1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster
Springfield-built Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis S272PL, is among the final examples completed at the Massachusetts factory, originally bodied by Willoughby as a Tillbury Sedan and delivered in August 1926. Its history includes a pickup conversion by an early owner and a subsequent Packard Roadster body before a multi-year, concours-grade restoration completed in 2016 produced a hand-built Piccadilly Roadster replica body. The car retains its numbers-matching engine and was invited to display at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$308,000
- 1926-08-13 → 1936Factory deliveryWilliam J. Upsonfull documentation
Hotelier based in Bethel, Maine; took delivery of the car with Willoughby Tillbury Sedan coachwork. Ownership ended at his death in 1936.
- 1936 →Acquisition unknownConnecticut residentpartial documentation
Removed the rear portion of the original sedan bodywork and reconfigured the car into a pickup-style vehicle.
- 1957 → 1957Acquisition unknownFred Kellypartial documentation
Described as a Springfield Rolls-Royce enthusiast; discovered and acquired the car in its modified pickup form during winter, then quickly sold it on.
- 1957 →Private salePaul Rizzopartial documentation
Regarded as an authority on Silver Ghosts; fitted a Packard Roadster body to the chassis during his ownership.
- 1969 → 1971Acquisition unknownArthur Rippeypartial documentation
Denver, Colorado-based collector who held the car within his Veteran Car Museum.
- 1971 → 1986Acquisition unknownRobert Kelcepartial documentation
Based in Englewood, Colorado; believed to have acquired the car around 1971, though this transfer is not fully confirmed.
- 1986 →Private saleNorm Buckhartpartial documentation
Sonoma, California owner who kept the car for roughly three decades and commissioned a multi-year concours-grade restoration beginning in 2009, including a new Piccadilly replica body and mechanical upgrades.
Competition
- 20162016 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceInvited for display
Following completion of the restoration, the car was invited to appear at the prestigious annual California concours, reflecting the high caliber of the restoration work.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1957Bodywork
The pickup-configured chassis was fitted with a Packard Roadster body by Paul Rizzo after he acquired the car.
- 2009RestorationFred Buess
A comprehensive multi-year concours-level restoration was initiated under marque expert Fred Buess, during which a period-correct hand-built Piccadilly Roadster replica body was crafted by Doug Chalmers and Bill Gathings. A Gearvendors overdrive unit and new lightweight forged pistons were also installed to support continued touring use.
Restoration was completed by fellow Springfield specialist Robin Onsoien in early 2016.
- 2016RestorationRobin Onsoien
Final completion of the multi-year restoration was carried out by Robin Onsoien early in the year.
Represents the concluding phase of work begun under Fred Buess in 2009.
- —Modification
The original Tillbury Sedan body's rear section was removed by a Connecticut owner, reconfiguring the car in a pickup-truck style.
Carried out at an unknown date following the first owner's death in 1936.
- —Engine rebuild
The original numbers-matching engine was rebuilt by specialist Eric Rosenow during Norm Buckhart's period of ownership.
Rosenow is identified by name; work occurred prior to the broader 2009 restoration project.
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