Vehicle Description
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A Legend Born in America: The Story of S335RL When Rolls-Royce
established its American subsidiary in Springfield, Massachusetts
in 1919, it marked the start of a bold new venture. By 1921, the
first American-built Silver Ghost was complete, carrying forward
the marque's impeccable standards while tailoring details to suit
American tastes. Subtle but significant changes appeared: left-hand
drive layouts, American Bosch or Westinghouse electrical systems,
fuel pumps replacing the British Autovac, and refinements like drum
headlamps and tubular bumpers. Over the next decade, most
Springfield-built Silver Ghosts received bodies from either
Brewster or Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork. Among these, the
Piccadilly roadster emerged as one of the most coveted designs - a
sleek two-seater convertible with side curtains, a rumble seat, and
unmistakable open-air charisma. Of the Silver Ghosts built in
America, just 79 were dressed in this elegant style. Chassis
S335RL: An Extraordinary Life Completed in June 1926, chassis
S335RL began life as a company demonstrator and trials car.
Rolls-Royce routinely used certain cars to test new parts and
improvements; when these experiments proved successful, the updates
often made their way into production models. After two years in
this role, the car was comprehensively refreshed at the factory and
sold on December 28, 1928, to its first private owner, A.J. Davis
of St. Louis, Missouri. Its sale price was a remarkable $13,450 -
at a time when the average American earned less than half that in a
year. S335RL passed through the hands of several notable custodians
over the decades. Edward M. Bergen acquired it in 1937, followed by
John B. Davis of Missouri and then Carroll Vail, a prominent St.
Louis collector and then-president of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club.
Vail later sold the car to Conrad Karras, who famously drove it on
the 1973 Alpine Tour - a challenging European rally known for steep
mountain passes and breathtaking scenery. The car later joined the
esteemed collection of William B. Ruger, the founder of Ruger
Firearms and an avid Rolls-Royce enthusiast. Ruger kept the car
until his estate sale in 2002, after which it underwent a
significant mechanical restoration. Work included installing two
new cylinder blocks, rebuilding the gearbox, brakes, front axle,
and kingpins - overseen by the respected Frank Cooke's Vintage
Garage. Revived for the Road The next owner, then president of the
Silver Ghost Association, added a Gear Vendors overdrive for modern
touring capability and a stainless-steel exhaust system. In 2003,
he and his wife entered the car in a reenactment of the historic
Alpine Trials - a grueling, three-week European trek that included
the formidable Stelvio Pass between Austria and Italy. The car
completed the journey flawlessly. In 2022, S335RL found a new
caretaker, who entrusted Rolls-Royce specialist Steve Littin of
Vintage and Auto Rebuilds (Chardon, OH) as well as RM Auto
Restoration (Blenheim, ON), to perform a comprehensive service. Six
brand new wire wheels were fitted, shod with Excelsior radial
tires. Discreet LED headlamp and sidelight conversions were made
within the original housings for improved night driving. The
period-correct tail lamps were retained and made fully functional,
with the addition of subtle turn signals for added safety. Several
other mechanical repairs were completed including rebuilt wheel
bearings and seals, wiper motors, clock, cooling fan, steering gear
and column. Newly fitted, water pump, fuel pump and lines,
alternator/generator, battery, clutch, exhaust, brake booster and
more. Further updates included a new convertible top and side
curtains, a fresh period-style trunk, and reupholstered black
leather front seats, rubber flooring with leather binding. The
entire body was refinished in a striking black ov
