Beschreibung:

1920 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST 40/50HP TOURER COACHWORK BY J.ROTHSCHILD & FILS Chassis No. 69 CW Engine No. J200 French blue with black leather interior. Engine: six cylinder, side valves, 7,428cc, 70-75bhp at 1,250rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: rear wheel drum; Suspension: front semi elliptic, rear, cantilever leaf springs. Right hand drive. It was in 1906, the very year Rolls-Royce was established, that Henry Royce designed his greatest achievement, the six-cylinder, 40/50hp would establish the firm's reputation for engineering excellence. It was introduced to the world at the 1906 London Motor Show at Olympia and swiftly established itself as the ultimate in luxury motoring, soon being credited with the title The Best Car in the World . The automotive world was impressed with the car's mechanical integrity, the degree of which had never been seen before. Royce compounded the triumph with superb electrics, an unusually fine carburetor, and roller cam followers on little arms which have delighted Rolls-Royce enthusiasts ever since. Early tests and trials established the car's total reliability, silence and flexibility. The success of the new car, called the Silver Ghost because of the dramatic paint and plating of the thirteenth chassis (still in the possession of the company), caused Rolls-Royce to standardize one model in March 1908. The Silver Ghost had quickly become regarded as the ultimate car of its era; not only did Rolls-Royce achieve a quality of engineering far higher than had previously been attained, but the chassis was also perfectly suited for a very diverse range of coachwork. Consequently, the coachbuilders had many more opportunities to express themselves and designed everything from specialized golfers' coupes to the sporting style open touring cars like the one offered here. This very sporting Silver Ghost carries very rare coachwork of the French firm Rothchild & Fils for a Rolls-Royce of the period. The chassis was delivered in November and was received on May 7, 1920. There is a little confusion as to whom the first owner was as the Rolls-Royce build sheet is not entirely clear. There is an unsubstantiated story (and letter dated January 1969) which indicates that the first owner was Edward, The Prince of Wales. The build sheet indicates that in September 1920 the car was finally inspected by Wallis in Paris. Other information on the records indicate that the first owner was Mr. Miguel de Riglos. No other information is recorded other than the next owner being Senor Luis Duhau of Buenos Aires in February 1928. It is thought the car next passed to another wealthy Argentine, Mr. Jose Nazar Anchorena, from whom the current owner purchased the vehicle in January 1969. The current owner, who is a prominent engineer and former President of Kaiser Engineers, Inc. fully rebuilt the vehicle in Argentina. He patiently took the car apart, repairing and replacing items where necessary. New leather upholstery was fitted to the exact pattern of the original, a new top and sidescreens were made and the vehicle was repainted. The intention was to make a good touring car with emphasis on the mechanical side. Later the car was brought to the U.S.A. Since a complete mechanical restoration by the owner some years ago the Silver Ghost has been driven very little. Today the bodywork is very sound but would benefit from some new cosmetics. The car has fine nickel brightwork. While the vehicle has not been driven much the owner takes great care to run the engine at least once a week while he is resident in the Bay area. This is the only known Rothschild tourer listed in the U.S.A. register and certainly an exceptionally rare, handsome original bodied Silver Ghost which is highly reminiscent of the earlier Alpine Eagle model.