1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost open drive limousine by Grosvenor
Chassis 1524, a 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost known as 'The Dreamer,' was originally ordered with a Hooper limousine body intended for royal use before being reassigned to South Australian businessman Charles H. Angas, who commissioned a striking open drive limousine from coachbuilder Grosvenor. After decades of neglect — including use as station hackney and eventual incorporation into fencing at a refuse facility — the car was rescued, restored, and progressively returned to its original Grosvenor specification over several subsequent ownerships.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$280,000
- 1912 →Factory deliveryC.H. Angasfull documentation
Original customer; took delivery after Rolls-Royce made extensive bespoke modifications to the chassis and fitted a custom Grosvenor open drive limousine body. Car was factory-reconditioned at his request in 1924. Published photograph in Motor Age dated November 1912 confirms the car's form at delivery.
- → 1963Private saleGavin Sandford-Morganpartial documentation
Purchased the car from Colin Angas before selling it on to Charles Wright in 1963.
- 1963 → 2001Private saleCharles Wrightfull documentation
Adelaide-based Silver Ghost specialist and historian who undertook a lengthy restoration to original mechanical specification, though with bodywork of more restrained styling than the original Grosvenor design. Held the car for nearly four decades.
- 2001 → 2012Private saleMalcolm Jonesfull documentation
Carried out further authenticity enhancements including reworking the coachwork back to the original Grosvenor design, repositioning the spare wheel, fitting period-correct headlamps, and reacquiring the original bronze radiator mascot from the Angas family.
- 2012 →Private saleCurrent collectionfull documentation
Continued restoration improvements and regular maintenance; commissioned a formal mechanical examination confirming the car retains believed-original mechanical components apart from a correct period replacement gearbox.
- Date unknownKoomooloo railroad station operator or occupantnone documentation
By the late 1930s the car had arrived at a railroad station in Koomooloo fitted with an open utility body and used as a workhorse vehicle.
- Date unknownKoomooloo refuse facilitynone documentation
By the early 1950s the chassis had been repurposed as part of a fence at a local waste facility, its condition severely deteriorated.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobert Murraypartial documentation
Rescued the chassis from the refuse site and conveyed it to the original owner's grandson as a goodwill gesture rather than a commercial transaction.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownColin Angaspartial documentation
Grandson of the original owner; received the car from Murray but quickly sold it, reportedly valuing little beyond the set of usable tires on the vehicle.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1924RestorationRolls-Royce factory
Comprehensive factory reconditioning carried out on behalf of the original owner, Charles H. Angas.
- 1963Restoration
Multi-year restoration to original mechanical specification undertaken by Charles Wright, though with coachwork of a more conservative design rather than a faithful replica of the original Grosvenor body.
Restoration invoices are preserved in the car's history file.
- 2001Restoration
Further authenticity and cosmetic improvements carried out, including extensive reworking of the coachwork to replicate the original Grosvenor open drive limousine design, repositioning of the spare wheel, and fitment of Lucas self-generating headlamps.
The original bronze radiator mascot was reportedly sourced back from the Angas family during this phase of work.
- 2012Restoration
Additional restoration refinements completed by the acquiring collection, alongside ongoing mechanical maintenance to keep the car in sound running order.
A formal inspection confirming the retention of believed-original mechanical components is part of the documented file.
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