Beschreibung:

1914 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50 h.p. SILVER GHOST OPEN DRIVE LANDAULETTE COACHWORK BY BARKER Registration No. P6 Chassis No. 60 RB Engine No. 93T Grey with black coachlines and original beige bedford cord interior. Engine: six cylinder, 7,428cc, side valves, 48 bhp at 1000 rpm, Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: two wheel rear drum, handbrake on transmission; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic leaf springs, rear, cantilever. Right hand drive. The Rolls-Royce has been widely accepted as the ultimate symbol of quality for almost nine decades. The six cylinder 40/50 h.p. "Silver Ghost", introduced in 1906 at the London Motor Show at Olympia swiftly established itself as the ultimate in luxury motoring and was soon credited with the title of "The Best Car in the World". This remarkable model remained in production for almost twenty years, with only minor modifications, and was solely responsible for establishing the firm's reputation for engineering excellence. The Silver Ghost had become regarded as the finest car of its era; not only did Rolls-Royce achieve a quality of engineering far higher than had ever before been attained, but the chassis was also perfectly suited for a very diverse range of coachwork, from the most beautifully formed landaulette, as on offer today, to lightweight long distance rally cars. The craftmen's skills on the formal coachwork in the period were truly artistic and Barker in particular produced bodies which were the epitome of Edwardian elegance and style. The extreme height of the enclosed portions of the coachwork were dictated by Edwardian fashion - top hats for men and elaborate costume millinery for women. These formal Silver Ghosts inspired not only the pride of the owner, but also the pride of everyone who worked for him. This particular car has been in the current ownership for thirty years and must be one of the most original early Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts in existence. It is fitted with its original coachwork, a beautifully proportioned open drive landaulette with twin spare wheels, by one of the finest coachbuilders of the period, Barker. Incredibly, the paintwork is the original, being in generally good condition for its age, and the interior upholstery is a delight to behold; the well- appointed rear passenger compartment is all original with its occasional seats, original headlining and original electric courtesy lamps and the drivers compartment still retains its original black leather upholstery and original rubber mats. The coachwork appears to be in excellent condition and is good and strong. All the wings are, of course, original and are in good condition and in fact the car has the appearance of one which has been kept in dry conditions for the whole of its life. The original leather top has been kept supple and the rear landaulette section (and the hood over the driver's compartment) opens and closes easily. Instrumentation features the original "double Elliott" speedometer and rev. counter, original Lucas switchbox, and separate clock and fuel gauges The headlamps are original nickel King of the Road, as are the scuttle mounted sidelamps. The folding windscreen is also nickel plated and original, and unusually the car is fitted with wire wheels (and beaded edge tyres) which greatly enhance the appearance of the wonderful coachwork. The engine is the original, which is described as running well, and all the original undertrays and leather spring and steering joint gaiters are still fitted. The gearbox is the original four speed unit and the car has been well greased and maintained throughout the current ownership; indeed a long distance tour around the Alpine passes of Europe was undertaken by the current owners in 1968, when the car performed faultlessly. The Lot comes complete with all the log books dating back to 1921 and it is hoped to have a new M.O.T. by the time of the sale. It has previously resided in the famous Rolls-Royce collection of the late Stanley Sears and has ret