The Rolls-Royce SIlver Ghost is one of the greatest cars of all time. Smooth, fast, quiet, and beautiful, it's the car that Rolls-Royce built its reputation on and the one that set the bar that they would have to live up to until this very day. Beginning production in 1907, the 40/50 HP (later named "The Silver Ghost") was created by Charles Stewart Rolls, aviator, race driver, and business man, and Fredrick Henry Royce, engineer and innovator. Powered by a 7,036cc, six-cylinder engine from 1907-1909, later enlarged to 7,428cc, the 40/50hp car passed every test to which it was subjected, whether in service as a formal town car, sprint racing on Saltburn Sands, or competing in the Scottish Trials.
Royce's unwavering engineering standards demanded only excellence of his staff in Manchester and later Derby and no chassis was delivered until it had been well tested. Rolls-Royce, unlike other contemporary manufacturers, refused to build their own coachwork, taking the view that their specialty was engineering excellence and leaving the coachwork to the exclusive group of coachbuilders. Everything about the Silver Ghost is deserving of the title "The greatest car in the world."
This Silver Ghost, chassis number 42CE, a Barker Landaulette is one of the most original surviving Silver Ghosts in the world and has a fantastic provenance to boot. Sent directly to Barker of London, it would have this fantastic Landaulette body fitted which it still retains today. From Barker it would be delivered to its first owner, a Mr. Gardiner of Croydon, England on January 7, 1921. The coachwork is exquisite with German silver and nickel plating throughout, a stunning hand crafted wood headliner in the drivers compartment, and tufted leather upholstery, both front and rear. It was also fitted with Dunlop demountable wire wheels which it still retains today. Fast forwarding to the 1960's, 42CE, still in very well preserved original condition, would be purchased and imported to the United States by the well known collector Mr. Harry Resnick for his Museum in Ellenville, New York. 42CE would sit along side many other fantastic Rolls Royces including the earliest Rolls Royce in America; a 1905 4-Cylinder Roadster, the ex-James Melton 1907 Silver Ghost #60553, a 1913 Saoutchik Tourer #2442 and many others. Mr. Resnick held onto 42CE for a few years, finally selling it to a Mr. Elmer Thrall of Manchester, Connecticut in 1971 where it would remain until our acquisition of the car.
Today, 42CE presents itself in a wonderfully well preserved original condition and retaining everything it was originally delivered with in 1921. This is one of the nicest original Ghosts we have seen in a long time. Still retaining its perfect original upholstery, original convertible rear top, and all of its original nickel plating presenting a perfect preserved patina that you want to see on a Ghost. Mechanically the engine was professionally serviced recently having over $50,000 dollars spent making sure this Ghost is in tip top mechanical condition. The 4 speed transmission shifts perfectly as well. The Landaulette coachwork is perfect for driving in all seasons transforming a closed car into a fully open car for beautiful spring and summer driving. This is a perfect candidate for preservation at any concours or for driving on Ghost tours. 42CE is a really fantastic Ghost, as said previously, one of the best original in extant today and one of the best we have personally seen in a long time. Complete with factory build sheet and records. Contact us for more information.
