Footnotes

• Although its 40/50hp model would have earned its 'The Best Car in the World' sobriquet in any event, Rolls-Royce's decision to drop all other types only served to focus attention on what would become known as the 'Silver Ghost'. Prior to 1908, cars with two, three, four and six cylinders were built, and an abortive V8, before the decision was made to concentrate on the six-cylinder 40/50hp. The latter first appeared at the 1906 Motor Show, becoming known as the 'Silver Ghost' the following year when chassis number '60551' was exhibited wearing silver-painted tourer coachwork by Barker.
  
  The heart of the Silver Ghost was its magnificent engine: a 7,036cc (later 7,428cc) sidevalve six equipped with seven-bearing crankshaft and pressure lubrication. A sturdy chassis comprised of channel-section side members and tubular cross members was 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.
  
  After a successful 2,000-mile trial under RAC supervision, the factory demonstrator - chassis '60551', 'The Silver Ghost' - was entered in the Scottish Reliability Trial, completing the 15,000-mile run with flying colours to set a new World Record. From then on the car's reputation was assured, not the least in North America where the wide-open spaces placed a premium on reliability and comfort.
  
  Imported from South America in 2016, this Lot consists of an original Silver Ghost chassis frame (number '398XM'); a Ghost engine and gearbox (numbered, both believed rebuilt in the USA); a Ghost front axle; Phantom I rear axle; and numerous other small parts: gauges, speedometer drive, etc. The new Piccadilly Roadster body was made in the USA. There are no documents with this Lot, which is sold strictly as viewed.