1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 Sedan

Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Chassis No: S287PK
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

A Springfield Silver Ghost, chassis number S-287-PK was delivered on 12th March 1925 to Mrs S. J. Harris of 2304 Grand View Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. The car initially carried a Sudbury Sedan style body by 'Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work'. The next recorded owner was S. G. Sipple of Lorain, Ohio who, having bought the car in 1956, sold it two years later to Leonard Kirtz of Sandusky, Ohio. Thereafter the Springfield Silver Ghost passed to the renowned Rolls-Royce aficionado Frank Cooke of 'The Vintage Garage' fame. Frank kept the car from 1970 until 2006, although it was housed at the Rolls-Royce Owners Club Foundation in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania between 1985 and 1993. The last American custodian was another well known Rolls-Royce collector, William Stroman of San Angelo, Texas. The car was purchased from the executors of William Stroman's estate by an English enthusiast, who offers it for sale here today.

The late Frank Cooke was well known in Rolls-Royce circles as a collector, restorer and manufacturer of components for pre-WW2 cars. He bought S-287-PK as a rolling chassis, which he fitted with a Perspex bonnet and wooden bench seat. Thus clothed, the car was driven to shows and for demonstration purposes at seminars and exhibitions. It was also used to demonstrate various mechanical components that 'The Vintage Garage' fabricated to enhance the Silver Ghost driving experience and touring capabilities in modern conditions. The car is still fitted with a carburettor air-intake filter, full-flow oil filter, front disc-brakes and a Mitchell overdrive system.

During its time in Texas, S-287-PK was fitted with an earlier body, manufactured by Locke & Co of New York. This c.1920 body may have originally been commissioned for a 1912 Rolls-Royce, chassis number 2103, a photograph of which appears on page twenty-two of John Webb de Campi's book 'Rolls-Royce in America'.

Locke & Co were considered to be coachbuilders of the highest quality, creating their own designs at their Manhattan factory, and additional works in Rochester N.Y. Justin Locke started the company in 1903, initially using independent designers such as Frank de Causse, Paul Ostruk and LeBaron Carrossiers. In 1924, Rudolph Creteur became chief draftsman. Bodies were supplied to many of the leading American car makers, and a few were sold under the 'Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work' brand.

S-287-PK is one of only twenty-eight Silver Ghosts to be graced with Locke & Co coachwork, and illustrates the quality of that company's craftsmanship by the door-fit and the truly 'Victorian railway-carriage clunk' as the doors swing shut. The interior is original, with cloth to the rear compartment and leather to the front. The exterior features beautifully varnished wood down to the waist-line, with the lower body newly painted in Royal Claret. This combination is enhanced by Masons Black painted wings.

S-287-PK has not been on the road in recent years. Although it starts easily and runs with good oil pressure, the owner advises a purchaser to undertake a thorough re-commissioning check prior to any serious use.