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| Here's Stephen Munn with 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. |
The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu was honoured to receive the special ‘Coup de Coeur du Jury’ award for its 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in the Concours d’État at the 2013 Rétrofestival in Caen, 29th – 30thJune.
This year, the Beaulieu team, who have exhibited at each of the six Rétrofestival shows, took the stunning Silver Ghost from the National Motor Museum’s collection to display on their stand and enter into the Concours d’État.
In special recognition of Beaulieu’s continued support of the Rétrofestival and the historical importance of the Silver Ghost, the jury, consisting of five motoring specialists, decided to award the car the jury’s prize, known as the ‘Coup de Coeur du Jury’ – which literally translates as ‘Burst of Passion’, in this case meaning the jury’s favourite. The award was presented at a packed gala dinner on 29th June, with the Silver Ghost described by the jury as an “outstanding car (with a) unique history, loved by all participants and the public alike”.
The Silver Ghost certainly does have a unique history. Built in 1909 as chassis no. 939, it was supplied new to a Colonel Ferguson of Boughty Ferry, Dundee with a seven seat touring body by Hooper and painted deep claret. Following Colonel Ferguson’s death in 1923, the vehicle was extensively rebuilt by John Morris, a Dundee Rolls-Royce agent. The car was painted dark royal blue and black and the chassis fitted with a hearse body!
In 1930, the hearse body was removed and the car was fitted with a Mann Egerton crane and drop side body. It was used by John Morris as a recovery vehicle until the firm was sold in 1952, when the crane was removed and the car went to Reston Manor Garage of Reston, Berwickshire.
It remained there until it was ‘rediscovered’ in 1954, when Lord Montagu acquired the car. It was fully restored with a Barker style Roi des Belges body built by Leslie Willis and was put on display in the Montagu Motor Museum in the 1960s. Today the Silver Ghost is a star exhibit in the National Motor Museum’s internationally renowned collection of over 250 vehicles and remains one of Lord Montagu favourite cars.
The National Motor Museum’s collection can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which also includes the BOND IN MOTION exhibition, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.
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