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Details
EX-JOSEPH LEVIN & RICK CARROLL COLLECTIONS
1909 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST ROI-DES-BELGES TOURER
COACHWORK BARKER STYLE ROI-DES-BELGES
Chassis No. 1203
Grey with blue leather upholstery
Engine: six-cylinder, 7,036cc, side valves; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic leaf springs, rear, three quarter elliptic; Brakes: two wheel drum. Right hand drive.
In 1906, the very year that Rolls-Royce was established, Henry Royce designed his greatest achievement. The six cylinder, 40/50 hp Rolls-Royce would establish the firm's reputation for engineering excellence. It was introduced to the world at the 1906 London Motor Show at Olympia and swiftly established itself as the ultimate in luxury motoring, soon to be credited with the title 'The Best Car in the World'. The automotive world was both stunned and gratified by the car's mechanical integrity, the degree of which had never been seen before.
C.S. Rolls and Henry Royce were soon joined by Claude Johnson, a founder of the Royal Automobile Club and organizer of the 1900 1,000 Miles Trial. He had previously worked for C.S. Rolls and was both a sound businessman and brilliant promotor. It was he who saw that one of the greatest attractions of the Rolls-Royce was its exclusivity and that only a fortunate few were able to own such a motor car. Claude Johnson was determined to establish the Rolls-Royce name for reliability, as well as quality and elegance. The thirteenth 40/50hp produced, registered AX 201 and having chassis number 60551, was fitted with handsome touring coachwork by Barker. It was with this particular car that Johnson set out to publicize the marque to the world. The car became known as the 'Silver Ghost'; silver because the metal parts were either silver plated or finished in silver (aluminum) paint and Ghost by reason of its extraordinary silence.
This handsome touring Rolls-Royce, chassis no. 1203, is currently fitted with coachwork closely adhering to the 'Roi-des-Belges' style which became a popular design following that which the Belgian Royal family originally ordered. It is appointed with correct accessories including beautiful Bleriot headlamps, Lucas side and tail lamps, Rolls-Royce gauges, Elliot speedometer, Smith and Sons Clock and a magnificent Boa Constrictor horn - covered in real snakeskin. Another period accessory is the Royal Automobile Club Member's badge. All brightwork is in nickel, as the car was originally supplied.
A running-board mounted spare wheel and Shell petrol can, running-board storage drawers and a full hood in tan canvas complete the presentation of the Silver Ghost. Wire wheels, as were offered by the company from 1909, are fitted and shod with Dunlop cord tires.
Supplied new to Thornton & Schieber Ltd, with Landaulette coachwork by Hooper, 1203 spent much of its life in the UK. Just following the war, 1203 was purchased by a prominent UK collector, S. J. 'Jimmy' Skinner, and at the time it was bodied as a tourer. Skinner subsequently sold the Silver Ghost to the Neale Brothers. Chassis 1203 was eventually sold to well known Rolls-Royce collector, Dr. J. M. Levin of Ohio in 1973. 1203 passed through a number of other renowned United States collections, most notably that of the late Rick Carroll whose 'RKC' insignia is still found on the car. In 1993 it was purchased by William Lassiter.
In an attractive well-patinated condition, the car has considerable charm and would enable the successful puchaser to campaign on the many events held by the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club. The Roi-des-Belges style coachwork is regarded by most enthusiasts as the most attractive and useable Edwardian style Silver Ghost, and as a 1909 chassis, is also one of the earliest chassis extant.
1909 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST ROI-DES-BELGES TOURER
COACHWORK BARKER STYLE ROI-DES-BELGES
Chassis No. 1203
Grey with blue leather upholstery
Engine: six-cylinder, 7,036cc, side valves; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic leaf springs, rear, three quarter elliptic; Brakes: two wheel drum. Right hand drive.
In 1906, the very year that Rolls-Royce was established, Henry Royce designed his greatest achievement. The six cylinder, 40/50 hp Rolls-Royce would establish the firm's reputation for engineering excellence. It was introduced to the world at the 1906 London Motor Show at Olympia and swiftly established itself as the ultimate in luxury motoring, soon to be credited with the title 'The Best Car in the World'. The automotive world was both stunned and gratified by the car's mechanical integrity, the degree of which had never been seen before.
C.S. Rolls and Henry Royce were soon joined by Claude Johnson, a founder of the Royal Automobile Club and organizer of the 1900 1,000 Miles Trial. He had previously worked for C.S. Rolls and was both a sound businessman and brilliant promotor. It was he who saw that one of the greatest attractions of the Rolls-Royce was its exclusivity and that only a fortunate few were able to own such a motor car. Claude Johnson was determined to establish the Rolls-Royce name for reliability, as well as quality and elegance. The thirteenth 40/50hp produced, registered AX 201 and having chassis number 60551, was fitted with handsome touring coachwork by Barker. It was with this particular car that Johnson set out to publicize the marque to the world. The car became known as the 'Silver Ghost'; silver because the metal parts were either silver plated or finished in silver (aluminum) paint and Ghost by reason of its extraordinary silence.
This handsome touring Rolls-Royce, chassis no. 1203, is currently fitted with coachwork closely adhering to the 'Roi-des-Belges' style which became a popular design following that which the Belgian Royal family originally ordered. It is appointed with correct accessories including beautiful Bleriot headlamps, Lucas side and tail lamps, Rolls-Royce gauges, Elliot speedometer, Smith and Sons Clock and a magnificent Boa Constrictor horn - covered in real snakeskin. Another period accessory is the Royal Automobile Club Member's badge. All brightwork is in nickel, as the car was originally supplied.
A running-board mounted spare wheel and Shell petrol can, running-board storage drawers and a full hood in tan canvas complete the presentation of the Silver Ghost. Wire wheels, as were offered by the company from 1909, are fitted and shod with Dunlop cord tires.
Supplied new to Thornton & Schieber Ltd, with Landaulette coachwork by Hooper, 1203 spent much of its life in the UK. Just following the war, 1203 was purchased by a prominent UK collector, S. J. 'Jimmy' Skinner, and at the time it was bodied as a tourer. Skinner subsequently sold the Silver Ghost to the Neale Brothers. Chassis 1203 was eventually sold to well known Rolls-Royce collector, Dr. J. M. Levin of Ohio in 1973. 1203 passed through a number of other renowned United States collections, most notably that of the late Rick Carroll whose 'RKC' insignia is still found on the car. In 1993 it was purchased by William Lassiter.
In an attractive well-patinated condition, the car has considerable charm and would enable the successful puchaser to campaign on the many events held by the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club. The Roi-des-Belges style coachwork is regarded by most enthusiasts as the most attractive and useable Edwardian style Silver Ghost, and as a 1909 chassis, is also one of the earliest chassis extant.