1923 | Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost

1923 Rolls Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Tilbury Landaulette by Willoughby
Chassis number: 370HH
Registration Number: DS7813
GILBERT...
... is a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulette and was delivered to the first owner, John O. Gilbert of 1313 Washington Street, Jackson, Michigan on 2nd May 1924. It cost him $13,108.50, which, at the 1923 exchange rate of $4.36/£1, meant the equivalent sterling price was €3,006.10s. 10½d.
The car was sold by his estate in 1971 and has covered just 65,000 warranted miles from new.
Built by Rolls-Royce of America Inc. at Springfield, Massachusetts who built 1, 703 Silver Ghosts between 1921 and 1926, it is believed only three other examples of this model were made.
Engine 6 cylinders in line, 7,428cc.
Power output 86bhp at 2,250pm
Compression ratio 3.91:1
Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork by Willoughby.
This is one of the finest largely original Silver Ghosts you are likely to come across. The driving experience is sublime with a very taut tight unworn feel to the suspension, steering & gear box. The interior is of very comfortable blue velour in excellent condition thoughout. Exterior paint is dark blue over black & is unblemished in wonderful order.
The Silver Ghost was subsequently owned by John Austin of Sussex (from 26th August 1997) followed by Terry Lister (from 29th November 2002) and then the current owner. There is a photograph on file of the car at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2004. Gilbert will travel in top (fourth) gear from 3mph to a top speed of 64mph, with a fuel consumption of approximately 9mpg.

Considered to be one of the finest original Silver Ghosts in the world, and featured in Edward Eves' book, Rolls-Royce - 80 Years of Excellence, this magnificent example would enhance any prestigious private collection.
On file is a newspaper cutting dating from February 1990, which reveals that Mr Gilbert had owned the Ghost for 50 years and drove it only 42,000 miles. On his death the Rolls-Royce was sold to the Craven Foundation in Toronto, Canada, which passed it on to Brian Cauthery. Mr Cauthery advertised the Ghost for sale and it was purchased and shipped to the UK by Clive Jacobs, presenter of BBC Radio 4's 'Going Places'. The car was first registered in the UK on 5th October 1988. In the aforementioned newspaper article Jacobs recalled: "We did 1,400 miles in France with it last year and it never missed a beat.
The car sold previously for an even £200,000