The model upon which Rolls-Royce’s reputation as makers of “The Best Car in the World” was founded, the 40/50hp debuted at the November, 1906, London Motor Show. A somewhat conventional yet beautifully-executed design, the newcomer was based around a massive ladder-frame chassis equipped with all-round leaf-spring suspension, powerful rear wheel brakes and spiral-bevel final drive. Displacing 7,036cc (7,428cc from 1910), its superlatively smooth six-cylinder engine featured a seven-bearing crankshaft, full pressure lubrication and twelve spark plugs (fed viâ a dual magneto-and-coil ignition system). Allied with a four-speed manual transmission (though a three-speed was utilised from 1909 to 1913), the sidevalve unit proved both wonderfully torquey and eerily quiet. Possessing a legendary eye for detail, Henry Royce continued to develop the 40/50hp throughout its 18-year production life. Thus, late Silver Ghosts boasted considerably more horsepower (up from 48bhp at 1,250rpm to 80bhp at 2,250rpm) and higher top speeds than their earlier brethren.
Rolls-Royce of America Inc. was established to bypass the swingeing import duty that had hitherto restricted its parent company’s transatlantic sales. Operating from factory premises in Springfield, Massachusetts, the new concern initially built carbon copies of the famous 40/50hp model. However, as time progressed, so its product became more attuned to the American market. The beautifully-wrought ladder frame chassis and enviably smooth straight-six were little altered but later cars featured a three-speed, centre gear-change manual transmission and left-hand drive. Designed to woo existing Packard, Cadillac and Pierce-Arrow customers who had little truck with the idea of a chassis only purchase, a catalogued range of Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork was soon made available. The various designs were given British names and subcontracted to the likes of Amesbury, Biddle & Smart, Holbrook, Locke, Merrimac, New Haven, Smith-Springfield and Willoughby.
Springfield Ghosts are very seldom encountered outside of America, and ‘81JH’ is a wonderful example with its fashionably-styled Pickwick Limousine coachwork by Willoughby & Co. At a time when saloons and limousines were typically built with rather stiff, upright bodies, the Pickwick’s raked three-piece windscreen – essentially an early wraparound design – looked strikingly modern.
This particular car first appears in records in September, 1923, and was completed for a wealthy American named Chester Williams, being one of only around 1,100 Springfield Ghosts built to right-hand drive specification. Sadly, no further history of ‘81JH’ is known from its time in the States, but it appears to have had a fairly easy life and has survived in a very unmolested, original state. In 1990, it was purchased from Rolls-Royce Classics in Los Angeles and imported by the vendor’s late father. Once on British soil, it joined their significant private collection of predominantly Rolls-Royce and Bentley products and, while we are advised it saw some light use during the first years of their ownership, it has never been registered with the DVLA.
The 35 years of storage has aided the Ghost’s preservation, and we are pleased to see that it presents very much as it did when it was imported, with the interior especially standing out for its seemingly original condition. It will, of course, require recommissioning and registration before it can be enjoyed the road, but we would hope the work to be straightforward. The engine can be turned over by hand, though we are advised that the carburettor, cooling system, exhaust, brakes, steering and suspension will require attention. Nevertheless, it will be worthwhile work to resurrect this rare and well-preserved gem which has never before been seen at British events, and therefore will certainly go down a treat at any vintage rally, RREC meeting or concours d’élégance. It is offered with the import documents and a 2023 condition report.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452