Details
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PICCADILLY ROADSTER
COACHWORK BY ROLLS-ROYCE CUSTOM COACH WORKS
Chassis No. S 295 PL
Engine No. 22855
Maroon with tan interior
Engine: six-cylinder, 453.3ci; Gearbox: three-speed; Suspension: front, semi-elliptical leaf springs, rear, cantilever; Brakes: rear drums. Left hand drive.
Following World War I, Claude Johnson, managing director of Rolls-Royce, decided to set up a factory in America, as he felt that the demand for large luxury cars was greater there than in Europe, and import duties were very high. This was announced in 1920 by a statement that a limited number of chassis would be produced by this factory, using the same quality of materials as England, with Henry Royce as Chief Engineer.
As noted in the Dalton and Watson book Rolls-Royce in America the Springfield cars were particularly prone to "body swaps" in an effort to help sell cars. Low mileage closed sedans were often switched with a roadster or sporty style body on a tired chassis. This practise was continued by collectors as the cars became more valuable. Chassis S 295 PL is fitted with a third body - a Piccadilly No.M1668. It was donated to the museum in 1979 by the late Bob Atwell, well known collector. It has an older restoration by Reuter's Coachworks, that has held up well. The brightwork is plated in both chrome and nickel and part of the casting on the bumper mount has broken and needs replacing.
COACHWORK BY ROLLS-ROYCE CUSTOM COACH WORKS
Chassis No. S 295 PL
Engine No. 22855
Maroon with tan interior
Engine: six-cylinder, 453.3ci; Gearbox: three-speed; Suspension: front, semi-elliptical leaf springs, rear, cantilever; Brakes: rear drums. Left hand drive.
Following World War I, Claude Johnson, managing director of Rolls-Royce, decided to set up a factory in America, as he felt that the demand for large luxury cars was greater there than in Europe, and import duties were very high. This was announced in 1920 by a statement that a limited number of chassis would be produced by this factory, using the same quality of materials as England, with Henry Royce as Chief Engineer.
As noted in the Dalton and Watson book Rolls-Royce in America the Springfield cars were particularly prone to "body swaps" in an effort to help sell cars. Low mileage closed sedans were often switched with a roadster or sporty style body on a tired chassis. This practise was continued by collectors as the cars became more valuable. Chassis S 295 PL is fitted with a third body - a Piccadilly No.M1668. It was donated to the museum in 1979 by the late Bob Atwell, well known collector. It has an older restoration by Reuter's Coachworks, that has held up well. The brightwork is plated in both chrome and nickel and part of the casting on the bumper mount has broken and needs replacing.