1920/21 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Doctor's Convertible Coupé

Registration no. XK 1702 Chassis no. 26TE

Footnotes

Although the 40/50hp model would have earned its 'The Best Car in the World' sobriquet in any event, Rolls-Royce's decision to drop all other types only served to focus attention on what would become known as the 'Silver Ghost'. Prior to 1908, when it relocated to a new factory in Derby, the company founded by engineer Henry Royce and entrepreneur the Honourable Charles Rolls had manufactured a variety of models at its Manchester premises. Cars with two, three, four and six cylinders were made, and even an abortive V8, before Managing Director Claude Johnson's decision to concentrate on the range-topping 40/50hp. The latter had first appeared at the 1906 Motor Show and became known as the 'Silver Ghost' the following year when chassis number '60551' was exhibited wearing silver-painted tourer coachwork by Barker.

The heart of the Silver Ghost was its magnificent engine, a 7,036cc (later 7,428cc) sidevalve six equipped with seven-bearing crankshaft and pressure lubrication. A sturdy chassis comprised of channel-section side members and tubular cross members was suspended on semi-elliptic springs at the front and a 'platform' leaf-spring arrangement at the rear, though the latter soon came in for revision. The transmission too was soon changed, a three-speed gearbox with direct-drive top gear replacing the original four-speed/overdrive top unit in 1909. In the course of its 20-year production life there would be countless other improvements to the car, one of the most important being the adoption of servo-assisted four-wheel brakes towards the end of 1923.

After a successful 2,000-mile trial under RAC supervision, the factory demonstrator - chassis '60551', 'The Silver Ghost' - was entered in the Scottish Reliability Trial, completing the 15,000-mile run with flying colours to set a new World Record. From then on the car's reputation was assured, not the least in North America where the wide-open spaces placed a premium on reliability and comfort.

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost chassis number '26TE' was completed in December 1920 and sent to Thrupp & Maberley for bodying as a limousine that same month; it was finished and first registered in 1921. The first owner was a Mr C H Whittington, who took delivery in August 1921. The Ghost is known to have been sold by Dunbar & Sons in Edinburgh in 1927.

Sold by Scott Moncrief in 1967, the car was shipped to Florida in the 1980s and returned to the UK immediately prior to being sold at auction in 1992 where it was bought by the current owner. Believed fitted in the USA, the doctor's coupé body was converted to convertible configuration by Frenchay Garage, Bristol when the car entered UK circa 1992. Other noteworthy features include dickey seat accommodation, a folding luggage rack, rear-wheel brakes, a self-starter, and André Hartford shock absorbers.

Since acquisition various works have been carried out by A J Glew and Coldwell Engineering to include rewiring the electrics; a partial engine overhaul; brakes relined; dynamo overhauled; and a new clutch bearing housing and clutch bearing fitted.

While in the current ownership the Ghost has completed the Rally of New Zealand and the Rolls-Royce Alpine event in 2013, driven from the UK and back. 'XK 1702' has also taken part in '20 Ghost Club' events during the current ownership. The car comes complete with a Dunlop wheel spanner, a copper mallet, a period oil gun and jack, and its original 'Spirit of Ecstasy' mascot.