"1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost : The Best Classic Touring Car in The World"

1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost

In the early days of this Century, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was generally regarded as the best luxurious car in the world. You might not know, Rolls-Royce built only the chassis, leaving the body work to be finished by coach-builders according to customer’s requirements. However, Silver Ghost had a marvellous powertrain. Its straight-six engine employed a strong crankcase, 7 main bearings such that vibration was virtually eliminated (by the standard of then). Because it was so quiet, so smooth, the name “Silver Ghost” was given. Reliability was also its strongest point, since every Silver Ghost was carefully made.

1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Interior

The Silver Ghost was renowned for its smooth, quiet running, achieved with a massive, seven-main-bearing crankshaft and stiff crankcase. Its cylinders were cast in two blocks of three, inclusive of heads, which eliminated head gaskets and the chances of their blowing. The specifications included full-pressure lubrication, an electrical system that really worked, and a precision carburetor made with the quality of a Swiss watch. Its reliability, at a time when “horseless carriages” were anything but reliable, was legendary.

1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Engine

Although the seven-liter side-valve engine’s compression ratio was only 3,2:1, it developed 48 brake horsepower at 1,500 rpm, and would deliver 50-mph cruising speeds, which was more than an enthusiastic driver could do on almost any public road of the day.

1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Chassis

Silver Ghost was designed for the richest. Barely its chassis cost about US$5000, roughly 10 times of a Ford Model T. Henry Royce’s success came at a key time, when the cash-poor company desperately needed a winner. So well received was it that the firm moved to more spacious quarters in Derby in 1908, simultaneously deciding to produce only this model — and so it did for the next 17 years.

1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Right View

Specifications :

Model	Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
Production period	1907-26
No. produced	7,876
Layout	Front-engined, Rwd.
Engine	Inline-6, side valves, 2v/cyl.
Capacity	7036 c.c.
Power	48 hp
Torque	N/A
Weight	1000 kg (chassis only, no body work)
Top speed	N/A
0-60 mph	N/A