Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
The Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP, now known as the Silver Ghost, was first built in 1906 with quality that had never been seen before on a motor vehicle. The 40/50's large bearings and pressurized oiling system eliminated the noise and unwanted vibration that were then common on other cars. The chassis was also built to much higher standards than most models of the day. This 1920 Silver Ghost wears coachwork by Barker. One of the most original Silver Ghosts in the world, it has had very few changes in ownership during its 94 years of existence. In 1937 the car was put on blocks in the lower level of San Francisco's Green Street Garage, and there it remained until 1967 when it was sold. The car was then moved to the new owner's basement garage where it remained for the next forty years. In 2008, it was moved to a local restoration ship where it was found to be in excellent shape considering its age. The car was brought to running condition in preparation for the 2008 Pebble Beach Auction. Its current owners acquired the car in 2013.
Possibly the most significant car ever built, the Silver Ghost was produced from 1907 through 1926. Thousands of examples remain on the road and are used extensively, a testament to their design and construction. This car wears coachwork by Barker
Originally called a '40/50', this chassis style was first produced in Manchester and later at the Derby factory. Then between 1921 and 1926 in Springfield, Massachusetts. While the name 'The Silver Ghost' was originally given to chassis no. 60551, the title 'Silver Ghost' was taken by the press. The name was used to emphasize the ghost-like quietness of the car.
This 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roadster wears coachwork by Barker and is one of the most undisturbed Silver Ghosts in existence. It has had only two owners in its 88 years of existence. In 1937, its owner put the car on blocks in the lower levels of San Francisco's Green Street Garage. Just prior to coming to auction in 2008, it had not moved under its power since 1937. The car remained in the garage until 1967 when it was sold to the current owner by the estate of the prior owner.
The car was moved from the garage to the new owner's basement garage where it would remain for the next forty years. In May of 2008, it was moved to a Monterey Peninsula classic restoration shop where it was found to be in excellent shape, considering its age. All of the fluids in the car had been drained and the cylinders filled with oil. The car was brought to running condition in preparation for the Gooding & Company auction, held in August of 2008 at Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. Bidding exceeded those estimates as the lot was sold for $429,000, including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
Originally called a '40/50', this chassis style was first produced in Manchester and later at the Derby factory. Then between 1921 and 1926 in Springfield, Massachusetts. While the name 'The Silver Ghost' was originally given to chassis no. 60551, the title 'Silver Ghost' was taken by the press. The name was used to emphasize the ghost-like quietness of the car.
This 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roadster wears coachwork by Barker and is one of the most undisturbed Silver Ghosts in existence. It has had only two owners in its 88 years of existence. In 1937, its owner put the car on blocks in the lower levels of San Francisco's Green Street Garage. Just prior to coming to auction in 2008, it had not moved under its power since 1937. The car remained in the garage until 1967 when it was sold to the current owner by the estate of the prior owner.
The car was moved from the garage to the new owner's basement garage where it would remain for the next forty years. In May of 2008, it was moved to a Monterey Peninsula classic restoration shop where it was found to be in excellent shape, considering its age. All of the fluids in the car had been drained and the cylinders filled with oil. The car was brought to running condition in preparation for the Gooding & Company auction, held in August of 2008 at Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. Bidding exceeded those estimates as the lot was sold for $429,000, including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009
2008 Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $250,000-USD $350,000
Sale Price :
USD $429,000
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
(Data based on Model Year 1920 sales)
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Tourer by Rothschild et Fils Chassis#: 69CW Sold for USD$237,190 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1920 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST ALPINE EAGLE SKIFF TORPEDO Chassis#: 40FW Sold for USD$259,867 2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | |
1920 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PALL MALL TOURER BY MERRIMAC Chassis#: 80EE Sold for USD$371,150 2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance | |
1920 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST TOURER Chassis#: 50PE Sold for USD$126,894 2021 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | |
1920/21 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST DOCTOR'S CONVERTIBLE COUPÉ Chassis#: 26TE Sold for USD$118,070 2020 Bonhams : The Golden Age of Motoring Sale (1886 - 1939) | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Brougham De Ville Sold for USD$142,110 2019 Shannons - Sydney Winter Classic | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer Chassis#: 10CW Sold for USD$268,420 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood | |
1920 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST BY BARKER Chassis#: 5YE Sold for USD$102,342 2018 Coys - The Royal Horticultural Halls Westminster, London | |
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Dual Windshield Tourer Sold for USD$167,750 2013 Auctions America - California | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Gentleman's Roadster Chassis#: 80 LE Sold for USD$435,000 2011 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Tourer Chassis#: 33PE Sold for USD$375,805 2010 Bonhams - Automobiles d'Exception á Rétromobile | |
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Chassis#: 36PE Sold for USD$429,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Sedanca de Ville Chassis#: 60RE Sold for USD$66,964 2008 Automobiles of London |
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts That Failed To Sell At Auction
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Coupé Chauffeur by Binder | 60RE | 2015 RM Sotheby's London Auction | |||
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Cabriolet | 46PE | 2013 Bonhams Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $250,000 | $300,000 | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 45/50hp Silver Ghost Doctors Coupé | 49RE | 2010 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley Motor Cars and Automobilia | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Silver Ghost Coupé de Ville by Mulbacher | 24 AE | 2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco | $130,000 | $200,000 | $280,000 |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Chassis | 68TE | 2003 Bonhams Beaulieu Autojumble | $20,000 | $25,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $238,505 range.
1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup Chassis#:9jpl19338 Sold for $237,999 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1971 Plymouth Cuda Coupe Chassis#:bs23v1b264783 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1967 Chevrolet Corvette A/C Convertible Chassis#:194677s104853 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1989 Ferrari 328 GTS Chassis#:zffxa20a1k0082356 Sold for $239,250 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1973 Porsche 911S Coupe Chassis#:9113300200 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1933 Packard Super Eight Roadster Chassis#:65974 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
2005 Ferrari Superamerica Chassis#:zffgt61ax50145720 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:20867S101806 Sold for $238,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1966 ASTON MARTIN DB6 VANTAGE SALOON Chassis#:DB62805R Sold for $238,700 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2023 PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN GT4RS Chassis#:WP0AE2A89PS280733 Sold for $236,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1948 Chris-Craft Deluxe Runabout 17' Boat Bar Sold for $240,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1995 Ferrari F355 Spider Chassis#:ZFFPR48A3S0104074 Sold for $240,800 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1994 Porsche 911 Speedster Chassis#:WP0CB2965RS465191 Sold for $240,800 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
2019 PORSCHE 911 GT3 CUP Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZKS198296 Sold for $240,800 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | |
1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Tourer by Rothschild et Fils Chassis#:69CW Sold for $237,190 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello Chassis#:ZFFBT55B000129504 Sold for $238,818 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
2024 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 Chassis#:1G1FK1R63R0104294 Sold for $236,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 Plymouth Cuda Convertible Chassis#:bs27v0b133363 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible Chassis#:bs27n1b268398 Sold for $239,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:194676s120063 Sold for $236,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee |
1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost model years