Details
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PICCADILLY ROADSTER
COACHWORK (believed) MERRIMAC
Chassis No. S 385 RL
Engine No. 22855
Green with black interior
Engine: six cylinder, 453.3ci; Gearbox: three-speed; Suspension: front, semi elliptical leaf springs, rear, cantilever rear drums. Left hand drive.
After the First World War, Claude Johnson, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce, was concerned about the possibly adverse impact of Socialist legislation on the sale of luxury cars in Britain, and the import duties in the U.S.A. were crippingly heavy, so the decision was made to open a factory there, and an existing factory was acquired in 1919; in 1920 it was announced that a limited number of chassis would be produced, using the same quality of materials as in England, with coachwork by selected local firms.
This car has a Piccadilly Roadster style body, believed to have been built by Merrimac, who sub-contracted to Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork Ltd. It has a rumble seat with side entry. Liston Zander who owned S 385 RL had a ten year search to find the period body, and this is fully detailed in the correspondence file. The previous body, fitted when he bought the car, came from a Phantom I chassis, and was marginally too long. Having finally located this one, he had it fitted. What is unusual about this coachwork is that the whole top part of the rear section unfolds to make for a very spacious optional rear seat. There are peg holes to receive a rear extension to the top/hood. The windshield was at some point lowered slightly which greatly enhances the looks of this car. It was donated to the museum in 1979 and used in local events.
COACHWORK (believed) MERRIMAC
Chassis No. S 385 RL
Engine No. 22855
Green with black interior
Engine: six cylinder, 453.3ci; Gearbox: three-speed; Suspension: front, semi elliptical leaf springs, rear, cantilever rear drums. Left hand drive.
After the First World War, Claude Johnson, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce, was concerned about the possibly adverse impact of Socialist legislation on the sale of luxury cars in Britain, and the import duties in the U.S.A. were crippingly heavy, so the decision was made to open a factory there, and an existing factory was acquired in 1919; in 1920 it was announced that a limited number of chassis would be produced, using the same quality of materials as in England, with coachwork by selected local firms.
This car has a Piccadilly Roadster style body, believed to have been built by Merrimac, who sub-contracted to Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork Ltd. It has a rumble seat with side entry. Liston Zander who owned S 385 RL had a ten year search to find the period body, and this is fully detailed in the correspondence file. The previous body, fitted when he bought the car, came from a Phantom I chassis, and was marginally too long. Having finally located this one, he had it fitted. What is unusual about this coachwork is that the whole top part of the rear section unfolds to make for a very spacious optional rear seat. There are peg holes to receive a rear extension to the top/hood. The windshield was at some point lowered slightly which greatly enhances the looks of this car. It was donated to the museum in 1979 and used in local events.