Beschreibung:

Photo Credit: James Mann FROM THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM B. RUGER 1913 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP SILVER GHOST TOURER REPLICA COACHWORK TO LONDON-EDINBURGH STYLE by WILKINSON Chassis No. 39 NA Engine No. 56 X Green with green leather interior and beige top Engine: in-line, six cylinder in two blocks of three, L-head, bore 4ins, stroke 4ins, 7,248cc, 50hp; Gearbox: four-speed manual with right hand gate change; Suspension: front semi-elliptic, rear cantilever leaf springs; Brakes: foot and handbrake operating on rear wheels. Right hand drive. By 1914 it had been more than seven years since Rolls-Royce elected to produce a single model, widely known as the 'Silver Ghost', and with it they had achieved worldwide acclaim. Today, in an age when marketing and promotion is at the forefront of technology, it is fascinating to read the simplicity of their promotional material which is brimming with statements such as, Disinterested experts who have tried every other make of car, after driving the Rolls-Royce always admit that it is a revelation of suppleness, luxury of suspension, silence, smokelessness and all-round excellence . These bold comments were always backed up by proven testing and international success in trials. While they vehemently supported their single model policy proclaiming, There is only one type of Rolls-Royce Chassis manufactured at the present time. It is a 40-50hp Six Cylinder Model , they did offer two variants to the theme which were a higher performance car based on the successful formula for their non-stop top gear London-Edinburgh test, and a Colonial model. In the days when it could be said that 'The sun never set on the British Empire' the Colonial model catered to the far-reaching clientele of Rolls-Royce. As required in countries with more basic roads and of a warmer climate than the home market, it offered a higher ground clearance, radiator and bonnet, and a larger fan, but was still the same reliable model on which Rolls-Royce built their reputation. This Colonial Silver Ghost, chassis number 39 NA, dates from the transitional period of numerical to the first lettered series (A) of the model. Supplied new to France in November 1913, original build sheets specify that it was fitted with a louvered hood, four speed transmission, nickel brightwork and hubs to fit Michelin wheels. With its suspension set to carry six person coachwork weighing 450 kilos, it went to renowned Parisian coachbuilders Labourdette, being one of a handful of Rolls-Royce chassis consigned to them at that time. Labourdette no doubt equipped the car with a flamboyant sculpted Limousine body, as was their style, although sadly no photographs of this exist today. Sold through Rolls-Royce Autos France, the first owner was E. Bourriez & Co. of Lille. It is understood that later in its life, in 1929, the car was rebodied by another contemporary French coachbuilder of renown, Henri Binder, but the history during this period is not recorded. By 1959, 39 NA was the property of Madame de Desurmont, I.C.A.O. South American Representative. Five years later it passed to a Mr. Tippett of Virginia, and in the early 1970s it passed on to renowned Silver Ghost aficionado and collector Millard Newman. Newman was responsible for a complete restoration, carried out in the UK with the intention of providing him with a personal tour car. He commissioned respected English coachbuilders I. Wilkinson & Co. of Derby to construct the lightweight touring body that it still wears today. Owing to its proposed active use, it was fully mechanically sorted, sensibly incorporating a modification to the oiling system which pressurized oil to the main bearings. On completion of the work, Newman entered the car to be driven by his friend, Leo Geophart, where it was successfully campaigned on the Great Alpine Commemorative Rally marking the 60th anniversary of the company's success in the 1913 Alpine trial, for which it wears a plaque on the firewall. In the same year