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In 1907, when horses were still the preferred mode of travel and automobiles were loud, smelly and unreliable, Henry Royce and C.S. Johnson of Rolls-Royce, Ltd., unveiled a one-of-a-kind, silver-plated, whisper-quiet 40-50 horsepower legend, the 'Silver Ghost.' Up to 1906, the most powerful engine Rolls-Royce had ever produced was a 30-horsepower, six-cylinder giant - woefully underpowered considering its seating capacity; there was room to ferry the entire family to the countryside for a Sunday afternoon picnic. But the 40-50 as they were known, were different. With a body balanced high over a silky-smooth transverse leaf spring and a drive train powered by a huge but silent seven-liter, six-cylinder inline-block, the Silver Ghost broke world endurance and mileage records - almost 24 mpg for a two-ton car - on a 15,000-mile run. Today, certain Silver Ghosts have yet to be retired; one odometer currently reads over 500,000 miles. The current owners of this example have driven the car over 20,000 miles since acquiring it in 2001.
This 'parallel bonnet' Silver Ghost was produced prior to World War I and was dispatched from the factory to the British coachbuilder, Barker. It received a high-sided torpedo phaeton body and then shipped to its original owner Dr. Frank Tidswell of Sydney, Australia. While in his care, the car was used sparingly, with factory records indicating that he had Rolls-Royce update it with a full electric starting system in the 1920s.
By 1957 it was in the care of J. Andrew of Nowra, New South Wales. At the time, the chassis and drivetrain were largely complete but the body was beyond salvation. In 1968 it was acquired by South Australian Derek Hartley, who completed the restoration with a new body along the lines of the famous Maharaja of Mysore Silver Ghost. It later returned to the United Kingdom and in 1984 was sold to Peter Harper of Cheshire. W. K. Handcock of Northumberland purchased it in 1987.
In 1991 it was acquired by a new British caretaker who treated it to a restoration to its original configuration. The torpedo phaeton body was recreated using Barker's design drawings with the work handled by the modern coachbuilding firm of Wilkinson. The chassis and engine were also freshly restored at the time along with various subtle upgrades employed. A larger carburetor was installed along with high-compression pistons, an overdrive, power steering, and larger rear brakes.
After the work was completed, the Silver Ghost was used on tours and rallies, including the 1993 reenactment of the Alpine Trial.
After the current owners acquired the Silver Ghost it was refinished in its current color scheme of deep blue with button-tufted burgundy leather upholstery.
This 'parallel bonnet' Silver Ghost was produced prior to World War I and was dispatched from the factory to the British coachbuilder, Barker. It received a high-sided torpedo phaeton body and then shipped to its original owner Dr. Frank Tidswell of Sydney, Australia. While in his care, the car was used sparingly, with factory records indicating that he had Rolls-Royce update it with a full electric starting system in the 1920s.
By 1957 it was in the care of J. Andrew of Nowra, New South Wales. At the time, the chassis and drivetrain were largely complete but the body was beyond salvation. In 1968 it was acquired by South Australian Derek Hartley, who completed the restoration with a new body along the lines of the famous Maharaja of Mysore Silver Ghost. It later returned to the United Kingdom and in 1984 was sold to Peter Harper of Cheshire. W. K. Handcock of Northumberland purchased it in 1987.
In 1991 it was acquired by a new British caretaker who treated it to a restoration to its original configuration. The torpedo phaeton body was recreated using Barker's design drawings with the work handled by the modern coachbuilding firm of Wilkinson. The chassis and engine were also freshly restored at the time along with various subtle upgrades employed. A larger carburetor was installed along with high-compression pistons, an overdrive, power steering, and larger rear brakes.
After the work was completed, the Silver Ghost was used on tours and rallies, including the 1993 reenactment of the Alpine Trial.
After the current owners acquired the Silver Ghost it was refinished in its current color scheme of deep blue with button-tufted burgundy leather upholstery.
2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $600,000-USD $750,000
Sale Price :
USD $582,500
2003 Bonhams - Important Collectors' Motor Cars
Pre-Auction Estimates :
£180,000-£220,000
Lot was not sold
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
(Data based on Model Year 1912 sales)
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges by Wilkinson Chassis#: 2006 Sold for USD$522,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton in the style of Barker Chassis#: 2018 Sold for USD$582,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP OPEN DRIVE LANDAULETTE Chassis#: 2169 Sold for USD$385,000 2017 Bonhams : The Bothwell Collection | |
1912 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50 SILVER GHOST CABRIOLET Chassis#: 2145 Sold for USD$767,967 2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction | |
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges in the style of Barker Chassis#: 2232E Sold for USD$605,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island | |
1912 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST 'London-to-Edinburgh' Light Tourer Chassis#: 2015 Sold for USD$1,387,602 2013 Bonhams : The December Sale | |
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Double Pullman Limousine Chassis#: 1907 Sold for USD$7,379,786 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood | |
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost ‘Roi-de-Belges' Tourer Chassis#: 1995E Sold for USD$200,935 2009 Rolls-Royce, Bentley Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Sold for USD$797,500 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company | |
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Barker Sold for USD$2,970,000 2007 Gooding & Company | |
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Chassis#: 2092 Sold for USD$935,000 2006 RM Auctions at Amelia Island |
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts That Failed To Sell At Auction
1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1912 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50 HP SILVER GHOST TOURER | 1921 | 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | |
1912 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST ROI-DES-BELGES | 2006 | 2016 Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1912 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST CABRIOLET | 2145 | 2014 The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $600,000 | $700,000 | |
1912 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50 HP SILVER GHOST LONDON TO EDINBURGH TYPE TOURER | 2208 | 2011 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction | $1,900,000 | $2,400,000 | |
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Torpedo Phaeton | 2018 | 2003 Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Chassis | 2082 | 2003 Bonhams Beaulieu Autojumble | $40,000 | $60,000 |
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1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
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