Two Rare Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts Up for Auction

Bonhams announced today that its upcoming Goodwood Revival auction on September 16th will witness the sale of two very special consignments: a pair of restored Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, both formerly in the famed collection of Richard Solove of Ohio, at their annual Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia auction at the Goodwood Revival Meeting on 16th September 2011.

The first Silver Ghost has been attributed as a 1908 example, which makes it one of only a four surviving examples from that year's production.

The car in question was restored in the 1990s by an Irish enthusiast and wears magnificent open touring coachwork with three rows of seats, built by noted French coachbuilder Labourdette. It was used by the Works at Brooklands as a test vehicle in advance of the International Touring Car Trial and has a pre-sale estimate of £325,000-425,000.

The second is a magnificent Maharajah's Ceremonial Car from 1911. Of all the buyers of the model, the Indian princes were among the most numerous in their acquisitions of Silver Ghosts. They prized the quality of the Rolls-Royce and its ability to withstand the difficult road conditions in their country. This car was delivered new to the Maharajah of Mysore and is estimated to fetch £300,000-400,000.

The two Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts will join the ex-Sir Robert Ropner 'Semi-Lightweight' E-Type and the ex-Briggs Cunningham Team 1958 Lister-Jaguar 'Knobbly' sports-racing car at the Goodwood Revival auction.