1926 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

S178ML

Clear

Gasoline

1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost 'London-Edinburgh'-style Torpedo Tourer Chassis no. S178ML Engine no. 20785 *7.4-liter straight six-cylinder engine *Four-speed manual transmission *Twin side mounts *Overdrive *front Wheel brakes *Attractive Torpedo Tourer coachwork *Ex-Frank Cooke collection *An RROC meet regular participant It was in September of 1911 that E.W. Hives completed the legendary journey from London to Edinburgh driving a Rolls-Royce 40/50hp, a journey using top gear only, averaging 24.32 miles per gallon and at the completion of that journey the same car was taken to the purpose-built race track at Brooklands, near London, where it was timed at no less than 78.26mph. That car featured lightweight sporting torpedo coachwork by Holmes of Derby and mechanically was substantially to standard 'Silver Ghost' specification but featured cantilever, underslung rear springs and a larger carburetor. S178ML was supplied new as a Piccadilly Roadster to its first owner, A.H. Beck of Wayland, Massachusetts, in June 1926. It is known that in 1950 it was owned by J Baust, and next was acquired by the famous Rolls Royce restorer Frank Cooke. Cook later transferred the Piccidilly body to his Phantom I, S454FL. Cooke acquired the present 'London-Edinburgh'-style torpedo coachwork, built in East Africa, many years ago and mounted it on S178ML. The car is equipped with windscreen-mounted side wind deflectors, twin side-mounted spare wheels, sprung bumpers front and rear, leather-gaitered springs, side scuttle vents, Auster-type screen for the comfort of the rear passengers, fishtail exhaust, luggage carrier and trunk. Fittings throughout are nickel and Bausch & Lomb drum headlamps are fitted along with Toby diver's helmet rear lamps. As S178ML was prepared by Frank Cooke for long distance touring he wisely equipped the car with a modern oil filter system and overdrive unit to ease the strain on the fast longer drives. In addition, the car is fitted with front wheel brakes. The last owner acquired from the Frank Cooke estate sale in 2006 and has been used sparingly since then and is in very much the same condition as it was during Cooke's ownership.