1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost
A massive side-valve inline-six engine provided the foundation for what many considered the finest automobile of its time.
The model earned its “Silver Ghost” nickname in 1907 when chassis number 60551 appeared at the London Motor Show wearing silver-painted open tourer bodywork by Barker. The name stuck, and Rolls-Royce soon made the strategic decision to discontinue all other models and focus exclusively on the 40/50hp.
The 429-cubic-inch (7.0 L) powerplant was soon enlarged to 453 cubic inches (7.4 L). It featured a seven-bearing crankshaft and a pressure-fed lubrication system, delivering exceptional reliability and refinement that would define luxury motoring for decades.
Built on a sturdy chassis with channel-section side members and tubular cross bracing, the car initially used semi-elliptic springs at the front and a platform leaf-spring arrangement at the rear.
The original four-speed transmission with overdrive top gear was replaced in 1909 by a more conventional three-speed unit with direct-drive top gear, before a new four-speed gearbox was reintroduced in 1913.
Production spanned nearly 20 years with continuous improvements, including the adoption of servo-assisted four-wheel brakes in late 1923. The model’s reputation was cemented after completing the grueling 15,000-mile Scottish Reliability Trial and other endurance runs, establishing new benchmarks for dependability and proving the car’s unmatched durability under demanding conditions.
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