Details
1920/21 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50 HP SILVER GHOST DOCTORS COUPE
COACHWORK BY WINDOVERS OF LONDON
Registration No. XK 1702
Chassis No. 26TE ('N' Series)
Engine No. N.353
Engine: six-cylinder in-line, two groups of three cast iron blocks, non-detachable cylinder heads, two side valves per cylinder by rockers and rollers from single camshaft, 7428cc, bore and stroke 114mm x 121mm, compression ratio 3.2:1, 65bhp at 1500rpm, Rolls-Royce twin jet carburettor, coil and magneto ignition, two plugs per cylinder. Transmission: cone type clutch with four speed manual gearbox, torque tube propeller shaft direct bevel final drive, live rear axle. Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs on front and cantilever rear springs, Hartford friction type shock absorbers. Brakes: rear wheel only, internal expanding drum brakes for hand and foot brake. Right hand drive.
The 40/50 HP six cylinder Rolls-Royce was conceived by Henry Royce in 1905 and in fact was a re-design of the existing six cylinder 30 model. Production began in 1907 and the famous factory demonstration chassis No.13 with its Barker Touring body was dubbed Silver Ghost due to its silver painted coachwork and silver plated fittings. The publicity created by this car with its 14,731 mile RAC observed trial and its top gear only drive from the South Coast to Scotland persuaded the company to adopt the Silver Ghost name for all forms of future 40/50 models.
The original design was so good that very little change took place during its long production run up to 1925. It set new standards of engineering and although it was no more technically advanced than some other cars, it always performed better and in a more refined and silent manner than any of its contemporaries. Thus 'the best car in the world' reputation was established and became a legend in its own lifetime.
Rolls-Royce only built the chassis, that is until after the last war, and therefore the prospective owner had an enormous variety of styles and shapes to choose from the leading coachbuilders of the day. The performance of the Silver Ghost was dependant upon which type of coachwork was fitted, and some limousines were known to exceed two tons in weight. It was also not unusual for owners to change the coachwork style for summer and winter motoring or for variations in family circumstances, and one such car that has received various body changes in its life is this elegant 1920 Doctors Coupe.
Chassis 26TE was completed at Rolls-Royce Motors in December 1920 and sent to Thrupp & Maberly for a limousine body, finally being delivered to its first owner, Mr C H Whittington in August 1921. A year later the owner decided to have a Mulliners of Northampton Enclosed Drivers Cabriolet style body fitted which was removed in 1927 when the owner exchanged the chassis for a new one. Chassis 26TE was then sold to Rolls-Royce agents Dunbar & Sons of Edinburgh who had Windovers of London fit a fixed head Doctors Coupe style body. The car's whereabouts from that period to the late 1980's is obscure other than the present UK owner purchased the vehicle in Florida, USA, since when it has had a major restoration and body rebuild into the present cabriolet top Doctors Coupe.
This magnificent car has now a very sporting appearance and both bodily and mechanically is in excellent condition providing a very spirited performance that can best be described as the ideal sporting driver's Silver Ghost. The fittings, all of which are original, are nickel-plated, the bonnet and scuttle are polished alloy and has the original Spirit of Ecstacy mascot and double divide vee screen. A single side mounted spare wheel and carrier, full length running boards and flowing wings complement this two-door, two-seater with dickey seat. Internally, the dashboard and door trims are mahogany with the correct set of instruments and controls, the deep-buttoned brown leather upholstery is of an earlier restoration which adds to the overall patina of the car. The all leather black hood has a snug fit and fully retracts to an area behind the front seats.
It is a rare opportunity to find such an attractive and usable Silver Ghost that has been extremely well maintained and sympathetically restored. This car has tremendous character and with its sporting attributes and excellent driving manners makes it ideal for weekend rallies or continental touring. It comes with a new 12 months MoT test certificate.
COACHWORK BY WINDOVERS OF LONDON
Registration No. XK 1702
Chassis No. 26TE ('N' Series)
Engine No. N.353
Engine: six-cylinder in-line, two groups of three cast iron blocks, non-detachable cylinder heads, two side valves per cylinder by rockers and rollers from single camshaft, 7428cc, bore and stroke 114mm x 121mm, compression ratio 3.2:1, 65bhp at 1500rpm, Rolls-Royce twin jet carburettor, coil and magneto ignition, two plugs per cylinder. Transmission: cone type clutch with four speed manual gearbox, torque tube propeller shaft direct bevel final drive, live rear axle. Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs on front and cantilever rear springs, Hartford friction type shock absorbers. Brakes: rear wheel only, internal expanding drum brakes for hand and foot brake. Right hand drive.
The 40/50 HP six cylinder Rolls-Royce was conceived by Henry Royce in 1905 and in fact was a re-design of the existing six cylinder 30 model. Production began in 1907 and the famous factory demonstration chassis No.13 with its Barker Touring body was dubbed Silver Ghost due to its silver painted coachwork and silver plated fittings. The publicity created by this car with its 14,731 mile RAC observed trial and its top gear only drive from the South Coast to Scotland persuaded the company to adopt the Silver Ghost name for all forms of future 40/50 models.
The original design was so good that very little change took place during its long production run up to 1925. It set new standards of engineering and although it was no more technically advanced than some other cars, it always performed better and in a more refined and silent manner than any of its contemporaries. Thus 'the best car in the world' reputation was established and became a legend in its own lifetime.
Rolls-Royce only built the chassis, that is until after the last war, and therefore the prospective owner had an enormous variety of styles and shapes to choose from the leading coachbuilders of the day. The performance of the Silver Ghost was dependant upon which type of coachwork was fitted, and some limousines were known to exceed two tons in weight. It was also not unusual for owners to change the coachwork style for summer and winter motoring or for variations in family circumstances, and one such car that has received various body changes in its life is this elegant 1920 Doctors Coupe.
Chassis 26TE was completed at Rolls-Royce Motors in December 1920 and sent to Thrupp & Maberly for a limousine body, finally being delivered to its first owner, Mr C H Whittington in August 1921. A year later the owner decided to have a Mulliners of Northampton Enclosed Drivers Cabriolet style body fitted which was removed in 1927 when the owner exchanged the chassis for a new one. Chassis 26TE was then sold to Rolls-Royce agents Dunbar & Sons of Edinburgh who had Windovers of London fit a fixed head Doctors Coupe style body. The car's whereabouts from that period to the late 1980's is obscure other than the present UK owner purchased the vehicle in Florida, USA, since when it has had a major restoration and body rebuild into the present cabriolet top Doctors Coupe.
This magnificent car has now a very sporting appearance and both bodily and mechanically is in excellent condition providing a very spirited performance that can best be described as the ideal sporting driver's Silver Ghost. The fittings, all of which are original, are nickel-plated, the bonnet and scuttle are polished alloy and has the original Spirit of Ecstacy mascot and double divide vee screen. A single side mounted spare wheel and carrier, full length running boards and flowing wings complement this two-door, two-seater with dickey seat. Internally, the dashboard and door trims are mahogany with the correct set of instruments and controls, the deep-buttoned brown leather upholstery is of an earlier restoration which adds to the overall patina of the car. The all leather black hood has a snug fit and fully retracts to an area behind the front seats.
It is a rare opportunity to find such an attractive and usable Silver Ghost that has been extremely well maintained and sympathetically restored. This car has tremendous character and with its sporting attributes and excellent driving manners makes it ideal for weekend rallies or continental touring. It comes with a new 12 months MoT test certificate.