1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Limousine (Hamshaw coachwork)
- Engine
- 7.4L L-head inline-six, 50 bhp
- Colour
- Very dark olive green with gold pinstripe detailing
Chassis 2BD is a pre-World War I Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost among the last built with the early parallel-bonnet configuration, bodied as a limousine by H.A. Hamshaw Ltd. of Leicester — reportedly one of only five they made for Rolls-Royce chassis. Delivered in 1917 to the du Pont family of Wilmington, Delaware, it later passed through the Atwater Kent family for several decades before entering the celebrated Richard J. Solove Silver Ghost Collection in America. Cosmetically and mechanically restored by British specialist David Hemmings and subsequently freshened by American expert Steve Litton, it successfully completed the Silver Ghost Association's Wholly Ghost Tour of Tasmania and Australia in 2014. Original chassis, engine, and coachwork survive intact.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$506,000
- 1917-01-30 →Private saleAlicia du Pontpartial documentation
Car was exported to the United States via a New York intermediary; reportedly King George V personally ensured fulfillment of the order during wartime. Vehicle kept in Wilmington in the care of the du Pont household.
- 1923 →Private saleArthur Atwater Kent Sr.partial documentation
Patriarch of a well-known Philadelphia manufacturing family; his son Arthur Jr. was an early antiquarian car collector and likely the motivating force behind acquiring the Silver Ghost.
- → 1980Acquisition unknownAtwater Kent familypartial documentation
The car remained with the family across multiple decades following the senior Kent's ownership, passing informally within the family before eventual sale.
- 1980 →Private saleJ. Wilkinspartial documentation
British buyer based in Kent who acquired the car from the Atwater Kent family.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryCaptain H. Whitworthpartial documentation
Original recipient of the car, based in Beverley, Yorkshire; the bespoke limousine body was constructed by Hamshaw specifically for his order.
- Date unknownPrivate saleTerry Cohnpartial documentation
Prominent British collector active at the peak of his hobby involvement; held the car for several years before selling it on.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRichard J. Solovepartial documentation
Noted Ohio lawyer and leading American Silver Ghost collector who assembled a comprehensive pre-WWI Silver Ghost collection; this car was among its centerpieces for over ten years before being sold at auction for philanthropic purposes.
Competition
- 2014-02-01Silver Ghost Association tourWholly Ghost Tour of Tasmania and AustraliaSuccessful completion
An extensive month-long touring event running from February into March 2014; significant mechanical preparation including new wire wheels and a two-speed rear axle was carried out beforehand.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationDavid Hemmings
Comprehensive cosmetic restoration and mechanical sorting carried out to a high standard by a celebrated British Silver Ghost specialist.
Described as a legendary British Silver Ghost restorer; exact date of this work is not specified beyond 'some years ago' relative to the catalogue.
- —RestorationSteve Litton
Extensive refurbishment and upgrades by an American specialist, including new button-tufted leather on the driver's seat, fitment of new wire wheels, and installation of a two-speed rear axle. Total expenditure exceeded $100,000 with receipts on file; work was undertaken to prepare the car for the 2014 Wholly Ghost Tour.
Work included both interior cosmetic renewal and mechanical upgrades; the two-speed rear end and wire wheels were new installations rather than restoration of originals.
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