1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Roi des Belges Tourer
- Colour
- Bright blue
Chassis 1175 is a 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost, one of a small number of surviving pre-1910 examples, originally ordered by Horace Trimmer of Hampshire in August 1909 and delivered in February 1910 with Barker Landaulet coachwork. After passing through several English owners and spending decades in the United States in a disassembled state, it was acquired in 2017 and subjected to a comprehensive restoration by marque specialist Steve Littin and proprietor Robin Onsoien, emerging with Roi des Belges touring coachwork inspired by the celebrated AX201. Since completion in 2021 it has accumulated multiple Best of Show awards at prominent concours events.
Ownership
- 2025-10-03Auction saleSold US$560,000
- 1910-02-01 → 1920Factory deliveryHorace Trimmerfull documentation
Director of a regional brewery with 91 pubs; ordered the car new in August 1909 with Barker Landaulet coachwork, which delayed delivery until early 1910. Also a golf club founder and racing enthusiast.
- 1920 →First English owner post-Trimmerpartial documentation
One of two English owners through whose hands the car passed between Trimmer's death and the early 1950s; body was lost during this period.
- → 2017Private saleSteve Littinpartial documentation
Proprietor of Vintage & Auto Rebuilds in Chardon, Ohio and recognised authority on early Rolls-Royce; acquired the car piecemeal in the late 1990s or early 2000s and later sought a buyer to fund a full restoration.
- 2017 → 2023-10-01Private saleRobin Onsoienpartial documentation
Proprietor of Early Motors in Nipomo, California; commissioned and oversaw the full restoration including new Roi des Belges coachwork, with Littin handling mechanical work. Restoration completed in 2021.
- 2023-10-01 →Private saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Acquired the fully restored car in October 2023 and has shown it extensively, winning multiple awards at 2024 concours events.
- Date unknownSecond English owner post-Trimmerpartial documentation
Second of two English custodians prior to the early 1950s; the car was bodyless by this point.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUnknown US owner or ownersnone documentation
Car moved to the United States sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s and remained largely out of documented circulation for over four decades before being located.
Competition
- 2022Rolls-Royce Owners Club2022 Rolls-Royce Owners Club Annual Gathering
Debut appearance following completion of restoration; held in San Diego, California.
- 2024Rolls-Royce Owners Club2024 Rolls-Royce Owners Club NationalBest Silver Ghost and Quietest Silver Ghost
Two class-level awards secured at the national gathering.
- 20242024 British InvasionBest of Show
- 20242024 British Motorcars of New EnglandBest of Show
- 20242024 St. Michael Concours d'EleganceBest of Show
Maintenance & restoration
- 2017RestorationEarly Motors / Vintage & Auto Rebuilds
Comprehensive ground-up restoration of the entire car commenced, encompassing full chassis work, fabrication of new Roi des Belges coachwork modelled on the AX201 body, and mechanical restoration including machining and sourcing of rare original components.
Coachwork and chassis work led by Robin Onsoien at Early Motors; mechanical and machine work entrusted to Steve Littin of Vintage & Auto Rebuilds, Chardon, Ohio. Completed in 2021. Period-correct fittings including Lucas King of the Road lamps, Elliot Bros. instruments, and a Tiffany clock were sourced and fitted.
- 2017ModificationEarly Motors / Vintage & Auto Rebuilds
Reversible touring upgrades were incorporated during the restoration, including an electric starter, a concealed alternator, and dual-mode lighting operable by either electricity or gas.
Modifications described as reversible and intended to facilitate regular road use without compromising the car's period character.
- —Repair
A replacement crankcase was expertly cast to substitute for the original, which had fractured. The cast unit was stamped with the original motor number 1175.
Cast by Jonathan Harley; the car currently runs this replacement crankcase.
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