1926-Rolls-Royce-Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster

Description

1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster
s/n S333RL, engine no. 2355
Two Tone Black and French Grey with Black Leather Interior

The Silver Ghost is effectively the car that put Rolls-Royce on the map, particularly as relates to its position in the eyes of the public as “the world’s finest automobile”. In fact, it was the magazine Autocar, not Rolls-Royce, who coined this now legendary turn of phrase after reviewing an early Silver Ghost in 1907. Produced for 20 years, the Silver Ghost was developed continuously with many modernizations, including electric lighting, electric starting, coil ignition, and four wheel brakes with servo assist. From 1921 to 1926, Rolls-Royce of America, Inc. produced Silver Ghosts in Springfield, Massachusetts to help meet the demand for its impressive cars during the “Roaring 20s”. The cars were produced in specifications to appeal to American consumers and fitted with a variety of bodies, usually supplied by either Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork or Brewster. The cars were fitted with formal limousines and town car bodywork, as well as sporting open styles like this Piccadilly. Many Rolls-Royce enthusiasts believe the American cars’ chassis and bodies are superior in build quality to the British examples.

The Piccadilly Roadster is a desirable body style fitted to just 79 Silver Ghosts, and is characterized by its open construction, short windscreen, relatively compact two-seat driver’s compartment, and rumble seat for rear passengers. Rolls-Royce occasionally selected a car from the production run to use as a trials car, which was tested with experimental versions of new parts and systems. Many times, tests were so successful they were incorporated into the newer models and these trials cars played an important role as rolling test beds in the development process.

This car, S335RL, was manufactured in June 1926, was one such car, used for two years as a company demonstrator and trials car, then completely refreshed before being sold to its first owner, A.J. Davis of St. Louis, Missouri, on December 28, 1928. The list price was $13,450, twice the average American’s annual income in 1928. Edward M. Bergen, the second owner, bought the Piccadilly in 1937. Subsequent owners were John B. Davis of Florissant, Missouri, and then Carroll Vail, also of St. Louis and then-president of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club. Mr. Vail sold it to Conrad Karras of Great Notch, New Jersey, and Naples, Florida, who took the car on the 1973 Alpine Tour. Dennis Nicotra of Woodbridge, Connecticut, bought the car in 1986. In 1987, S335RL was acquired by noted Rolls-Royce collector and small-arms manufacturer William B. Ruger, in whose care it remained until it was sold from his estate in 2002. The 75-year-old car was then mechanically restored, which included fitting two new cylinder blocks at Frank Cooke’s Vintage Garage. Brakes, kingpins, front axle, and gearbox were also rebuilt. The next owner, Lyle Patterson had been Mr. Ruger’s collection manager, and entered the Piccadilly Roadster in the 2003 European Alpine Tour, then several Florida concours events, including Amelia Island and Boca Raton, in 2009. In 2006, a new stainless steel exhaust system and an overdrive were added so the car could be used for modern touring. The front seats were re-trimmed in black leather, and the body was refinished in black with gray accents.

The car has an excellent body displaying very good fit. The paintwork is in excellent shape, with a few light scratches and some minor surface blemishes, but a strong impression overall. The brightwork is impressive throughout, and the car retains correct Rolls Royce America drum type headlamps. The glazing and lights are also in excellent shape. The car has wood running boards that have been refinished and are glossy and free of issue other than a darkened area on the right side of the car. The car is fitted with an external trunk (clearly the origin of the term that we use today), a vintage item with plenty of patina.

The interior is similarly nice with excellent leather upholstery and rubber floor mats. The dashboard has excellent wood and the instruments have not been recently restored but wear their age gracefully and appear to be period correct other than an exhaust gas temperature gauge beneath the dash. The steering wheel controls are in very good order, as is the weather equipment.

The engine compartment is an impressive sight, with much copper in evidence. The engine has been restored and is in very nice condition, with many fascinating details such as the dual ignition system, exposed spark plugs, and updraft carburetor. The car has been recently serviced and operates and drives unusually well.

This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a late production Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster with interesting history and in excellent shape. The car is extremely complete, with tool roll with tools, grease gun, air pump, hammer and wheel nut removal adapter, full weather equipment, and book pouch with books. Both cosmetically attractive and mechanically sorted, this example is an ideal example to casually show or use for events and outings, particularly as a 4 wheel brake example that has overdrive, making it much more usable on modern roads.