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Auction archive: Lot number 104

1924 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PALL MALL TOURER

Auction 24.04.1999
24 Apr 1999
Estimate
US$70,000 - US$100,000
Price realised:
US$96,000
Auction archive: Lot number 104

1924 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PALL MALL TOURER

Auction 24.04.1999
24 Apr 1999
Estimate
US$70,000 - US$100,000
Price realised:
US$96,000
Beschreibung:

1924 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PALL MALL TOURER COACHWORK BY ROLLS-ROYCE CUSTOM COACHWORKS Chassis No. 180 KF Maroon and black with black leather interior Engine: six-cylinder, side valves, 7,428cc, 65bhp at 1,250rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual with overdrive; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic leaf springs, rear, cantilever; Brakes: two wheel drum. Right hand drive. Claude Johnson, Rolls-Royce's great marketing and promotional genius, felt that demand for Silver Ghosts in America after World War I, combined with a punishing U.S. import duty on automobiles, called for an American-based assembly plant for Derby's motor cars. After some exploratory study, a decision was made that a Rolls-Royce of America manufacturing entity should be established. American financing was secured, capital stock was issued beginning in late 1919 and suitable plant locations were investigated. Finally, in February 1920, an existing facility of the Wire Wheel Corporation of America in Springfield, Massachusetts was acquired. Intense work commenced in converting the plant for automotive production to Rolls-Royce standards. About one year later, the first of the Springfield Silver Ghosts rolled out of the factory, beginning a Rolls-Royce manufacturing presence in the United States that was to last until the Great Depression. Not only did the Silver Ghost achieve a quality of engineering and performance that was outstanding in its era, but the chassis was also highly suited to a diverse range of coachwork. Consequently, the coachbuilders had many more opportunities to express themselves and designed everything from specialized golfers' coupes to the sporting open touring cars like the one offered here. The quality of the U.S. bodies was beyond reproach. Today, many American Rolls-Royce enthusiasts believe the Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork and later Brewster bodies to be the finest ever fitted to the Rolls-Royce. This particular Pall Mall bodied Ghost has an extensive and well documented history. Its first owner was Mr. Gordon P. Mougey of Cincinnati, OH who took delivery in April 1924 when he got married and the Rolls-Royce was used for his honeymoon trip to the Maine woods. Apparently Mr. Mougey cherished this vehicle and would spend each Sunday morning greasing and adjusting the car. It appears that in 1924 it was fitted with an early 'one-shot' lubrication system by a Rolls-Royce service engineer. In 1937 Mr. Mougey passed away and his widow placed the car on blocks until September 1943, when Charles S. Shoup purchased 180KF. At this time the mileage was 83,000 miles and after a quick service, she started without problem and was driven straight to Nashville. Mr. Shoup was at this time a Professor of Biology at Vanderbilt University and later went on to join the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge, Tenn. He once again lavished tremendous care upon the car and used it almost daily until 1948/49. He much regretted parting with the car and wrote some fascinating letters to the next two owners, telling them the history of the car and how it should be properly maintained and run. He also passed on his correspondence with Mrs. Mougey and all these letters and some older photographs survive today. The third owner was Mr. C. M. Wyman who in turn sold the car two years later, in 1952, to Mr. Harold Kubly, a professor at the University of Wisconsin. The fifth and final owner to date was Mr. Donald Weesner who acquired the car in 1959. The car today is very original, although it has a Packard steering wheel, and has been sitting on blocks for many years now. With its Pall Mall coachwork, this Silver Ghost is one of the most desirable post-war American bodies ever built. Coupled with its fine provenance, this newly rediscovered vehicle warrants close attention by any enthusiast of the marque.

Auction archive: Lot number 104
Auction:
Datum:
24 Apr 1999
Auction house:
Christie's
New York, Park Avenue
Beschreibung:

1924 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PALL MALL TOURER COACHWORK BY ROLLS-ROYCE CUSTOM COACHWORKS Chassis No. 180 KF Maroon and black with black leather interior Engine: six-cylinder, side valves, 7,428cc, 65bhp at 1,250rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual with overdrive; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic leaf springs, rear, cantilever; Brakes: two wheel drum. Right hand drive. Claude Johnson, Rolls-Royce's great marketing and promotional genius, felt that demand for Silver Ghosts in America after World War I, combined with a punishing U.S. import duty on automobiles, called for an American-based assembly plant for Derby's motor cars. After some exploratory study, a decision was made that a Rolls-Royce of America manufacturing entity should be established. American financing was secured, capital stock was issued beginning in late 1919 and suitable plant locations were investigated. Finally, in February 1920, an existing facility of the Wire Wheel Corporation of America in Springfield, Massachusetts was acquired. Intense work commenced in converting the plant for automotive production to Rolls-Royce standards. About one year later, the first of the Springfield Silver Ghosts rolled out of the factory, beginning a Rolls-Royce manufacturing presence in the United States that was to last until the Great Depression. Not only did the Silver Ghost achieve a quality of engineering and performance that was outstanding in its era, but the chassis was also highly suited to a diverse range of coachwork. Consequently, the coachbuilders had many more opportunities to express themselves and designed everything from specialized golfers' coupes to the sporting open touring cars like the one offered here. The quality of the U.S. bodies was beyond reproach. Today, many American Rolls-Royce enthusiasts believe the Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork and later Brewster bodies to be the finest ever fitted to the Rolls-Royce. This particular Pall Mall bodied Ghost has an extensive and well documented history. Its first owner was Mr. Gordon P. Mougey of Cincinnati, OH who took delivery in April 1924 when he got married and the Rolls-Royce was used for his honeymoon trip to the Maine woods. Apparently Mr. Mougey cherished this vehicle and would spend each Sunday morning greasing and adjusting the car. It appears that in 1924 it was fitted with an early 'one-shot' lubrication system by a Rolls-Royce service engineer. In 1937 Mr. Mougey passed away and his widow placed the car on blocks until September 1943, when Charles S. Shoup purchased 180KF. At this time the mileage was 83,000 miles and after a quick service, she started without problem and was driven straight to Nashville. Mr. Shoup was at this time a Professor of Biology at Vanderbilt University and later went on to join the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge, Tenn. He once again lavished tremendous care upon the car and used it almost daily until 1948/49. He much regretted parting with the car and wrote some fascinating letters to the next two owners, telling them the history of the car and how it should be properly maintained and run. He also passed on his correspondence with Mrs. Mougey and all these letters and some older photographs survive today. The third owner was Mr. C. M. Wyman who in turn sold the car two years later, in 1952, to Mr. Harold Kubly, a professor at the University of Wisconsin. The fifth and final owner to date was Mr. Donald Weesner who acquired the car in 1959. The car today is very original, although it has a Packard steering wheel, and has been sitting on blocks for many years now. With its Pall Mall coachwork, this Silver Ghost is one of the most desirable post-war American bodies ever built. Coupled with its fine provenance, this newly rediscovered vehicle warrants close attention by any enthusiast of the marque.

Auction archive: Lot number 104
Auction:
Datum:
24 Apr 1999
Auction house:
Christie's
New York, Park Avenue
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