1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost "London-Edinburgh" Tourer
Chassis 2583 is a 1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost built to the rare 'London-Edinburgh' specification — one of only 188 produced — featuring the desirable colonial four-speed gearbox, enlarged fuel tank and radiator, and high-compression engine. Completed at the Derby factory in August 1913, it saw military service in World War One and was subsequently sold in Australia, where it passed through a remarkable series of owners including a noted Ghost collector, Faris Palfreyman, who fitted surviving 1913 Peel's Limited coachwork originally built for a Sunbeam. A comprehensive body-off restoration was undertaken in the early 2000s.
Ownership
- 2021-10-01Auction saleEstimate US$1,450,000 – US$1,850,000
- 1925 →Acquisition unknownDr. Marcus A. Alexanderpartial documentation
A physician who acquired the car after it was shipped to Sydney, Australia; had a touring body fitted by Properts Motor Body Works.
- 1927 →Acquisition unknownAustralian owner, identity unknown (first post-Alexander owner)none documentation
One of two known owners in Sydney following Dr. Alexander; details beyond existence are not recorded.
- → 1994Acquisition unknownFaris Palfreymanpartial documentation
Prominent Australian Silver Ghost enthusiast who at his peak held 26 examples; had the current 1913-era Peel's Limited coachwork fitted, believed around 1964, originally sourced from a 6-litre Sunbeam.
- 1994 →InheritancePalfreyman's grandsonpartial documentation
Inherited the car following Faris Palfreyman's death and subsequently sold it on.
- → 2001Private salePhysician in Victoria, Australiapartial documentation
Medical professional who purchased the car from Palfreyman's grandson; held it until 2001.
- 2001 →Private saleAustralian collector (identity unstated)partial documentation
Noted Australian collector who commissioned an extensive body-off restoration, entrusting engine work to Melbourne specialist Robert McDermott and coachwork to Jeff Edwards at Artisan Coachworks.
- Date unknownAuctionC.B. Gardenerpartial documentation
Acquired at a Ministry of Munitions disposal auction following the end of WWI, paying £1,880. Based in Chester.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAustralian owner, identity unknown (second post-Alexander owner)none documentation
Second of two known intermediate Sydney owners before the car entered commercial use as a tow truck.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSydney towing servicenone documentation
Commercial operator in Sydney that used the car as a working tow truck.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWood Coffill Ltdpartial documentation
Sydney-based funeral directors who owned the car at some point after its use as a tow truck.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1914Modification
Original Connaught torpedo tourer coachwork removed during military requisition and replaced with utilitarian brake bodywork to suit military support duties.
Carried out under War Office auspices; exact date within the war period unknown.
- 1925BodyworkProperts Motor Body Works
New open tourer coachwork constructed and fitted by Properts Motor Body Works in Sydney following the car's arrival in Australia.
Commissioned by owner Dr. Marcus A. Alexander.
- 1964BodyworkPeel's Limited
Period 1913 sporting open coachwork, originally manufactured by Peel's Limited for a 6-litre Sunbeam, was transferred to and fitted on chassis 2583 during Palfreyman's ownership.
Date is approximate based on stated belief; Peel's Limited was a well-regarded Australian coachbuilder.
- 2001RestorationRobert McDermott (engine); Jeff Edwards at Artisan Coachworks (body)
Comprehensive body-off restoration undertaken: the engine was overhauled by Melbourne-based Silver Ghost specialists, while the coachwork was restored by a dedicated artisan workshop including replacement of deteriorated timber framing and fitting of a new windscreen. Panel work also addressed.
Commissioned by the noted Australian collector who acquired the car in 2001.
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