£500k Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost goes to auction

Missed out on ‘The Corgi’ Rolls-Royce when it sold for £4.7 million at the Goodwood auction in July? Don’t despair, another rarity from the Silver Ghost clan is coming up for sale – and this one’s a sporty number.

This particular example of the Rolls-Royce 40/50hp (as the Silver Ghost is officially known) is entirely ‘matching numbers’ and historically correct. And whereas The Corgi is akin to a fancy minibus on wheels, here we’re dealing with a racy two-seater.

Corgi Rolls-Royce sells for record-breaking £4.7m

On Bing: see more images of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Built in 1911, chassis 1557 was originally fitted with a Landaulette body, suggesting it was intended to be chauffeur driven; given the first owner was Sir Adolph Tuck of London, heir to the Raphael Tuck & Sons postcard and printing empire that seems entirely appropriate.

However, it was later rebodied by Rippon Brothers Ltd as a period two-seater Tourer; not too much of a shame as Rippon Brothers is said to be the oldest coach builder in the world – dating back to at least 1555.

The company even built a “chariot throne” for Queen Elizabeth I in 1584. Its association with Rolls-Royce continued up until 1959, winning the ‘Coachmakers Cup’ [sic] at the London Motor Show on numerous occasions – including eight straight titles in the 1930s.

Chassis 1557 also has a royal connection, having appeared at Queen Elizabeth II’s 1977 Jubilee Parade.

A 12-month restoration in 2001 has subsequently left the car in absolutely tip-top condition, as a series of recent Concours awards at Rolls-Royce Enthusiast Club rallies testify.

Best news of all, however, is the price. Featuring in the Historics at Brooklands auction on 1 September, compared to the £4.7 million Corgi, the estimate of between £450,000 and £550,000 seems like a bargain.

Now where did we put that MSN Cars’ chequebook…?

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On Bing: see images of Landaulette cars

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Corgi Rolls-Royce sells for record-breaking £4.7m

On Bing: see more images of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost