Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost turns 100, commemorative Phantom unveiled

Click image for gallery of the Phantom Silver and centenary gathering

Rolls-Royce recently celebrated the centenary of the Silver Ghost with a gathering of over five dozen of the cars at the automaker's Goodwood HQ. Some 6,000 Silver Ghosts were produced from 1907 to 1925 , and as you can see in the photo at right (click it to enlarge), they varied greatly in style. We're completely smitten with the wood-bodied boattail behind the group of owners in the middle of the photo (we zoomed in on it in the photo gallery below).

To celebrate the Silver Ghost's 100th anniversary, Rolls-Royce is producing a highly-limited run of commemorative Phantoms. Dubbed the Phantom Silver, the car carries a £22,000 premium over the standard Phantom and features a custom Ghost Silver finish. Its list of other specific features (follow the jump for full details) includes 21" wheels with chrome center caps, a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy, a solid silver keyfob, white-faced gauges, a matching clock, and more.

By the time you've read this, they'll probably all be spoken for.

Press releases after the jump.

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

PRESS RELEASES:
ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATES CENTENARY OF THE SILVER GHOST
30 May 2007, Goodwood

The largest gathering of Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts ever, took place on Saturday at the Rolls‑Royce head office and manufacturing plant at Goodwood, West Sussex. More than 60 of the historic motor cars, built between 1907 and 1926, were displayed before they embarked on a 17-day, 2000-mile tour.

The event marks the centenary of a reliability trial that established the reputation of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in 1907 as the world's finest car. The commemorative cross-country tour includes stopovers in Derbyshire, the Lake District, Inverness, John o'Groat's and Dundas Castle in Edinburgh. The tour has been organised by the 20-Ghost Club, which encourages the restoration, maintenance and use of Rolls-Royce cars built before 1945.

Members of the club have brought cars from as far away as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and India. The vehicles represent some of the finest examples of their type, including the car that carried out the actual endurance test in 1907.

Two special new cars were also on display. The limited edition Rolls-Royce Phantom Silver has been built to mark this centenary and only 25 will be made. In tribute to the specifications of the original, the car is finished in a new Bespoke paint, Metallic Ghost Silver and includes a host of special features, including a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy.

The second car is the recently launched Phantom Drophead Coupé – a two door, four-seat convertible. This spectacular new car is exciting customers around the world and a substantial order bank has been established. The whole of 2007 production has been sold and there are currently only a few build slots left in 2008. Production of the new model begins in the summer.

Speaking at the event, Chairman and CEO, Ian Robertson, said, "We are delighted to support the 20-Ghost Club on this unique occasion. We are especially pleased and honoured to present these wonderful motor cars together at Goodwood, the new home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Silver Ghost was designed and built with an obsession for quality combined with the highest level of engineering and this remains the foundation of our company today."

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PHANTOM SILVER MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SILVER GHOST
1 June 2007, Goodwood

Rolls-Royce has produced a limited edition, named Phantom Silver, to mark the 100 th anniversary of the Silver Ghost. The special model, of which only 25 will be made, pays homage to one of the most famous automotive names of all time.

First built in 1906, specifically to publicise the then new Rolls-Royce 40/50 h.p. six-cylinder model, the Silver Ghost established the Rolls-Royce reputation for reliability and engineering excellence. The name was coined in 1907 by Rolls-Royce Managing Director, Claude Johnson, by virtue of its silver coachwork and its 'extraordinary stealthiness'. The original Silver Ghost, registered AX-201, competed in the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial, for which it won the gold medal in its class for hill climbing speed and reliability. The Silver Ghost went on in that year to break the world record for a non-stop motor run, covering a London to Glasgow route 27 times, with mileage totaling 14,371 miles.

More than 6,000 "Silver Ghosts" were built between 1907 and 1925, and sold in every corner of the world. The majority are still in good running order.

In tribute to the specifications of the original, the Phantom Silver is finished in a new Bespoke paint, Metallic Ghost Silver. The 21-inch wheels have chrome centres and on top of the grille sits a hallmarked solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy. Inside, Rose Leaf or Crème Light leather is accompanied by seat piping and headrests embroidered with the Rolls-Royce interlinked RR badge. Straight grained Santos Palissander wood veneer is used throughout. The same veneer is also used on a specially designed presentation box that houses the key, two solid silver key fobs and a specially commissioned solid silver Conway Stewart fountain pen.

Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson, said, "The Silver Ghost is such a significant model in the history of Rolls-Royce that we felt marking its 100 th anniversary was entirely fitting. Its extraordinary reliability, refinement, comfort and virtually silent running were as important to Rolls-Royce in 1907 as they are today."

Phantom Silver specification

* Bespoke Ghost Silver paintwork
* 21-inch alloy wheels chrome centre caps
* Roseleaf or Crème Light leather interior trim
* Santos Palissander veneered wood
* Coolbox
* Solid silver and enamel Conway Stewart pen
* Solid silver key fob
* Solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy
* Bespoke drinks holder
* Bespoke champagne flutes and tumblers detailed with silver
* White instrument dials
* Bespoke clock matched to instrument dials
* Phantom Silver tread plates