1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Open-Drive Limousine (coachwork by Barker)
- Colour
- Burgundy
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost chassis 25EB is a 1914 open-drive limousine bodied by Barker of London, featuring distinctive curved coachwork and delivered new to British owner D.E. Cameron Rose before passing to New York socialite Helen Brice, daughter of railroad and banking magnate Calvin S. Brice. After nearly two decades of regular use, the car entered the collection of The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, where it remained on public display until 1971. Following subsequent private ownership, it received its first and only comprehensive restoration between 2004 and 2005 at the hands of specialist Steve Littin, preserving much of its original fabric and mechanical integrity.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$577,500
- —Auction saleSold US$665,000
- 1914-05-28 →Factory deliveryD.E. Cameron Rosefull documentation
Original British owner; took delivery after coachwork was completed by Barker of London. Car was registered in the UK as LL 4138.
- → 1934Private saleHelen Bricepartial documentation
Daughter of financier Calvin S. Brice; resided at 3 East 80th Street, New York City. Used the car regularly until deciding to trade it in for a newer vehicle in early 1934.
- 1934 → 1934Private saleBroadway dealership at 1710 Broadwaypartial documentation
Car was traded in against a 1932 Lincoln; dealership held it briefly before it was forwarded to Michigan following correspondence initiated by Helen Brice's chauffeur.
- 1934 → 1971Private saleThe Henry Ford (Edison Institute)full documentation
Museum acquired the car on Henry Ford's instruction after a letter from chauffeur Francis Cox; displayed publicly for several decades before deaccessioning.
- 1971 → 1992-05-01AuctionBernard Paul Moserpartial documentation
Noted collector from Solvang, California; retained the car until his death. At time of subsequent sale the original front seat leather and much of the rear broadcloth trim were still present.
- 1993 →Private saleChris Lambertpartial documentation
Acquired the car the year after Moser's death; car still retained original body finish in green and black varnish at this stage.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobert W. Schuettepartial documentation
US Rolls-Royce distributor and American Barker agent who imported the car to New York; held it briefly before selling on.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDeNean Stafford IIIpartial documentation
Subsequent owner in the chain between Lambert and Proctor; no dates or acquisition details recorded.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJonathan Proctorpartial documentation
British enthusiast during whose ownership the coachwork was refinished in Burgundy; sold the car back to a US buyer.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRichard Solovepartial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Steve Littin's Vintage and Auto Rebuilds in Chardon, Ohio, carried out between 2004 and 2005; described as deceased at time of catalogue writing.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1914BodyworkBarker
Open-drive limousine coachwork designed and fitted by Barker of London prior to delivery, including curved carriage-style moldings and a sliding division window.
Carried out between the chassis being recorded as 'on test' on 28 January 1914 and delivery to the first owner on 28 May 1914.
- 2004RestorationVintage and Auto Rebuilds
First and only comprehensive restoration of the car, encompassing a full body refinish in cream, correct new rear seat upholstery, reversal of the roof modification using period-correct catches and hinges, and light engine detailing. Structural woodwork was found largely sound and original spoke wheels and inlaid interior wood panels were retained.
Work carried out between 2004 and 2005 by Steve Littin of Chardon, Ohio; landaulette hardware sourced from early Rolls-Royce specialist John Faisal. Commissioned by Richard Solove.
- —Modification
The folding-top landaulette rear quarters were removed by a previous owner, altering the original roof configuration.
This modification was subsequently reversed during the 2004–2005 restoration.
- —Bodywork
Body refinished in Burgundy during Jonathan Proctor's ownership.
- —Service
Routine professional mechanical servicing and light sorting carried out during the current ownership period.
Receipts for this work are included in the car's documentation file.
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