1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 hp Coupé Chauffeur by Henri Binder
- Engine
- 7.4L side-valve inline-six, high-compression, 40/50 hp (taxable)
- Colour
- Light blue with black leather chauffeur compartment
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost chassis 60RE, originally delivered via the Paris depot in October 1920, is notable for its 1930 coachwork by renowned Parisian coachbuilder Henri Binder — believed to be one of only ten Silver Ghost chassis bodied by that firm. The coupé chauffeur body features exotic Thuja wood trim and period Grebel headlights, and the chassis was progressively updated by its first owner with front-wheel brakes and an Autovac fuel system. Exported to the United States in 1972, the car passed through distinguished American Rolls-Royce collectors and accumulated over 40,000 miles of touring across seven countries under subsequent ownership.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £123,200 (≈ $154K)
- 1920-10-01 →Factory deliveryMonsieur Valleepartial documentation
Acquired from the Paris Rolls-Royce service depot and registered in Paris. During his tenure the car underwent significant evolution, gaining front-wheel brakes, an updated fuel system, and a new coachbuilt body by Henri Binder in 1930.
- 1972 → 1986Acquisition unknownRoger Morrisonpartial documentation
A noted Rolls-Royce collector based in Salina, Kansas, who took ownership after the car was exported to the United States in April 1972.
- 1986 → 1998Private saleWalter Spilsburypartial documentation
Long-standing Rolls-Royce Owners' Club member who purchased the car from Morrison. An engine rebuild was carried out in 1991 by Frank Cooke's Vintage Garage during this period.
- 1998 →InheritanceTerry Spilsburypartial documentation
Son of Walter Spilsbury, himself an active Rolls-Royce enthusiast, who inherited the car and drove it extensively across multiple countries. A full body-off restoration of both the chassis and coachwork was undertaken in 2003 and 2004.
Competition
- 20032003 Alpine RallyDriver: Terry Spilsbury
The car participated as a touring entry during Terry Spilsbury's ownership.
- 20042004 Ghost to Coast TourDriver: Terry Spilsbury
A centenary trans-American journey of approximately 4,000 miles organised by the Silver Ghost Association.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1930BodyworkHenri Binder
Original limousine body replaced by a new coupé chauffeur body built by Parisian coachbuilder Henri Binder, trimmed in Thuja wood with period Grebel headlamps.
Believed to be one of only ten Silver Ghost chassis to receive a Binder body during the production era.
- 1991Engine rebuildVintage Garage (Frank Cooke)
Complete engine overhaul carried out to a high standard, including a high-compression configuration.
Work attributed to Frank Cooke, a respected American Silver Ghost specialist.
- 2003Restoration
Comprehensive body-off restoration covering both the chassis and coachwork, carried out across 2003 and 2004.
- —ModificationRolls-Royce Paris depot
Chassis updated during the original owner's tenure with front-wheel brakes and an Autovac fuel system; radiator and shutters were raised to approximate the contemporary Phantom I appearance.
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