1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

• A supremely sporting and attractive Silver Ghost carrying Holmes of Derby Tourer coachwork.
• A matching numbers car with fantastic history.
• The ultimate specification for a pre-war Ghost, having a four-speed gearbox,  the larger type rear brakes, and 22” radiator.
• A highly capable touring car, ideal for 20-Ghost Club events.

This stunning Silver Ghost offers the ultimate in sporting Edwardian motoring. During this period, Silver Ghosts like this dominated in trials events such as the mighty Alpine Trial and Spanish Grand Prix. In this lightweight form, with their large capacity, silent and torquey engines, their performance and refinement was unparalleled.

50YB was ‘on test’ at Derby on 29th May 1914 and sold to Pickford, Trown and Co, motor dealers of Sheffield. The chassis was fitted with Holmes of Derby Tourer coachwork with brass fittings and ‘London to Edinburgh’ type bonnet and dash. In July 1914 the chassis cards refer to preparation for delivery to Pickfords in Sheffield, however, in September of that year it was still at the Derby factory and a new front axle was fitted together with a new set of wheels and tyres. This seems to imply that it was retained by Rolls-Royce and had extensive use/testing at this time.

In any event Pickfords sold the chassis to Carlos Menendez of Buenos Aires. Correspondence on file from Menendez says that 50YB was not delivered to Argentina until 1916. In the meantime a Barker Landaulette body had been ordered and fitted. The Menendez family were wealthy shippers and traders, and their business still exists in Argentina today with an airline and supermarket chain.

Menendez retained 50YB in this form until 1969 when it was sold to Paul Moser. The car found its way to the UK and was restored when owned by a John Wilkins of Kent, the work being undertaken by Antique Automobiles and JN Harley. Michael Banfield bought the car in 1974 and retained it until 2014.

The present owner acquired 50YB in 2014 with the idea of building a replica Holmes Touring body which, it is believed, was originally fitted, and using the car for touring given its four-speed gearbox and good braking having the larger type ‘concentric’ rear arrangement. The Barker body of circa 1915/16 was removed (and is retained with the car) and Clanfield Coachworks built a Holmes Tourer body from drawings found from another car. Carl J Ford undertook a comprehensive mechanical refurbishment, transforming the driving experience. Interestingly, the steering rake was easily dropped, suggesting that it had been raised and modified at some stage previously to suit the Barker body. In addition, a supplementary fuel tank was fitted to extend the touring range.

Today, 50YB is a highly impressive car, carrying iconic Holmes of Derby style coachwork and finished in battleship grey, as many of the original trials cars were. The 22” radiator gives the car an imposing, sporting stance, and its brass fittings add to the car’s appeal. This is a highly desirable Silver Ghost, having the ultimate specification for touring and beauty like no other.