1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster Coachwork by Merrimac Chassis no. 346XH Engine no. 21-171 Body no. M 597 The most desirable, sporting Springfield Silver Ghost Exceptionally rare as 1 of as few as 70 Piccadilly Roadsters Early-production example with RHD and desireable 4-speed gearbox Documented in print, plus RREC chassis records and RROC registers Retaining the original chassis, engine, and coachwork Well-maintained older restoration Provenance includes a succession of noted collectors Single-family ownership 2000 2025 in Europe Engine professionally rebuilt circa 2005 Includes Roll-Royce Silver Ghost Driving Companion owners book Accompanied by invoices, jack, restored side curtains, rear luggage rack, and metal trunk. Representing the pinnacle of quality and luxury since inception in 1904, Rolls-Royce cemented its enviable reputation by 1907 with the debut of the new 40/50. Initially named in recognition of its taxable horsepower rating, the 40/50 would soon be immortalized as the Silver Ghost, honoring the Barker-bodied tourer built for Claude Johnson, the companys founding Managing Director, which took gold in the 2,000-mile Scottish Reliability Trial. Virtually silent in operation and capable of mighty long-range performance, the Silver Ghost is a Rolls-Royce icon and the standard by which all other important classic motorcars are judged today. Production continued through 1925 at Derby and 1926 at Springfield, Massachusetts, following the debut of the New Phantom. Established in December 1919, the newly d Rolls-Royce of America Incorporated firm purchased the American Wire Wheel Company plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the first US-built Silver Ghost was produced in January 1921. Catering to the fabulously wealthy clients of the carriage trade in Americas northeastern corridor, Rolls-Royce of Americas Springfield-built cars avoided stiff duties on imported luxury motorcars and helped bring Rolls-Royce to the prominence it continues to enjoy in America. Unlike its British-built counterparts, which were offered as bare chassis and bodied by external coachbuilding firms, the Springfield American Silver Ghost could be ordered with factory bodywork, usually built by Brewster, which Rolls-Royce eventually took over in December 1925. Before acquiring Brewster, Rolls-Royce of America established the Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Works (RRCCW) program. Various renowned coachbuilders supplied bodies badged RRCCW, including the sporting Piccadilly Roadster from Massachusetts-based Merrimac, numbering as few as 70 and as many as 79, depending upon the source consulted. Accompanied by copies of chassis records supplied by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club (RREC), this 1923 Springfield Silver Ghost is numbered 346XH and retains its original Piccadilly Roadster coachwork (Body No. M-597) by Merrimac. Of further note to Rolls-Royce collectors, 346XH is an early-production Springfield Ghost featuring right-hand drive and a four-speed gearbox both characteristic of the first two years of Springfield production. This Silver Ghost was completed in February 1923 and delivered new on September 18, 1923, to Mr. Charles E. F. Clarke, a director of Rolls-Royce America, Inc., with business premises at 40 Wall Street, New York, the eventual site of the present-day Trump Building, formerly the Manhattan Trust and Manhattan Company Building. Completed in 1930, this structure was once a contender with the Chrysler Building for recognition as the worlds tallest building. Mr. Clarke is also listed in the RREC records for 346XH as having been a resident of Rye, New York. Documented provenance picks up in the early 1970s, with 346XH owned by a succession of Rolls-Royce collectors including Florida resident David J. Stewart, who acquired it from Ross Turner of Trinidad. Subsequent owners include Thomas Phee, Edward Kann, Joe Loecy, and S. Prestley Blake. In late 2000, 346XH migrated to Europe, remaining there under single-family care for the next 25 years prior to our acquisition in early 2026. Finished in White with Beige leather upholstery, the Silver Ghost continues to benefit from an older restoration that is believed to have been performed during the 1980s. Circa 2005, the engine underwent a comprehensive overhaul by Kjell Lind, a renowned Rolls-Royce expert in Sweden, who had also assisted the previous owners with maintaining and operating the car in recent years. Acquired in early 2026 by Vintage Motors of Sarasota, the Ghost retains the original chassis (346XH), the original engine (No. 21-171), and body (M 597). The soft top, side curtains, and side curtain cover are all of Beige canvas material and very well preserved. Other cosmetic features include the White painted chassis and new leather leaf-spring gaiters with Rolls-Royce badging. Accompanying items include a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Driving Companion owners book, roadside jack, rear metal luggage rack, and metal-clad trunk. Documents include the cars prior registration documents, a folder containing invoices, copies of the cars first US-issued title, and other historical documents. As expected, original data for 346XH is listed in authoritative books including Rolls-Royce in America by John Webb de Campi and The Vintage Silver Ghost by Steve Hubbard, plus the aforementioned RREC chassis records and the RROC Directory (1976, 1981, 1997).
