1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer
Open-bodied Silver Ghosts from the Springfield, Massachusetts factory were relatively uncommon as most American-built cars left the plant in closed, formal coachwork.
The Pall Mall tourer, executed by Merrimac of Massachusetts under the “Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work” label, offered something different: a visually lighter, less ceremonial interpretation of the Silver Ghost aimed at owner-operators rather than chauffeur-driven clientele.
The design is angular and upright at the front, softening into a rounder cabin where the rear seating sits slightly elevated above the driving position on a raised floor. When stowed, the all-weather canopy folds accordion-style against the rear bulkhead, its polished ribs left exposed between the fabric folds.
The Silver Ghost chassis is already a tall one, and Merrimac’s proportions for this body make the completed car appear taller still.
Springfield cars were frequently specified with American-sourced components, including Bosch magnetos, Bijur generators and starters, and wire wheels. Power came from the 7.5-liter straight-six, producing 80 hp by 1923. Just 179 Springfield Silver Ghosts were fitted with this body between 1921 and 1926.
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