1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost 'The Silver Fairy' (short chassis, Barker Roi des Belges body)
- Colour
- Cream with grey coachlines
The 'Silver Fairy' is a 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost built on the shorter 134½-inch wheelbase chassis, originally delivered to botanist and photographer John Henry Thomas, who named it and kept it for over 300,000 miles before trading it in 1924. After decades in British ownership, it was imported to the United States in the late 1950s by Cleveland enthusiast Joe Loecy, who restored it with a replica Barker Roi des Belges body. The car later received a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment by noted Silver Ghost specialist Steve Littin, and was awarded Best in Class at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,000,000 – US$1,250,000
- —Auction saleSold US$885,000
- 1909-08-04 → 1924Factory deliveryJohn Henry Thomaspartial documentation
Thomas was a botanist and photographer who named the car. It was rebodied with a new Barker Roi des Belges style body in 1911, and after accumulating over 300,000 miles he traded it against a newer Silver Ghost.
- → 1958-11-01Acquisition unknownMajor C.G. Cardewpartial documentation
Garage operator based in Harrogate who held the car prior to its export to the United States.
- 1958-11-01 →Private saleJoe Loecypartial documentation
Cleveland, Ohio-based Rolls-Royce enthusiast who imported the car and undertook a restoration fitting a replica of the original coachwork. The car remained with the Loecy family for more than four decades after his purchase.
- → 2004InheritanceLoecy familypartial documentation
Car remained under family stewardship following Joe Loecy's tenure, during which it won a class award at the 2002 RROC National Meet.
- 2004 →Private saleCurrent collector ownerpartial documentation
Owner holds a significant collection of Silver Ghosts and commissioned a thorough mechanical and cosmetic restoration by specialist Steve Littin. The car was subsequently awarded Best in Class at Pebble Beach in 2007.
Competition
- 2002Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Meet2002 Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Meet1st in Class
Achieved during the Loecy family's ownership period.
- 20072007 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Entered following restoration work carried out by marque specialist Steve Littin under the current owner's direction.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1911Bodywork
The original coachwork was replaced with a new body while the car remained with its first owner; an air-pressure fuel delivery system was also installed by the factory at this time.
The factory-fitted fuel delivery system installed in 1911 was still present at the time of cataloguing.
- 1958Restoration
Joe Loecy undertook a restoration of the car after importing it, including fabrication of a duplicate Barker Roi des Belges body to replicate the original coachwork.
- —RestorationVintage & Auto Rebuilds
Marque specialist Steve Littin performed a comprehensive mechanical freshening — reportedly the first time the car had been fully stripped mechanically — and a full cosmetic refurbishment. All original mechanical components were confirmed present. Refinishing included cream paintwork with grey coachlines, charcoal grey leather upholstery, polished woodwork, and black canvas hood. Correct period fittings were fitted or retained throughout.
Littin also fitted an electric starter and converted the car to a 12-volt electrical system at the current owner's request. He described the car's mechanical condition as excellent, consistent over at least the preceding decade.
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