1926 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER GHOST PICCADILLY ROADSTER

1926 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER GHOST PICCADILLY ROADSTER
Sold for US$ 357,500 Including Commission
Bonhams Auction, Amelia Island, FL. 2015
Coachwork by Rolls-Royce Custom Coachworks
Chassis no. S335RL
Engine no. 22355
7,428cc L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
85bhp at 2,300rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Exceptional example of the sporting Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster
*One of just 79 examples believed to have been constructed
*Ex-works development car, offered with copies of the factory build sheets
*Long periods of ownership by several Rolls-Royce experts
*2009 Amelia Island Concours award winner
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This beautifully presented Springfield Rolls-Royce is believed to be one of approximately 79 American Silver Ghosts built with the sporting Piccadilly Roadster coachwork from new. Originally manufactured in June 1926, this Silver Ghost was used for several years by the factory as a development car. Such attention ensured the Roadster was consistently fitted with the latest technical developments, and as reported by a later owner who was also a Rolls-Royce Owner's Club president, the car was factory-fitted with a number of components from the forthcoming Phantom model.
According to copies of the factory build records, chassis no. S335RL was delivered to its first private owner on December 28, 1928. It was one of the later examples in the Springfield Silver Ghost chassis sequence, and was finished just as it appears today, with the sporting and very attractive two-seat Piccadilly Roadster coachwork, and naturally, as it was a Springfield Rolls-Royce, left hand drive steering. The Piccadilly was initially purchased by A.J. Davis of the Scullin Steel Company of St. Louis, Missouri. He retained possession for nine years before the car passed to Edward M. Bergen through a title transfer by Elsie Green. A year later, in March 1938, Bergen traded the car back for a new Springfield Phantom, chassis no. 132 PM.
Acquired in October 1951 by John B. Davis of Florissant, Missouri, the Rolls-Royce was then sold in 1953 to Carroll Vail, president of the St. Louis Rolls-Royce Owner's Club. Mr. Vail kept the fine Piccadilly Roadster for nearly two decades before selling it in July 1972 to Conrad Karras of Great Notch, New Jersey, who is known to have toured with the car.
Returning to the vintage market in 1986, the car was acquired a year later by William 'Bill' Ruger, namesake of the famed firearms manufacturer. The Silver Ghost remained in the possession of Ruger's estate for fifteen years, until his collection manager, Lyle Patterson, purchased the car for himself. A complete restoration was entrusted to Frank Cooke's Vintage Garage, during which the engine was refurbished with two new cylinder blocks. The brakes, kingpins, front axle, and gearbox were also disassembled and refurbished. In its subsequent finely restored condition, the car was campaigned by Patterson on the 2003 European Alpine Tour.
In 2006, modern touring conveniences were added with the tasteful integration of overdrive and a new stainless steel exhaust system. The front seats were also reupholstered in black leather, and the paintwork was refinished with a period-correct scheme of French gray with black fenders. The strength of this work was reflected in the Roadster's presentation at the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where the car drew an award from Automobile magazine.
Regularly maintained and recently serviced, this charming Piccadilly Roadster is accompanied by a complete toolkit, original manuals, copies of the factory build record cards as well as side curtains. It is a particularly striking example of the high-scuttle Rolls variations crafted in America, and is sure to be welcomed at touring events and regional Concours d'Elegance. The car would complement any collection, from gatherings of Rolls-Royce and prewar American classics to the most diverse arrays of sporting roadsters
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Robert Myrick Photography