The success of the Silver Ghost in the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trials validated Rolls-Royce as “the best British car.” Due to their durability and modern ride, the Silver Ghost was the preferred automobile for members of royalty and high society. At a time when many automobiles still resembled carriages and featured one- or two-cylinder engines, Rolls-Royce offered its occupants unmatched luxury, and provided effortless torque in any of its four forward gears.

The Silver Ghost presented here, chassis 2651, went on test at the factory on September 18, 1913. According to The Edwardian Rolls-Royce, by John Fasal and Bryan Goodman, this Silver Ghost was originally clothed in limousine coachwork by Mülbacher, based on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The volume further states that the Rolls-Royce was sold to its original owner, S.M. Sternbach of New York, through Automobiles Rolls-Royce in France.

The next known owner of the Silver Ghost was in 1956, when George A. Kipp of Albany, New York, acquired the car. Little is known of Mr. Kipp’s ownership, although a photograph on file labeled “August 1956” shows a Silver Ghost with a racing-style body. Next in 1963, Hermann R. Zinn of Rochelle Park, New Jersey, registered the Silver Ghost with the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club (RROC). The car was labeled as a “chassis,” likely pointing to the possibility that it was still equipped with minimal, or no coachwork. When RROC Vice President Mark Negrelli acquired the Silver Ghost in 1966, he too registered the car with the club as a chassis.

Scott Isquick acquired the Silver Ghost from Mr. Negrelli in 1979. By this time the Rolls-Royce was registered with the owners’ club as a Tourer by Ley & Sons. Six years prior, to celebrate 60 years since the company’s victory at the Austrian Alpine Trial, the international Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club hosted the Great Alpine Commemorative Rally, following the same 2,600 km route as the original competition. Mr. Isquick completed the rally joined by his friend, fellow Ohio resident – and 2651’s then owner – Mark Negrelli.

Scott, along with his family, continued to tour the Ghost, including on the Transcontinental Tour in 1982. During his more than 40 years of ownership, he added upwards of 110,000 tour miles to the Rolls-Royce.

Well suited for Silver Ghost and early automobile driving events worldwide, this Edwardian Era Rolls-Royce, with its attractive open coachwork and four-speed gearbox, is sure to provide its next custodian with incomparably modern performance for an automobile of this period.