1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer (Springfield/Merrimac coachwork)

395 XHroadUnited States

Engine: 7.5L straight-six, ~80 bhp
Colour: Polychrome blue with matching wire wheels

Chassis 395 XH is a 1923 Springfield-built Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost bodied from new with the rare Pall Mall Tourer coachwork by Massachusetts firm Merrimac — one of only 179 such bodies fitted between 1921 and 1926. Powered by the 7.5-litre straight-six, the car passed through a small number of distinguished American collectors before receiving a complete restoration by marque specialist Bob Jefferson, completed around 2004. It has covered fewer than 870 miles since that restoration and has been discreetly updated with a Gear Vendors overdrive unit.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$297,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
→ 2007-03-01Private sale
Cornelis and Mary Frances Wentges
partial documentation
Prominent collectors of early Rolls-Royce automobiles based in Naples, Florida. Following Cornelis's death in June 2006, Mary Frances sold the car in March 2007.
2007-03-01 → 2021-06-01Private sale
Naples-area enthusiast
partial documentation
A local collector in the Naples, Florida area who retained the car for roughly fourteen years in well-maintained condition.
Date unknownFactory delivery
Mrs. J.B. Miller
partial documentation
Original recipient of the car when new, based in Houston, Texas. The vehicle was delivered with Pall Mall Tourer coachwork from the outset.
Date unknown
Michigan collector
partial documentation
An unnamed collector based in Michigan who held the car by the 1980s.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
S. Prestley Blake
partial documentation
Renowned pre-war Rolls-Royce enthusiast from Somers, Connecticut, and founder of Friendly's Ice Cream. He commissioned a thorough restoration by marque specialist Bob Jefferson, completed around 2004.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2004Restoration
Bob Jefferson
Complete restoration carried out by marque specialist Bob Jefferson, commissioned by owner S. Prestley Blake; the car has covered fewer than 870 miles since the work was finished.
Restoration resulted in a polychrome blue exterior, matching wire wheels, pleated black leather interior, and fabric top.
—
Modification
A Gear Vendors overdrive unit was professionally installed to enable relaxed highway cruising, adding a modern usability upgrade without altering the car's outward appearance.
Described as a discreet update suited to long-distance touring in Silver Ghost Association, RROC, and RREC events.

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