By order of the Executors: The Richard Evans | Manx Motor Museum Collection
1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost 'Top Hat Brougham de Ville'

• Originally bodied as a landaulet
• Known ownership history
• Featured in the films Beat the Devil (1953) and A Weekend with Lulu (1961)
• Featured in the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) and Thomas & Sarah (1979)
• Uprated brakes (original system offered with car)
• Present ownership since 1972
• Well stored and infrequently used

This particular Silver Ghost – and early and coveted 'numbers only' – chassis number '2632', was delivered new on 6th January 1914 to Midland Counties Motor Garage, Leicester for their customer Mrs Pitt-Rivers (Lord Bath's daughter) and was originally registered as 'LK 7105'. The majority of Rolls-Royce's pre-WW2 records were destroyed during the war but their letter on file (dated 15th June 1962 and addressed to former owner Mr Royston Edward Dennis) states that "'A' type steering was fitted, suitable for a proposed seven passenger Landaulet body". There is no mention of the coachbuilder.

In April 1929, '2632' was back at the factory for a comprehensive engine rebuild, including two new cylinders and pistons. At some time in the 1920s/1930s the Ghost was upgraded with the gearbox-driven dynamo and side windows to the front compartment. In August 1947 Rolls-Royce were advised that the Ghost was owned by Mr W A R Hoare of Kennford, Devon, whose last communication with the factory (requesting spares) was in February 1950.

In the late 1930s the Rolls-Royce had been gifted to Mrs Pitt-Rivers' chauffeur, John Redding, who removed the body and fitted a recovery crane in its place. After WW2 the car was sold to a dealer in Taunton and in 1947 it was acquired by the Mr Hoare who removed the crane. In 1950 the Rolls-Royce was sold to Barton Motors of Newton Ferrers, and in July 1958 was acquired by Oundle School. The car was registered at the school's address to Mr William Alexander Shaw, and while at Oundle was restored, it being said that a 'town car' body was fitted in the process (however, see below). The next recorded private owner (from September 1962) is Mr Dennis (of Dennis Brothers commercial vehicles), who purchased the car from Simmons of Mayfair. Simmons' advertisement states: "Built mid-1913. Electrics but one series too early for electric starting. Chassis completely stripped and rebuilt under the direction of Rolls-Royce Ltd. In quite unique order not having been run since its rebuild." The Ghost is shown carrying a tall town car ('top hat' brougham de ville) body broadly similar, but not identical to, that which it has today; the asking price was £1,875.

Prior to Mr Dennis's ownership, the Silver Ghost had featured in the film comedy A Weekend With Lulu (1961) starring Bob Monkhouse, Leslie Phillips, Shirley Eaton, Irene Handl and Alfred Marks. Marks played the lecherous Comte de Grenoble, owner of the Silver Ghost. One source (see file) states that the tall formal coachwork for the Comte's Rolls-Royce was created by the production company, Hammer Film Productions.

However, eight years previously the Ghost had featured in the film Beat the Devil (1953) starring Humphrey Bogart and Gina Lollobrigida, already carrying upright formal coachwork, which was said to have been commissioned by 'a famous Spanish bullfighter who wanted to be able to stand up in it and take bows'. Thus it would seem that the current style of coachwork (if not this actual body) dates from early in the period the car was owned by Barton Motors (1950-1958). We are advised that the car also featured in the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) and Thomas & Sarah (1979).

While owned by the Dennis family the Silver Ghost was driven by John Dennis in the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of Eccles Caravans in 1969 (see press cutting on file). It should be noted that the body depicted is clearly the same as that seen in 1953 in Beat the Devil, albeit with a changed colour scheme; however, the present coachwork features a different front cabin (roof, scuttle, windscreen, windscreen surround/supports and doors) as well as different mudguards and running boards.

Sold in 1972, the car was registered as 'MN 1910' in the Isle of Man on 9th May '72 and has been in the Manx Motor Museum since then. Importantly, the brakes have been upgraded with larger (1914) brakes on the rear axle while retaining as much 1913 componentry as was practical (detached components with car). A vacuum servo has been fitted and the rear drums are now operated by the footbrake, while the handbrake now operates the drum on the propeller shaft. Particularly worthy of note is the sumptuous rear compartment, which is trimmed in the most flamboyantly patterned cloth upholstery depicting hunting scenes in baroque style. While with the MMM the Ghost has been well stored, seeing very little use, and was last run up to temperature in 2022.

A box trailer is included in the sale and the car is offered with an extensive history file containing various documents including an old-style continuation logbook issued in July 1958. The latter records the year of original registration as 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, such as this one, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing.) Offered for sale by order of the executors of the late Richard Evans/Manx Motor Museum, the car also comes with starting and operating instructions (essential reading before use).