1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 'Colonial' chassis formal limousine by Hooper
- Colour
- Black with maroon pinstriping
Chassis 64RB is a pre-First World War Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost on an uprated Colonial four-speed chassis, retaining its original Hooper & Company formal limousine coachwork in black with maroon coachlines — a rarity among surviving parallel-bonnet examples. Originally supplied to New York banker Mortimer L. Schiff in France, the car was commandeered by British military authorities in September 1914 and subsequently used by King George V for Western Front inspections, carrying War Office registration M.1728. It passed through several documented owners before entering its present long-term collection in 1989.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £195,500 (≈ $244K)
- → 1914-09-01Factory deliveryMortimer L Schifffull documentation
Prominent New York banker who took delivery in France, likely intending continental touring use. Correspondence in the history file confirms French delivery.
- 1914-09-01 → 1919Acquisition unknownBritish Military Authoritiesfull documentation
Vehicle was requisitioned during wartime and deployed on the Western Front, including use by King George V for inspection duties. War Office registration M.1728 documented in period photographs.
- 1919-11-12 →AuctionLt Col Donahue of Londonpartial documentation
Believed to be the successful bidder at the Ministry of Munitions disposal sale at Earls Court; recorded by automotive historian John Fasal.
- 1979 → 1979Acquisition unknownP Fontanels and A Portarellapartial documentation
Spanish owners recorded in Fasal's reference work; tenure was brief, same year as the subsequent acquisition by Alfred Essex.
- 1979 → 1989Private saleAlfred Essexfull documentation
London-based owner whose correspondence with the next buyer survives in the history file, documenting the negotiated transfer of the car.
- 1989 →Private saleLong-time early-automobile collectorfull documentation
Enthusiastic caretaker who had the car formally VCC-dated as a 1914 model and maintained a file of invoices and correspondence; car was returned to running order after a period of static display.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
The original engine was replaced at some point during the car's early history with another period-correct unit of the same type.
Described as occurring earlier in the car's life; precise date and circumstances unknown.
- —Modification
A dynamo and electric starter were added to facilitate easier operation; these are the only modifications noted in the VCC dating paperwork.
Carried out during current ownership, date unspecified.
- —InspectionVeteran Car Club
The car was formally assessed and dated by the Veteran Car Club as a 1914 model, with supporting documentation retained in the history file.
Carried out during current ownership.
- —Service
Following an extended period of static display, the car was recommissioned to running condition, though a full mechanical inspection is advised before regular road use.
Carried out during current ownership; scope of work beyond basic recommissioning is not specified.
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