For Sale £270,000
Very rarely do such outstanding and attractive formal bodied cars come to market. This Silver Ghost carries beautifully detailed Brougham de Ville coachwork in the style of Kellner. Typically, Silver Ghosts carried English built coachwork, which tended to be more conservative and traditional in style, and usually wider and heavier in appearance. In comparison, this stylish Brougham de Ville by Parisian coach-builder Kellner has a more sporting and elegant appearance. It has long and light looking wings, its handbrake lever is mounted on the outside (a signature for narrower bodies), and the roof terminates to a ‘razor edge’. The car would look quite at home driving down the Champs-Élysées!
Chassis number 8TE was built as a standard chassis, with nickel fittings and ‘B’ rake steering to carry an enclosed drive limousine by Barker. It was supplied new to R. McAlpine of Felcourt, East Grinstead, with factory records listing four further owners to 1937.
In 1993, 8TE was acquired by master coachbuilder and Silver Ghost collector Colin Laybourn. By this point, 8TE carried Omnibus 10-seat coachwork, presumed to have been converted before the war, retaining its original wings and the chassis in unrestored condition. Colin had become close friends with Laurie and Peggy Dalton, author and publisher of the highly acclaimed Dalton Watson publishing company whose series of books on coachwork have been a stand out point of reference for Rolls-Royce restorers and enthusiasts. It was in fact the cover image of ‘Coachwork on Rolls-Royces’ which provided Colin with the inspiration to recreate the Kellner Brougham de Ville coachwork fitted today. Both he and Laurie considered this coachwork to be the epitome of elegance among pre-war cars.
8TE’s restoration spanned fifteen years. The running gear and engine were fully restored, and the Kellner coachwork was thoroughly researched, followed by the production of a new ash frame, panelled in aluminium. Colin was a great collector of automobila , and had a stunning array of accessories to suit the car. The cockpit is trimmed in black hide, whist the refined rear compartment is trimmed in Bedford cord with French Broadcloth and seaming lace. The ‘icing on top of the cake’ is the exquisite marquetry and inlays, completing a truly breathtaking interior.
Today, 8TE remains in first class condition and drives very well indeed. The wheels have been converted to accept period straight sided rims (highly advantageous for touring) and the car has been thoroughly serviced and maintained by ourselves.
One of the things we most enjoy about Silver Ghosts is the variety of styles of coachwork fitted to the cars. This is without doubt a stand-out example and would suit any collection, particularly one which lacks an interesting, formal bodied pre-war car!
