The Best Car In The World For Auction At Bonhams Golden Age Of Motoring Sale
The best car in the world, a Rolls Royce 1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost, is available at the Bonhams Golden Age of Motoring Sale. The semi open limousine was the height of Edwardian style, opulence and engineering. The coachbuilding on this early age of motoring example is absolutely superb.
The Silver Ghost got its name due to the silver paintwork of the original 1906 Motor Show car. The flagship model for Rolls-Royce which gave the reputation of the best car in the world. The factory demonstration car setting a new world record in the 15,000 mile Scottish Reliability Run to reinforce that motto.
Rolls-Royce produced a fabulous new 7 litre engine with its three speed gearbox. The performance and smoothness were outstanding at the time. It was much quieter than all the rivals. Almost ghostly.
The coachwork was by Joseph A Lawton & Co of Liverpool. They designed the tulip-backed limousine body to the first owner’s specification, Mrs Benger of the Benger’s Foods company. A then neighbour of Sir Henry Royce.
Finished in a beautiful shade of deep red with contrasting black wings and fine coach lines. All the Silver Ghost’s fittings are made of brass, which including the lovely French opera lamps. Not something you’ll see in a car specification list these days.
Also, something not seen these days so often is the separate chauffer’s compartment. The seats are trimmed in black leather with a deep button. You see, leather back then was for the working class driver. It was cheaper and hard wearing. The fine cloths reserved for those inside. The instrumentation consists of a speedometer, a fuel pressure gauge and an electric klaxon. If the driver needed communicating with there is a speaking tube.
In the rear, the passenger compartment is luxuriously fitted out with silk blinds and curtains. There are bevelled glass rear windows and burr walnut door panelling and headlining. Feeling much more like a drawing room than a conveyance. Courtesy lamps, cocktail cabinet and a vanity tray that contains scent bottles and a flower vase behind the clock. There is even a luggage rack to accommodate those on a long-distance motor tour.
The Bonhams Golden Age of Motoring Sale will take place at New Bond Street on Friday 30 October. The Rolls-Royce has an estimate of £1,000,000 – 1,300,000 and is the star lot of the auction.
Head over to bonhams if you want to see the car, viewings are this Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th. You can register here for bidding. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26120/
Thanks to Bohnams Bonhams Golden Age of Motoring Sale for use of the images.
Simon