred I. duPont of Wilmington, Delaware.

The story surrounding this car's early life includes Alfred I. duPont, one of the three duPont individuals who controlled the duPont powder company. The company was supplying gunpowder to the British in support of their war effort. Alfred requested a special Rolls-Royce limousine for his wife, Alicia. The request was made directly through King George V. Since the Rolls-Royce factory was fully engrossed in war duties, a creative solution was needed to fulfill the request. This car, though created for another individual, was a suitable Silver Ghost for Mrs. duPont.

The history of the car is unclear from this point to the mid-1950s. In 1956 it was purchased by A. Atwater Kent, Jr., and was added to his growing collection of classic cars. In 1980 it was purchased by an English collector who kept it for a short period of time before selling it to another British collector in 1983.

Terry Cohn was the next owner, taking possession of the car in 1990. Richard Solove purchased it next.

This car was one of the last Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts created before World War I. It is luxuriously appointed with a wicker trunk, ivory door pulls, C.A.V. lighting, driver's intercom, 'triple Elliott' speedometer, inlaid wood folding table, sliding driver window, silk window pulls, rear compartment trim, jump seats, and rear-compartment door pockets.

Since new, the car has been treated to an extensive restoration. In 2007 it was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, Ca where it was estimated to sell for $700,000 - $900,000. It was offered without reserve. As bidding concluded, the lot had been sold for $1,100,000 including buyers premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008