1924 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost

1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Arthur Mulliner enclosed drive limousine.

Originally registered to one F. J. Ward. a rubber magnate living at "Wansfell" in Theydon Bois.

Long Chassis number AU21

Registration Number PU5650

Engine Number U17

A spectacular car that has in the last few years been restored to an very high standard. The coachwork is by Arthur Mulliner of Northampton & is in the form of an enclosed drive limousine; well proportioned & with pleasing lines.

The bills that come with the car are eye-watering. £64,000 on the engine alone for example. The engine was completely disassembled by Marque specialists Ristes of Nottingham & then rebuilt to an as-new standard. Everything that could be done was done. without regard being given to cost. Since then the engine has run just 2000 miles & is about run in. I took this car to france on an extended jaunt through Normandy "en Famille" & can attest ot how well it runs devouring big mileage days with aplomb.

Similar attention to detail was given to the chassis. braking system & every mechanical part on the car. Thus the car is in impeccable order & ready for the next few hundred thousand miles of its life. It is fitted with new brake shoes to the 4 wheel brakes & also new tyres. Correct leather gaiters cover the springs fore & aft.

The exterior paint is black over a vivid blue & is in good condition. Twin side mounts are fitted to the running boards & a commodious Brexton trunk re-manufactured to new standard adorns the rear. The front screen is in a vee configuration comprising 4 panels two of which hinge open for summer motoring.

The interior is where the car becomes really special; the front is black leather. with black leather door insets. embossed with a leaf motif. To the rear is Bedford cord with the leaf motif being carried on, embroidered in gold thread, to the doors & also roof lining. An oval theme also is found throughout the car with ovals to the door inserts. an oval rear window & a beautifully curved division in the form of two sliding curved glass panels. The graceful curve of the dash provides the concave answer to that of the convex division. effectivly making the drivers compartment also oval in plan.

Most spectacular of all is the woodwork which is of a quality of its own. Both fiddleback mahogany & burr walnut are used in a copious manner adorning all surfaces including a complete edge ceiling cornice. Satinwood marquetry banding is let into the main wood areas by way of an accent. The roof woodwork has alcoves let into it containing lights that throw a soft glow across the ceiling for nocturnal use. Additionally the ceiling has a centre mounted opening skylight or "smokers hatch" as it was known in those days.

The front doors unusually are hinged from the A posts. Other attractive features include the three scuttle mounted air vents. The Lucas light fixtures are all silver plated. The door handles are of superb quality. embossed as they are with acanthus leaf motifs in raised relief.

A stunning collectors grade car with everything that can be done. already done. making for an expense & trouble free ownership experience for the next fortunate keeper. Cars of this quality rarely come along!!!