Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX Registration No: R 1130Chassis No: 2297MOT: Exempt Originally supplied via the Berliet Motor Co of Sackville Street, Mayfair to Hon Lady Miller Chassis specified new to Colonial specification, and one of c. 18 survivors with formal Landaulette coachwork by Barker A wonderfully original example, subject to its most recent restoration during the 1980s yet oozing period charm Maintained regardless of expense, with recent works including the fitment of a new radiator and works to the trembler coil Fitted with electric starting and well-disguised indicators for modern usage The 40/ 50hp was the model upon which Rolls-Royce’s reputation as manufacturers of ‘The Best Car in the World’ was founded, and it made its debut at the November 1906 London Motor Show. A conventional but beautifully executed design, the newcomer was based around a massive ladder-frame chassis equipped with leaf-spring suspension all-round, powerful rear wheel brakes and spiral-bevel final drive. Displacing 7036cc (7428cc from 1910), its six-cylinder engine featured a seven-bearing crankshaft, full pressure lubrication and 12 spark plugs (fed via a dual magneto / coil ignition system). This wonderfully torquey yet eerily quiet side-valve unit initially drove through a three-speed gearbox, but a further forward ratio was added from 1913 as a result of the famous London to Edinburgh trials, which demonstrated the 40/ 50hp’s sporting abilities. With a shrewd eye for publicity, Managing Director Claude Johnson had the company demonstrator ‘AX 201’ (the car that inspired the now legendary Silver Ghost moniker on account of its striking livery and silver-plated fittings) take part in both the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial and an RAC scrutinised 15, 000 mile endurance run immediately afterwards. Though made to journey between London and Glasgow no less than 27 times as part of the latter ordeal, a thorough post-event examination revealed the car had suffered no appreciable wear to its engine, gearbox, rear axle or brakes. Born into one of Great Britain’s grandest aristocratic families, the Honourable Eveline Mary Curzon grew up at Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. Marrying the fabulously wealthy businessman and racehorse owner Sir James Percy Miller Bart DSO in 1893, the couple were renowned for the society gatherings they held at their Grosvenor Square, Belgravia and Duns, Berwickshire properties. The latter, Manderston House, was comprehensively remodelled such that it has long been feted as among the greatest stately homes of the Edwardian era (complete with a ‘Silver Staircase’). Widowed at a young age, the Hon Lady Miller continued to divide her time between London and Scotland with invitations to her lavish receptions and balls being highly coveted. If any Edwardian motorcar could make light work of her ‘commute’, it was the Rolls-Royce 40/ 50hp Silver Ghost. Little wonder then that she ordered chassis 2297 via Messrs Berliet Motors of Sackville St, London W1. Bodied by the pre-eminent firm Barker as an Open-Drive Landaulette complete with a sumptuous interior and commodious roof rack, the car doubtless made use of its reinforced ‘Colonial’ specification chassis on the c. 400-mile run between the two countries. Passing from one grande dame to another, the Rolls-Royce’s second owner was Mrs Amelia Frances Gandar Dower of 30 Collingham Gardens, Kensington (later the Embassy of Qatar). Surviving World War Two, the Silver Ghost migrated north again ending up with the SMT Garage, Carlisle. Painted Green and re-registered as ‘HCA 779’, the Laundelette was bought by A. J. Barton Esq of the nearby Hadrian’s Camp military base in August 1951 for a modest £120. Changing hands the following year for £225, chassis 2297 belonged to Ken Rosewell Esq who is thought to have been custodian when its 1953 Coronation Rally plaque was received. During October 1955 the vehicle – now re-registered ‘R 2121’ – was in the stewardship of J. A. G. Burchell Esq of Chigwell, Essex who repainted the coachwork in Dark Blue with Yellow coachlines. In 1987 the Silver Ghost was acquired by Frank Cholerton of Derby, who carried out a fine restoration, repainting the car in its present Burgundy with Black wings and re-registering it with the current number ‘R 1130’, an appropriately early Derby plate. The penultimate keeper bought the Rolls-Royce in 1990. Taken off the road during 1993, the Silver Ghost was kept in dehumidified storage – on axle stands – and regularly run and maintained. Sold via Bonhams in December 2010 for £419, 500, chassis 2297 was despatched to noted marque specialist A. J. Glew for the fitment of an electric starter and other fettling. Sparingly used by the seller – though a notable highlight was the Landaulette’s...
