Lot 1008: 1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost

It was in September of 1911 that E.W. Hives completed the legendary journey from London to Edinburgh driving a Rolls-Royce 40/50hp, a journey using top gear only, averaging 24.32 miles per gallon and at the completion of that journey the same car was taken to the purpose-built race track at Brooklands, near London, where it was timed at no less than 78.26mph. That car featured lightweight sporting torpedo coachwork by Holmes of Derby and mechanically was substantially to standard ‘Silver Ghost’ specification but featured cantilever, underslung rear springs and a larger carburettor. Demands for replicas of this model poured into Rolls-Royce and even today the ‘London-Edinburgh’ Ghost is perhaps the most coveted of all.

S178ML, a standard Silver Ghost chassis, was supplied new as a Piccadilly Roadster to its first owner, A.H. Beck of Wayland, Massachusetts, in June 1926. It is known that in 1950 it was owned by one J.J. Quinn and the car was acquired by Frank Cooke from J Baust in 1961. When acquired it retained that Piccadilly coachwork which is now fitted to the Phantom I, chassis no. S454FL, also offered in this sale. Frank Cooke acquired the present ‘London-Edinburgh’-style sporting torpedo coachwork, built in East Africa, many years ago and mounted it on S178ML. The car is very smartly presented in all areas, the three-door coachwork being liveried in deep maroon and black and furnished with black, pleated and buttoned leather upholstery with black duck top and weather equipment.

S178ML is equipped with windscreen-mounted side wind deflectors, twin side-mounted spare wheels, sprung bumpers front and rear, leather-gaitered springs, side scuttle vents, Auster-type screen for the comfort of the rear passengers, fishtail exhaust, luggage carrier and trunk. Fittings throughout are nickel and Bausch & Lomb drum headlamps are fitted along with Toby diver’s helmet rear lamps. As S178ML was prepared by Frank Cooke for the long distance touring he wisely equipped the car with a modern oil filter system and overdrive unit to ease the strain on the fast longer drives.

The car was used by the Cooke family both locally and in attending R-R.O.C. Meets, however it is five or more years since this car was used and the usual careful recommissioning is advised. Within the Cooke family this car is affectionately known as ‘Lucky Dog’, having been rescued and rebuilt by Frank Cooke from different sources. It comes with a Certificate of Title.