1924 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Springfield Pickwick Limousine

The heart of the Silver Ghost was its magnificent engine, a 7,036cc (later 7,428cc) side-valve six equipped with seven-bearing crankshaft and pressure lubrication. The sturdy chassis consisted of channel-section side members and tubular cross members suspended on semi-elliptic springs at the front and a 'platform' leaf-spring arrangement at the rear, though the latter soon came in for revision. The transmission too was soon changed, a three-speed gearbox with direct-drive top gear replacing the original four-speed/overdrive top unit in 1909. In the course of its 20-year production life there would be countless other improvements to the car, one of the most important being the adoption of servo-assisted four-wheel brakes towards the end of 1923.

The magnificent Silver Ghost on offer here (339LF) dates from 1924 and is one of the 1,700 odd cars built at Rolls-Royce plant in Springfield, USA. The Willoughby Company of Utica N.Y. specialised in chauffeur-driven town cars, landaulettes and limousines of first-quality workmanship and conservative styling and, like most large American custom coachbuilders they were production body builders, known for series-built catalogue models for the major automobile manufacturers. The first owner of this venerable motor car was one F.B. Harder of New York and he commissioned the Willoughby Company to fit their Pickwick Town Car bodywork to his new Rolls-Royce and, pleasingly, RR #339LF and Willoughby bodywork #WC904211 are still together 99 years later.

Our vendor's late father spent a lot of time looking for a low-mileage, original Ghost and was lucky enough to find #339LF some years ago acquiring it on 13th February 2001. As you can see the car remains rather impressive, finished in Black over Royal Garnet with twin drum headlamps adorning the front along with dual side-mounted spare wheels shod with 'whitewall' tyres and a substantial wicker basket to the rear. The car is quite spacious up front for the owner driver whilst also having a division to afford privacy for the rear passengers when required.

The driver's area looks remarkably comfortable with gently patinated black leather and all the clearly marked controls and instruments are to hand. The driving position is high and offers the traditional Rolls-Royce view down the bonnet at the real world outside. The rear compartment is rather special and could easily be described as decadent, but plush is probably better, with deep-buttoned seating covered in crimson velour with Cerise carpets, oak door caps, chrome handles and a pair of the obligatory flower vases. Fabulous. A pair of occasional seats in matching fabric pop up offering comfortable seating for five. The engine bay is in fine order and the whole car stands 'all square'.

Prior to the sale it was recently driven by a marque expert and these were his thoughts;

'This car has covered a scant 63,000 miles from new and looks and drives like it. The foot pedals show no wear whatsoever and the steering is tight and play-free. The car runs and drives in a manner that only comes with cars that have never been apart since leaving the factory. The best part about this car, however, is actually driving it. The engine is strong, silent and powerful allowing for a slightly unseemly turn of speed when required to do so. It goes up hills with aplomb and has a strong go-anywhere feel to it. The engine starts readily, exhibits good oil pressure and runs cool in comparative silence.'

 For the last few years, the Ghost has been part of a fleet of very impressively-presented vintage and PVT cars available for special occasions, birthdays, proms, weddings etc. and has been maintained in-house. The indicated mileage is 62,823 however, we understand that the odometer may no longer work.

The interesting history file contains sundry correspondence, DVLA, SORN and insurance correspondence, 27 MOTs going back to 1991, a comprehensive parts list, an original handbook, its current V5C, older tax discs, a P&A Wood Maintenance Guide and a number of photographs.

Between 1906 and 1924, Rolls-Royce constructed 6,173 Silver Ghosts with a further 1,703 built in America, and a remarkably high percentage of these not only survive but remain on the road, testimony to the brilliance of Sir Henry Royce's original design. #339LF is approaching its centenary and we would like to think that it's going to be gracing our roads for many years to come.