- An overview of the Rolls-Royce 40/50 H.P. – famously known as the ‘Silver Ghost’ – introduced in 1906
- The exceptional performances in early 20th-century motor trials solidified Rolls-Royce’s reputation for manufacturing ‘the finest car in the world’
- Part two of a series commemorating a significant model from each decade of the brand’s history, spanning from its inception in the 1900s to the present Goodwood era
- The chosen vehicles symbolize notable advancements in design, construction, engineering, and technology that continue to impact the brand’s offerings today
“Among all the iconic names associated with Rolls-Royce cars since 1904, few have attained the same level of recognition, importance, nostalgia, and lasting appeal as the ‘Silver Ghost’. Introduced in 1906 under the name 40/50 H.P., this model was the first to earn the title of ‘the best car in the world’, a distinction Rolls-Royce still holds till date. It set unparalleled benchmarks for performance and dependability, demonstrated through the challenging road trials of that era. The Silver Ghost also achieved remarkable commercial success, with nearly 8,000 units produced in the UK and US over an 18-year period – a remarkable lifespan rarely seen in modern times. The fact that numerous Silver Ghosts are still operational today, accomplishing the same feats from over a century ago, serves as a lasting tribute to Henry Royce’s engineering brilliance.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage,
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
By 1906, a mere three years after establishment, Rolls-Royce was facing the consequences of its own triumphs. The demand for its vehicles had grown significantly, leading to a diverse lineup ranging from the original twin-cylinder 10 H.P. to the six-cylinder 30 H.P. models. Henry Royce even developed the first-ever V8 passenger car, named the ‘Legalimit’, restricted to stay under the 20mph speed limit then enforced in Britain – only three units were ever produced, making it the sole Rolls-Royce model with no surviving examples. This expansion of models mirrored a trend across the luxury car industry as rival manufacturers pursued an increasingly segmented customer base.
However, this diversification posed challenges in manufacturing for Rolls-Royce, as many parts were not interchangeable among models. Henry Royce’s commitment to constant enhancement led to unique variations and differences even within production series, resulting in minimal identical units.
Recognizing the need for change, Managing Director Claude Johnson put forth the idea of focusing on a single model to streamline operations. This proposal, supported by Charles Rolls, aimed to position the model at the premium end of the market, where Rolls-Royce had already established a reputation for excellence.
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A pragmatist at heart, Royce understood the rationale behind his colleagues’ one-model approach and unveiled a completely new vehicle, the 40/50 H.P.
Similar to other Rolls-Royce models of that era – and up to the 1950s – the 40/50 H.P. featured a chassis on which the customer could customize bodywork from an external coachbuilder. At its core was a groundbreaking six-cylinder, 7036cc engine (later increased to 7428cc in 1910). Royce’s innovative design divided the engine into two sets of three cylinders each, along with a harmonic vibration damper on the crankshaft, a feature still utilized by current manufacturers, effectively eliminating vibration issues typical in six-cylinder engines of that time.
While this technological achievement alone would have distinguished the 40/50 H.P. as a historically significant car, it was Claude Johnson’s marketing brilliance that ensured its enduring legacy.
Upon its launch, new vehicles were taxed based on their horsepower, with higher-value cars attracting greater duties. To standardize these tax assessments, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) developed the ‘tax horsepower rating’. This rating, derived from a complex formula based on three engine measurements, granted the Rolls-Royce a 40 horsepower tax rating, though it actually produced 50 horsepower. Hence, the model was named ’40/50 H.P.’ to inform customers about both the expected power and duty costs.
While Royce may have found satisfaction in this functional nomenclature, Claude Johnson believed it lacked the distinction, charm, and allure fitting for the superior motor car envisioned by Charles Rolls.
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Consequently, approximately 50 initial vehicles were given grand names, either by Johnson or their proud owners. Johnson famously christened the twelfth chassis, number 60551, as the ‘Silver Ghost’, honoring its remarkable quietness and smooth ride. Painted in silver and adorned with silver-plated embellishments, this vehicle was showcased by Rolls-Royce at motor exhibitions, solidifying the ‘Silver Ghost’ moniker by which the 40/50 H.P. is recognized today.
However, chassis 60551 was more than a showpiece. It excelled in demanding reliability trials, a crucial aspect of Johnson’s promotional strategy that epitomized the pinnacle of automotive achievement at the time. It played a pivotal role in establishing Rolls-Royce’s global standing for performance and engineering excellence.
Its extraordinary achievements began with the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial, covering 2,000 miles without a single malfunction, pausing only briefly to reopen a fuel tap. Subsequently, it completed a non-stop run of 15,000 miles, setting a new record for uninterrupted travel.
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In 1911, fueled by their pursuit of perfection and Johnson’s quest for publicity, Royce introduced a new iteration of the Silver Ghost. Dubbed the ‘London to Edinburgh’ type, it was tailored for the RAC’s grueling reliability trial, an almost 800-mile round trip between the two cities, traversing largely rough A- and B-roads in the absence of modern highways, with cars restricted to top gear throughout the challenge.
Chassis number 1701 emerged victorious, achieving an average speed of 19.59mph and an exceptional fuel efficiency of over 24 mpg. To demonstrate its unaltered state, it reached 78.2mph on a half-mile speed test post-Trial. Later that year, equipped with a sleek lightweight body, it surpassed 101.8mph at Surrey’s legendary Brooklands circuit, becoming the first Rolls-Royce to breach the 100mph mark.
Arguably, the 40/50 H.P.’s greatest sporting achievements transpired in 1913. A ‘works team’ of three Silver Ghosts, alongside a privately entered vehicle, all meticulously prepared for high-speed endurance motoring, secured top positions in that year’s Alpine Trial held in Austria. Subsequent customer demand for a high-performance Silver Ghost led to the release of the production model inspired by the competition cars, popularly known as ‘Alpine Eagles’. The Continental model derived from the Alpine Eagles triumphed in a significant victory at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix, driven by Rolls-Royce’s newly appointed agent for Spain, Don Carlos de Salamanca. His win by a three-minute margin marked Rolls-Royce’s entry into the Spanish market historically dominated by French brands.
These flawless performances, coupled with the quietness and smooth operation embodied in its name, solidified the Silver Ghost’s status as ‘the best car in the world’. It proved to be a substantial commercial hit for Rolls-Royce, with 6,173 units manufactured in Britain and an additional 1,703 produced at their American facility in Massachusetts, spanning from 1907 to 1925.
Thanks to the considerable production volume over an extended timeline, the Silver Ghost boasts one of the largest surviving populations among early Rolls-Royce models. This enduring presence testifies to Royce’s engineering prowess and the brand’s commitment to quality. Remarkably, some units retain their original capabilities, matching the performances achieved at their inception. In 2013, 47 Silver Ghosts, including one from the original team, retraced the 1,800-mile route of the 1913 Alpenfahrt, while in 2021, chassis 1701 replicated its record-setting London-Edinburgh journey; operating in top gear, just as it did 110 years earlier.