Classic car showcase: Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

From Herald Wheels: Classic car showcase: Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
For many decades the British Rolls-Royce called itself the best car in the world. Although that claim may have been open to question, the Rolls could certainly be numbered among the best. The model that originally established that vaunted reputation was the Silver Ghost.

In 1904 Royce Ltd. of Manchester, England, manufacturer of electric motors and generators, decided to venture into making gasoline engine cars. Henry Royce was a meticulous, self-taught engineer whose cars reflected that care and attention.

But he was a hands-on craftsman, more comfortable designing and improving his cars than marketing them. He needed an enthusiastic salesman to convince buyers of his car's engineering excellence.

Charles Stewart Rolls was that kind of man. Born to the aristocracy, the third son of Lord Llangattock, he was an intrepid adventurer. Rolls was an early balloon pilot and one of the first to welcome the Wright brothers' airplane to Europe (he was destined to die in a plane accident in 1910 at age 32.) Cars were another of his passions and he became a prominent European automobile racer.

Rolls was selling French Panhards in London and at the urging of a friend, travelled to Manchester in 1904 to meet Royce and see what he had built. Rolls was so impressed with the cars that he immediately suggested they join forces. An agreement was reached: Royce would build them and Rolls would sell them.

In trying to find its way as a motor manufacturer Rolls-Royce built several four and six cylinder models, and even a V8. Then for 1907 the company decided that a one-model policy would be preferable, allowing it to concentrate its resources rather than spreading them over several models. It was the principle that propelled Henry Ford to success with his venerable Model T.

The model 40/50, popularly known as the Silver Ghost for its ultra-quiet running was chosen. It made its debut at the Olympia Motor Show in November, 1906 as a 1907 model. The Ghost was a large vehicle with a 3,429 mm wheelbase and weight of 1,671-kg. Power came from a 7-litre inline, side-valve six-cylinder engine developing 48 horsepower at only 1,200 rpm. An ultra-high fourth gear combined with large wheels permitted the big six to loaf along at a mere 1,000 rpm at 76 km/h, a figure rarely achieved by modern cars.

To demonstrate the new model's engineering quality it was taken on a 3,220 km reliability run which included driving from the south coast of England all the way to the top of Scotland in high gear. The test was conducted under the strict scrutiny of the Royal Automobile Club.

The Ghost completed the run successfully, but to further demonstrate its durability it was immediately sent on a 24,150 km test with Charles Rolls as one of the drivers. This, too, was completed without involuntary stops except for tire changes, breaking the world's record for reliability and long distance. RAC engineers then stripped the Silver Ghost down to determine how much deterioration it had suffered. Amazingly, their micrometers could detect no wear in the engine, transmission, brakes or steering gear.

These exploits established Rolls-Royce's reputation almost overnight and the Silver Ghost began selling well. The Ghost was built from 1907 to 1925, with more than 6,000 produced, including some made in Springfield, Massachusetts.

While the Ghost was built for many years, it is generally conceded that Rolls-Royce's reputation as the maker of the best car in the world was established by those built between 1907 and the beginning of the First World War in 1914.

Incredible as it may seem, the original Silver Ghost test car is still running. The car was used by various company officials during 1907 and part of 1908 and then sold to one of Rolls-Royce's travelling inspectors, A.M. Hanbury. He proceeded to accumulate something in excess of 805,000 km.

Hanbury eventually retired and in 1947 Rolls-Royce received a message from his son-in-law that some spare parts were needed for the Ghost. Hanbury died before the transaction was completed, but Rolls-Royce, now aware of the location of the car, acquired it from the heirs.

Much repair and restoration was required, of course, but Rolls-Royce got it back on the road. It has been serving as a "working car" goodwill ambassador for the company ever since and has covered more than 966,000 km.

Rolls-Royce is now owned by Germany's BMW, and is fortunate in still having the first Silver Ghost. BMW is committed to keeping the faith, and keeping the venerable Ghost roadworthy, not just sitting in a museum as a static exhibit. I'm sure Henry Royce and Charles Rolls would have expected no less from the car that launched the legend of "The best car in the world."