'The Spirit' is a collection of twenty-four watercolors by Ken Dallison that depict twenty-four classic Rolls-Royce automobiles, from the car that gave the name Silver Ghost to the 40/50 hp model to the car that was current at the time the book was published, the Pininfarina-designed, two-door Camargue. In between are found the Phantoms I, II, III and IV along with the Wraith, Silver Wraith, Corniche and others.
Ken Dallison’s reputation as an automotive artist is irreproachable and enduring. His work has appeared on postage stamps and automobile advertisements; it has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Car and Driver.
1.
40/50 H. P. "SILVER GHOST"
Presented in 1907, this model is the original "Silver Ghost," earning
the name from its standard-setting silence and, of course, the
massive silver presence created by its aluminum-painted Barker
body and silver-plated exposed metal parts. Remarkable for the
time, the AX 201 completed in its presentation year a 15,000 mile
endurance run over mountain roads without an involuntary stop.
2.
SILVER GHOST TOURER
In the 1911 endurance run from London to Edinburgh and back again
to London, the predecessor of this tourer proceeded non-stop entirely
in high gear. The lightweight body built for that model by Holmes of
Derby inspired a succession of tourers in the "London-Edinburgh"
style, among them the featured model from 1913.
3. SILVER GHOST ARMOURED CAR
The reliability of Rolls-Royce, already legendary, was put to trial in
the demanding circumstances of the African and Arabian deserts
where this model saw action during World War I. T.E.Lawrence commanded a fleet of these vehicles, each armoured with a turret geared to swivel a full 360 degrees. Developed to withstand exceptional
overload and abuse, the slightly modified Silver Ghost chassis proved
a successful base for the armoured car.
4. SILVER GHOST PICCADILLY ROADSTER
Conscious of itself as the firm's only venture into manufacture out-
side Britain, the American operation established at Springfield,
Massachusetts, in 1921, was rigorously devoted to the maintenance
of established Rolls-Royce standards. The Springfield car, more
often than not with Brewster body, such as this roadster, combined
the traditional Rolls-Royce look with American styling. The featured
model, one of only sixteen such roadsters produced in 1925, was a
dashing example of the response to new styling expectations.
5. PHANTOM I BOATTAIL SPEEDSTER
Commissioned of Barker in 1925 by the Maharajah of Bikaner, this
car was extravagantly fitted out for the single-minded pursuit of
princely pleasure. In an age of undisputed individualism in
coachbuilding, still, this model was aggressively unique. To be sure,
the acceleration and top speed won from the engineering advances of
the Phantom I could be greatly prized in the drama of the hunt.
6. PHANTOM I FORMAL LIMOUSINE
In its traditionally correct elegance, characteristic of the conservative
aspect of the image, this 1927 model assumed with modesty the
range of motoring power open to a Rolls-Royce. But imperiously, it
valued the smooth reliability, and yes, the silence. A product of the
Springfield works, with body by Brewster, this limousine discreetly
restricted its show of luxury to the interior gold-plated hardware.
7. PHANTOM I DERBY TOURER
A splendid reflection of its time and place, this high-spirited four-passenger 1929 speedster was, by design, an adaptation to motoring
conditions in the United States. A product of the merged efforts of
Springfield-Brewster, this tourer exemplified with American style
the Rolls-Royce capacity for grace under stress. The nomenclature of
the tourer series expressly recalled to an American audience the
British origin of Rolls-Royce.
8. PHANTOM II SPORTS SALOON
Built in 1930 by Barker to the specifications of Henry Royce, this
motor car was intended, not for the founder's personal use, but to encourage the firm to develop a more compact, high-performance line
of Phantom IIs. The car went on to win in that year the Concours
d'Élégance at Biarritz and, fulfilling Royce's expectations, it served
as the prototype of future Continentals.