Vehicle Description
This 1924 Springfield Silver Ghost, chassis number 404MF is ahighly
original example with numbers matching chassis & engine. Complete
with a side shift four-speed transmission with overdrive.
Mechanically, this vehicle runs with the grace and smoothness that
a Silver Ghost should. This car is ready for continued
participation in any number of Rolls Royce Owners Club, Silver
Ghost Association or Classic Car Club of America tours. Read more
about this1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Touring classic
car. When it comes to world-class automobiles, there is no doubt
that Rolls Royces famous Silver Ghost is at the top of the list.
Introduced in 1906 and built with refinements until 1926, the
Silver Ghost was known for its silent operation, rugged
construction, durability, and ease of operation. It was sold to the
most discriminating vehicle buyers worldwide and earned the Rolls
Royce Company its slogan of The Worlds Best Automobile. At the end
of World War I, Silver Ghosts were gaining immense popularity in
the United States. Demand for Rolls Royce automobiles in America
became so great that the company formed an American subsidiary
called Rolls Royce of America and opened an assembly plant in
Springfield, Massachusetts. The cars assembled at the Springfield
facility used chassis components that were imported from England
but typically had bodies that were built by American coachbuilders,
such as Brewster and Merrimac. Bodies built by these companies were
produced in limited numbers and cataloged by Rolls Royce under the
name Rolls Royce Custom Coachworks. During this period, the
majority of the automobiles built were supplied with enclosed,
formal bodies such as limousines and seven-passenger sedans.
Sporting, open body styles were rarely produced. This 1924
Springfield Silver Ghost, chassis number 404MF, was ordered with a
sporty, five passengers touring car body labeled by Rolls Royce as
the Pall Mall Tourer and built by Merrimac. It is one of only 179
Pall Mall touring cars fitted to the Silver Ghost chassis. The Pall
Mall body style featured a low beltline and a narrow body profile.
It was a very sporty car that epitomized the look and feel of the
Roaring 20s in America. This is a well-known Springfield Silver
Ghost that has a rich history of past and current owners. It is
listed in John de Campis definitive book Rolls Royce in America and
has a known ownership chain from new. The car has always been well
cared for and retains its original body, chassis and engine
assemblies. The first owner, Edward M. Winslow, took delivery of
404MF on Christmas Eve of 1924. Like most Rolls Royce buyers, he
came from conservative, American money and was a descendant and
namesake of a Mayflower passenger. The Pall Mall was owned by the
Winslow family until 1956 when it was purchased by George M.
Anderson, also of Massachusetts. Anderson sold the car in 1962 to
the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida and six years later, the car
was again sold and returned to New England where it was owned by S.
Prestley Blake of Somers, Connecticut. Blake was a well-known
collector of Rolls Royces-especially Silver Ghosts built in
Springfield. He was an active member of the Rolls Royce Owners Club
(RROC) and the Silver Ghosts Association (SGA). Being the
co-founder of Friendlys Ice Cream helped Blake to achieve a
significant and well-respected collection of Rolls Royces, which he
drove frequently on long distance tours. He enjoyed 404MF for over
30 years and drove it several thousands of miles during his
ownership. Blake sold the car in 1998 and it was later owned by
another well-known Connecticut Rolls Royce collector, John
Abrahamson. When Abrahamson purchased 404MF, it was found to be an
extremely original and well-preserved car but in need of cosmetic
restoration. Abrahamson restored the car in about 2003 and since
then, this car has been properly cared for and regularly used. The
dark blue body and black fenders still show extremely well. The
body is rock solid and the doors open and close with hardly any
effort. The paint shows the expected signs of wear that one would
expect from an older restoration but still retains a great overall
appearance. On the inside, the leather interior is aged beautifully
and has mellowed with a pleasing glow that only proper leather can
achieve. The dashboard has all of its Rolls Royce script gauges and
controls. The rear seat is fitted with a folding, secondary
windshield to protect its passengers. For all-weather touring,
there is a set of matching side curtains along with a protective
trunk cover. The nickel-plated and German silver trim items are
correct and in excellent condition. The car retains its original
headlamps, side lamps, taillight, etc. The rear of the car features
a period, custom-built trunk and an accessory second taillight.
The1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Touring Mechanic Status
Mechanically, this vehicle runs with the grace and smoothness that
a Silver Ghost should. 404MF is one of the last right-hand drive,
Springfield cars built, and also one of the last cars built with
the desirable, four-speed gearbox. The original engine, #22043,
starts easily and runs extremely smooth. The car has been fitted
with a modern, Gear Vendors overdrive transmission that allows the
vehicle to be driven at modern speeds while reducing wear and
stress to the engine. The engine retains its original carburetor
and dual ignition system. The transmission and clutch are extremely
smooth and the car shifts with the ease that Silver Ghosts are
known for. The steering is light and responsive and the brakes stop
the car firmly. This car is ready for continued participation in
any number of Rolls Royce Owners Club, Silver Ghost Association or
Classic Car Club of America tours. Springfield-built Silver Ghosts
have always been highly regarded by the most knowledgeable
collectors. They were prestigious cars when they were built and
today are considered benchmark automobiles that can be driven and
enjoyed on numerous rallies and tours worldwide. An inspection and
test drive this Pall Mall Tourer is highly recommended and we
believe you will understand why the Silver Ghost gave Rolls Royce
the reputation of The Worlds Best Automobile.
