1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

The Rolls-Royce Company was founded by engineer Frederick Henry Royce and entrepreneur the Honourable Charles Stewart Rolls, and prior to 1908, manufactured a variety of models at its Manchester premises (In 1908 they relocated to a new factory in Derby). They produced cars with two, three, four, and six cylinders and even worked on a V8, before Managing Director Claude Johnson's decision to focus on the 40/50hp model that would become known as the 'Silver Ghost.' It had first appeared at the 1906 London Motor Show and the following year earned its nickname when chassis number '60551' was exhibited wearing silver-painted tourer coachwork by Barker & Co.

The Silver Ghost was powered by a 7,036cc (later growing to 7,428cc) side-valve six equipped with a seven-bearing crankshaft and pressure lubrication. The chassis was comprised of channel-section side members and tubular cross members that were suspended on semi-elliptic springs at the front and a 'platform' leaf spring arrangement at the rear. The rear suspension setup was soon revised, and the transmission was changed to a three-speed gearbox with direct-drive top gear replacing the original four-speed/overdrive top unit in 1909.

Numerous improvements would be made during its 20-year production lifespan with perhaps one the most important changes being the adoption of servo-assisted four-wheel brakes towards the end of 1923. From 1921, two spark plugs were fitted to each cylinder with a choice of coil ignition or magneto. The earlier cars were fitted with a trembler coil to produce the spark with a magneto as an optional extra which later became standard. Rolls-Royce instructed its customers to start the engine on the battery/trembler and then switch to magneto.

In 1914, electric lighting became optional and was standardized in 1919. Electric lights replaced the older ones that used oil or acetylene. Electric starting was fitted from 1919.

From 1921 through 1926, the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost series chassis were built by Rolls-Royce of North America, Inc. in the Springfield, Massachusetts factory. The production of Silver Ghosts was subsequently followed by the new Phantom series from 1926 until the facility closed its doors in 1931. From 1921 to 1926, a total of 1,703 Springfield Silver Ghosts were built.

From 1906 to 1926, Rolls-Royce built a total of 7,874 examples of the Silver Ghost.

by Dan Vaughan

LWB Touring Car
Chassis number: 72 LG

In 1919, after World War I, Rolls-Royce England was two years behind in filling chassis orders. For this and other economic reasons, the decision was made to build up to 350 chassis each year in Springfield, MA. The chassis were to be identical to the English-built Rolls, but the Springfield chassis were to be fitted with some standard type bodies, which the American market desired. This car was ordered by Mrs. Vallerie Timken with a RRCCW touring body. The car was delivered in May of 1921, at her Beverly Hills summer estate. Records indicate that this chassis was number 55 out of 132 built in 1921. It is the fourth oldest Silver Ghost known to survive. The car was still in her possession in 1933, when an interior fire rendered it undriveable. This car has a 144-inch wheelbase and a six-cylinder, 453 cubic-inch engine developing 48 horsepower. The car weighs 4,000 pounds and has a top speed of 65 mph. The cost new was about $12,000 or the equivalent of three new Cadillacs.

Tourer by Locke

This vehicle is a 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer with coachwork by Locke.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster by Plaxton

Records indicate this chassis was ordered by a brewery owner in Liverpool. The son of the owner oversaw the construction of the body by the Laxton Company in Scarborough. He was said to be a large man and hence the oversized passenger side of the seat. He was also an avid cigar smoker and had a solid silver ash tray installed. The Plaxton Company is still in business today.

The second owner bought the car in 1934 with 75,000 miles on it. He only put 5,000 miles on the vehicle and sold it in 1965. Additional notes say the car was not driven from 1949 through 1965. It changed hands a couple more times before the current owners purchased the car and, within months, bravely drove it on their first Wholly Ghost Tour in North Carolina.

Pall Mall Tourer

This car is the earliest open Springfield-built Rolls-Royce known to exist. In 1921, Rolls-Royce decided to build some motor cars in the United States, and it chose Springfield, Massachusetts, as its base. That location was chosen for its proximity to major northeastern markets and important suppliers as well as the supply of skilled craftsmen trained in the armories of the Connecticut River valley and the New England machine tool industry. The 40/50 horsepower Silver Ghosts were shipped from England and assembled in Springfield.

This particular Springfield-built motor car was sold new in Los Angeles and was owned by a number of prominent people there before being purchased by the Bothwell family and stored for over sixty years.

Torpedo Phaeton by Barker
Chassis number: 50UG

Chassis number 50UG was given the higher compression engine, higher speed gearing and 'D' rake steering and levers. After its testing was complete, the car was sent to Hooper & Co, where a Touring Phaeton body was fitted. It was fitted in ivory with a black chassis, under-fenders and wheels, as well as apple green leather.

The car was built for Rolls-Royce of Bombay and shipped on board the S.S. 'Nankin' on November 4th of 1921 for the Calcutta Motor Show held on December 19th of 1921. This car, along with a Barker Cabriolet (chassis number 126 AG), were both featured in the December 17th issue of The Autocar.

H.H. the Maharajah of Charkhari acquired the car at the Motor Show. On March 31st of 1926, His Highness returned the car to the factory, where it was given a polished alloy Torpedo Phaeton body with the work performed by Barker.

Years ago, the car was discovered in India where it still wore its period Barker polished alloy coachwork, and showing approximately 10,000 miles on the odometer.

The prior owner acquired the car in 1990 and immediately commissioned a professional restoration. After the work was completed in 1995, the car was shown at a number of events, including the Meadow Brook Concours in 1995, Amelia Island Concours in 1999, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In every event it attended, it was an award winner.

In early 2007, the car was sold to Mr. John O'Quinn.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Arizona sale where it was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $450,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $379,500, inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Oxford Tourer
Chassis number: 95MG
Engine number: 20-92

Rolls-Royce had an American factory at Springfield, Massachusetts from 1919 to 1931. Rolls-Royce offered a range of bodies to be sold under the name 'Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork.' Most of these were built by Brewster, but some were commissioned by Merrimack, Willoughby, Holbrook, and Biddle & Smart. They all carried the names of British landmarks—Croydon and Henley convertibles, St. Stephen and St. Alban town cars, and the Piccadilly roadster, to name but a few.

Rolls-Royce built 77 examples of the Oxford Touring Car. This example is one of the first 'Springfield Ghosts' produced. It was originally delivered to J.G. McHenry, a prominent Detroit attorney, apparently following use as a trials car at the Thompson Automobile Company. Mr. McHenry eventually sold the car to John S. Riggs, of New York, who, in 1948, passed it into the hands of Barney Pollard. The Rolls was eventually sold from the Pollard Collection into the care of Robert Merrifield, and it was maintained by him until late-2009.

The car retains its original engine chassis frame, and body. The Rolls-Royce still has under 25,000 actual miles. It is believed that the majority of the miles were acquired during the ownership of its first two caretakers. It has recently been repainted and re-chromed.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale in Scottsdale, Arizona by RM Auctions. Bidding reached $220,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton by Brunn
Chassis number: 39AG

The first Rolls-Royce, introduced in 1906, was called the 40/50; the first 40/50 to bear the name Silver Ghost was actually the 12th chassis built. It featured an aluminum body by Barker with German silver-plated exterior fittings and a silver-plated brass badge bearing the name Silver Ghost. The name stuck. Rolls-Royce unabashedly claimed 'The Best Car in the World' as its mantra and 7,874 Silver Ghosts were built until production ceased in 1925.

This Silver Ghost 40/50 was the 28th chassis produced at the new Rolls-Royce Springfield, Massachusetts works between 1920 and 1921. The body, the car's original, is a sleek five-passenger Phaeton was fitted by Buffalo, New York coachbuilder Brunn and Company to the specifications of its first owner, J.C. McKinney also of Buffalo, New York. It was originally delivered as a right-hand drive car.

In 1926 chassis 39AG was returned to the factory for updating, including a switch of the driving position to left-hand drive, new bumpers, wheels, tires grille vanes and faired-in tool boxes among other improvements. The car retains its original engine with 12-volt electrics and four-speed transmission.

39AG has lead an interesting and varied existence. Perhaps the low point was in the early 1950's when such cars were not very desirable. It was offered for sale in the New York Times for a mere $600.

The car has since been completely restored (from 2013 to 2015) to its original condition. This took place in three phases over a ten year period. Since completion, it has garnered numerous national level awards.

Drophead Coupé by Windovers
Chassis number: 32SG
Engine number: P68

This Silver Ghost was delivered new to Wessel & Wett in Copenhagen Denmark fitted with Drophead Coupe/Cabriolet coachwork by Windovers. Windovers was founded in 1856 in Huntingdon but from 1924 they were based in North West London. They diversified into manufacturing of motor bodies in the early 1900s, concentrating on Daimler and Rolls-Royce at first, and later adding other marques such as Alvis, Armstrong-Siddeley, Lagonda, Lanchester, Mercedes-Benz and Bentley.

The car was later owned by Consul Glad, who at the same time also owned an Isotta Fraschini. In the 1930's, the original coachwork was replaced with a new touring body.

In 1958, the car was donated to the Dansk Veteranbil Klub by a Director Leo Jensen. In the mid-1970s, a Danish car enthusiast, Mr. Sachmann, acquired the Rolls-Royce from the club. Mr. Sachmann restored the Silver Ghost to its former glory using original period photographs to construct a new body and fittings matching the original in every detail, completing the task in 1985.

In 2015, the car was brought to the United States.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer by Cunard
Chassis number: 65 UE

The Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Silver Ghost was produced from 1906 until 1926.

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost chassis 65 UE is a 1921 Cunard bodied tourer. 1921 in this instance refers to the date of delivery to its new and very patient owner. The original sale date was in May of 1919. The chassis was completed by the Rolls-Royce works in October 1920, after each component of the running chassis was rigorously tested. These results are noted on 65 UE's chassis cards. The chassis was then brought to the Cunard Motor & Carriage Co. of Putney, London, where the body was completed in April of 1921. Patience was a required virtue when ordering a Silver Ghost.

Like most Silver Ghosts, 65 UE is well traveled having spent its early years in the U.K. It was purchased from vintage Rolls-Royce dealership Simmons of Mayfair in 1965 by Percy Markham of Perth and shipped to Australia, where it remained until it was bought by the current owner and brought to the United States in 2016.

Open Tourer by James & Co.

Of all the cars sold to the royal families of India, the 40/50 HP Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is probably the most famous. This 97-year-old example, called The Wankaner Rolls-Royce, has been with the same family for four generations. Purchased in 1921 by the current custodian's great-grandfather, His Highness the Maharana Amar Singhji of Wankaner, it was used only on very important occasions and at official ceremonies, including the visit of the Viceroy and Governor General of India and other heads of state, as well as several weddings of the Wankaner royal family. Due to such light use, the car has covered just over 3,000 miles overall, which probably makes this unique car one of the lowest mileage original Silver Ghosts in the world.

Tourer by Steuart & Co.
Chassis number: 47AG
Engine number: 144AL

The rulers of India favored the Rolls-Royce automobile, and it is believed that the Maharajah of Gwailor was the earliest owner who in 1908 took delivery of one of the first examples built. His commissioned specific formal coachwork became known as 'The Pearl of the East'.

By the time this particular example was built, Rolls-Royce had agencies in Calcutta, Delhi, and Bombay. This example was commissioned through Calcutta by its agent G. Mein Austin in April of 1921. Since delivery times were often lengthy, many cars had their coachwork ordered at the time of chassis build. This car, however, is listed on its order documentation as 'Body to be built in India'- the maker is not listed. The coachbuilder is believed to have been Steuart & Co. of Calcutta.

It is believed that 47AG remained in India until the 1950s or 1960s. By 1969, the car was in America and in the care of Sam D. Fire, of New York. From Fire, the car passed to William Butler, and in 2005 was offered for sale at Bonham's auction. At that time, the car entered the ownership of its current owner.

This Rolls-Royce retains its original numbered hood, large bulbous Stephan Grebel Headlights, and running board mounted spotlight. In 2006 the car was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

by Dan Vaughan

5-Passenger Open Tourer by Mann Egerton & Co
Chassis number: 109MG

Chassis No. 109MG was delivered new to Prafulla Nath Tagore, Raja of Calcutta, India, in 1921. At that time, there were pockets of wealth in India that allowed the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost to be used by maharajas and big game hunters. It was seen as the ultimate status symbol in colonial India in the 1900s. According to his great-grandson, Prithvi Nath Tagore, Raja Tagore had several luxury marques in his fleet, and this was one of his favorites. It was used often by the family, including for weddings. Silver Ghosts are known for their reliability. As Rolls-Royce accurately claimed, 'The quality will remain when the price is forgotten.' Simply stated in a 1911 catalogue, 'The Rolls-Royce Car is bought by people who will have the best and nothing but the best.' The company unabashedly claimed The Best Car in the World as its mantra.

In 1906 a new model, the 40/50 horsepower, was developed with a longer chassis and a six-cylinder engine. The popularity of the new Rolls-Royce grew quickly as it developed a reputation for smoothness, silence, flexibility and, above all, reliability. In 1907 a writer from the 'Autocar' described riding in the Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp as '....the feeling of being wafted through the countryside.' Engineers at Rolls-Royce coined the word 'waftability' to encapsulate that sensation. Today it is a word that cannot be found in any direction but it is a key design and engineering criterion.

The twelfth 40/50 produced had all its fittings silver-plated and the coachwork painted in aluminum paint. This car became known as the Silver Ghost and is probably the most famous car in the world. The name was later adopted for all the 40/50 hp car and had an immediate international impact, enhanced by the coachbuilders of the day, who could produce bodies of breathtaking beauty. The Silver Ghost was, quite simply, in a class of its own.

The motor car's versatility is legendary. It overwhelmingly won every reliability trial and distance record, dominated the great Alpine Trial of 1913 and won the Spanish Grand Prix of that year.

In May 1907, Claude Johnson drove the car to Scotland and back. This run was a precursor to the Scottish Reliability Trial for which the motor car was later awarded a gold model by the RAC.

The original idea was to drive 10,000 miles without stopping the engine, but the Silver Ghost proved so reliable that the target was raised to 15,000 miles. Despite a stall at 629 miles, when rough roads shook the petrol switch to the off position, the Silver Ghost ran faultlessly for 40 days and nights.

A further challenge was designed by Napier for Rolls-Royce to compete against them in a run from London to Edinburgh followed by high-speed runs at Brooklands. But the challenge was to complete the distance without changing gear, as opposed to how far you could travel. The car, driven by Ernest Hives, averaged 24.3 mpg between London and Edinburgh and attained a speed of 78.2 mph at Brooklands.

As an armored car in the First World War The Silver Ghost delivered exemplary service to the extent that Colonel T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) is quoted as saying, 'A Rolls in the desert is above rubies'.

In more elegant guise the Silver Ghost was the choice of the rich and famous across the globe. Kings, queens, maharajas, tsars and emperors owned them. The demand for the Silver Ghost was so high that manufacture was started in the United States in 1921 and continued in production with worldwide success until 1925.

by Rolls-Rocye Motor Cars Limited

by Rolls-Royce

The Rolls-Royce vehicles have always been the pinnacle of design, technology, and ambiance. The loudest noise that could be heard by occupants of their vehicles was said to be the clock. In 1904 engineer Frederick Henry Royce joined with the entrepreneur and businessman, the Honorable Charles Stewart Rolls. This union became known as the Rolls-Royce Company.

The Silver Ghost became available in 1906 and brought with it quality and technology to a level that had never been seen before on a motor vehicle. Most engines of the time had long and flexible crankshafts that were prone to vibration and noise. The Rolls-Royce engines had large bearings and pressurized oiling systems, secured by seven main bearings. This was then enclosed in a strong aluminum alloy crankcase eliminating much noise and creating a pleasurable driving experience for the occupants of the vehicle. The crankshaft had an accuracy of .00025 on its bearing surface. They were hand polished to remove any surface cracks left by the grinder. Instead of using noisy chains to drive the ignition, Royce used gears. Phosphor bronze and nickel steel were used in the construction of the timing gears which were then ground and polished by hand. The engine was further shortened by casting in triplets. Cooling problems and leaks were eliminated by the removable cylinder blocks and fixed heads. A Royce designed twin jet carburetor gave the engine all the breathing it required.

The Rolls Royce vehicles could accelerate from zero to top speed without shifting. Shifting during the early 1900's was a chore, with the lower gears never being smooth. It was not until top gear was achieved that the automobiles would operate properly. The Rolls-Royce Ghosts would accelerate as though they were being pulled. This feature, coupled with the vehicle's silent operation amplified the vehicle's prestige and was the ultimate driving experience of its day.

When first introduced, the Ghosts were given a four-speed gearbox with a direct drive third and an overdrive fourth. As time passed, the overdrive was dropped. The chassis was mostly conventional. Royce had fine-tuned the chassis to standards much higher than most marque's of the day. The body was held in place by a live rear axle carried in three-quarter elliptical springs. In the front, there was a solid axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Braking was by a foot pedal connected to a transmission brake. A hand brake operated twin rear drums.

Where Royce excelled in engineering, Rolls excelled in promoting and marketing. In 1906 a Ghost was entered in the Tourist Trophy Race, one of the most prestigious races of the time. The Ghost emerged victorious - well, much more than that. It had beaten the next nearest competitor by 27 minutes. Next, Rolls and Royce entered a Ghost in a 15,000-mile reliability run in 1907 which it did without incident. Upon its return to the Rolls-Royce shop, it took a small amount of money, about two-pounds or roughly ten-dollars by today's exchange rates, to restore the vehicle back to new condition.

The Silver Ghosts were entered in the Austrian Alpine Trials where the hoods were sealed shut to prevent any maintenance. The Silver Ghosts again dominated the competition and traversed the Alpine passes which were impassable for many motor cars.

This marketing worked and soon the Rolls-Royce vehicles became legendary and renowned for their durability, reliability, and style. To improve upon the prestige even further, Rolls supplied the Silver Ghosts to British royalty, a move that made sure the vehicles were seen in the right places by the right people.

The first Rolls-Royce distributor in the United States was Walter Martin of New York City, who was also a Cadillac distributor. As Cadillac continued to improve the ambiance of their vehicles, Martin naturally gave them more attention as the logistics of company location was in their favor. Rolls-Royce, on the other hand, was an ocean apart.

Over the early years of Rolls-Royce production, Brewster would become more effective in bringing Rolls-Royce chassis to America than Martin. Brewster imported several dozen chassis to supply its coachwork clients.

In 1913, the business manager for Rolls-Royce, Claude Johnson, formed a factory depot in New York and rented space from Brewster. Baker's US agent, Robert W. Schuette was appointed as Rolls-Royce distributor. At the time, Schuette also represented Fleetwood, Holbrook, Brewster, and Quinby. Around 100 Rolls-Royce's were imported over the next two years by Schuette, with around half of them bodied by Brewster.

As the First World War began to escalate, the production of Rolls-Royce automobiles slowed considerably. The factory's attention was turned to cars for military clients. Engines were produced for aircraft. By 1916, there were no more new Rolls-Royces available. Schuette and Brewster were still able to satisfy US demand for Rolls-Royce's by buying up existing chassis, renovating, and then fitting them with new coachwork.

by Dan Vaughan