Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 120th anniversary

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is commemorating the 120th anniversary of the 40/50 H.P. model, famously known as the Silver Ghost. Originally unveiled at the London Olympia Motor Show in November 1906, the model established the brand’s reputation for engineering precision, reliability, and quiet operation through its smooth six-cylinder engine.

The name “Silver Ghost” originated from chassis number 60551, which featured silver paint and silver-plated trim. The model gained fame through endurance tests, such as the London to Edinburgh run. Notably, chassis number 1701, nicknamed “The Sluggard,” completed the London to Edinburgh route in 1911 with its gearbox fixed in top gear, breaking speed and fuel efficiency records.

The Silver Ghost also holds historical significance as the first model to feature the “Spirit of Ecstasy” mascot, introduced in 1911. The vehicle was used by notable figures like Winston Churchill and by the British government for official state visits to India. Between 1906 and 1925, thousands of these vehicles were produced in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In a related display of automotive history, the 1904 Rolls-Royce 10 HP, the oldest known surviving model from the partnership of Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce, was featured at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it received the “First in Class” award for the Antique class.