13 replies to this topic

[peter kropotk]

:confused: This 1954 press photograph shows a Rolls-Royce taking part in a stock-car race at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield. The label says only "1925 50-hp Rolls Royce".
Can anyone give more detailed specs of the model/coachwork/motor, etc for me?

It was raced by Joe Proudfoot from the Niagara Service Station in Sheffield. I have seen several Bentleys and Railtons and Lagondas from racing in the fifties, but never such an old and stately Roller on Britain's brutal oval tracks.

[mikeC]

If the caption is accurate, then it could be either a very late Silver Ghost, or a very early Phantom 1. The latter was introduced in 1925, and was basically the earlier Ghost chassis fitted with a new ohv engine. Both were officially known as the 40/50hp.

Edited by mikeC, 20 May 2012 - 17:08.

[David Birchall]

It looks to be a Silver Ghost limousine-probably from earlier than 1925--maybe 1922-23 but I could be wrong-hard to tell if it has front wheel brakes which would help decide the chassis date. The engine was a six cylinder, in two blocks of three, with side valves and approximatley 7 liters.
A sad end for what had been a fabulously expensive and prestigious car-definately not a racing car though!

[BRG]

I would guess it was a Silver Ghost landaulette by Hooper & Co. Why wreck it in this way is a mystery to me though.

[nicanary]

I would guess it was a Silver Ghost landaulette by Hooper & Co. Why wreck it in this way is a mystery to me though.

Probably because at the time it was just another old car. When my father returned to his job at Norwich Motor Co. after the war he was offered by the management any number of such cars, all too expensive to run with petrol rationing. The owners either hadn't returned from active service, or didn't want to pay the bill for storage.

He could have bought a good few with his back-pay and gratuity. But we're not all privy to what the future holds.

[D-Type]

Is it an optical illusion, or are those cars racing with glass windows and with windscreens?

Edited by D-Type, 20 May 2012 - 23:35.

[David Birchall]

Also without armco, seatbelts, roll-over bars, fire extinguisher systems, and say it isn't so! HANS devices
How did they and the spectators survive?

[peter kropotk]

Is it an optical illusion, or are those cars racing with glass windows and with windscreens?

Well, this was 1954, and by 1956 there were 'rules'. Some of those early barnstormers were making 300 pounds a night in prize and appearance money from the promoters, hence perhaps the choice of car.
My thanks so far for the contributions.

[Lola5000]

Silver Ghost,in those days in OZ worth about 50 pounds.

[Allan Lupton]

Silver Ghost,in those days in OZ worth about 50 pounds.

Whilst the pound still had some value then, the 40/50 Ghost wasn't worth a lot in England then.
Dear old Cecil Bendall ("for Unusable Unusual Automobiles") had an Abbott-bodied 1924 saloon limousine for £100 in February '54 and Simmons had a choice of three Phantom Is for £100 each "as and where standing".

Edited by Allan Lupton, 21 May 2012 - 08:26.

[peter kropotk]

Whilst the pound still had some value then, the 40/50 Ghost wasn't worth a lot in England then.
Dear old Cecil Bendall ("for Unusable Unusual Automobiles") had an Abbott-bodied 1924 saloon limousine for £100 in February '54 and Simmons had a choice of three Phantom Is for £100 each "as and where standing".

I was once told that the British Royal family used Daimlers for years, and only later switched to RR; the reason: Rolls donated the car(s), whereas Daimler had required payment! Any truth behind that lovely story?

[johnthebridge]

Whilst the pound still had some value then, the 40/50 Ghost wasn't worth a lot in England then.
Dear old Cecil Bendall ("for Unusable Unusual Automobiles") had an Abbott-bodied 1924 saloon limousine for £100 in February '54 and Simmons had a choice of three Phantom Is for £100 each "as and where standing".

God, I'd forgotten C. J. Bendall!
For my sins, I attended Letchworth Grammar School from '57 onwards and, being a car nut, used to cycle over to Hitchin after school to wallow in the sights, sounds and smells of the place. They were very tolerant of me, and I'd scrounge the occasional run out on test with an elderly bloke, who I imagine might have been "himself".
I remember on one occasion a huge Hispano-Suiza, and sundry Crewe and Derby products, but I'm ashamed to say my favourites were the Yanks. They had such wonderful interiors that always had a particular smell, and were so damned COMFORTABLE!
Even then, the prices on some of them didn't seem that high in relation to the sort of prices new cars were fetching in the late '50s and compared to a 12 year old making the same comparison today, I think they were undoubted bargains. Ah well...

Edited by johnthebridge, 21 May 2012 - 15:27.

[johnthebridge]

Talking of places like C. J. Bendall, my family moved to Andover in 1960, and after I "bought" my first road vehicle in about '63 (loan from the Old Man, only ever partially re-paid...) a favourite run out was to The Halfway Garage at Padworth on the old A4. Anyone remember it? Boy, did they have some stock!

Edited by johnthebridge, 21 May 2012 - 15:35.

[Allan Lupton]

Continuing the O/T diversion I've lived in Letchworth since 1950 but only got really interested in cars after leaving school. I bought my first car in '57, a rather tired M type MG and sold on the even more tired remains to Cecil in 1959 for £10 and glad to get it.
He always had interesting stock, because he was as much an enthusiast as a dealer, and he kept records of his trading which stood us, the VCC Dating Committee/Panel, in good stead for years. By keeping an eye on his stock I can say I have seen (even sat in and looked under the bonnet of) many really unusual automobiles, so his strap-line was justified.