1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, London to Edinburgh
Lent by Sam & Emily Mann
Only Rolls Royce wooden boat tail skiff body built by Schapiro-Schebera of Berlin, Germany
Unique example of one of the best-performing automobiles of the period
Multiple First in Class Concours d’Elegance awards
Wearing one of the most impressive and attractive bodies of all time, this Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Skiff exemplifies the high level of detail a coachbuilder would achieve to satisfy a customer’s request. A truly unique open sporting car of its day.
Remarkably, this Silver Ghost Skiff is said to have retained its original metalwork and Cuban Mahogany woodwork. While this Silver Ghost was restored in recent years, the restoration was carefully completed to preserve the original wood, and it has since received First in Class awards at both the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
One of just five skiff-body were made for the Silver Ghost, and this is believed to be the only example produced by Schapiro-Schebera of Berlin, Germany. A standard Silver Ghost wearing a touring body was a significant automobile itself in the period, let alone a skiff. In 1921, a Silver Ghost rolling chassis alone cost $11,750 (equivalent to about $200,000 today), and the owner would still need to pay a coachbuilder to build the body of choice. This skiff-back is one of the most outlandish bodies made in the period for any automobile, alluding to the luxury of yachting in the period, and likely constructed with the skills inspired by traditional wooden boat building.
The chassis of this car, 54PB, was completed in 1914, though the chassis was not bodied until after 1919 due to World War I. In 1925, 54PB was acquired by Messrs. A. Souraty & Cie of Cairo, Egypt, and remained in Egypt until the 1950s, which because of Egypt’s dry climate, is one of the reasons why 54PB still retains its original wood.
Specifications:
Engine: 7.4 Liter Inline six-cylinder
Horsepower: 50 @ 1500 RPM
Brakes: Rear-Wheel Mechanical Drums
Transmission: Four-Speed Manual
Top Speed: 65 MPH