A rare 1915 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost, which remained in the possession of a single Australian family for approximately 100 years, has failed to find a buyer at a high-profile international auction. The vehicle, known as chassis 17CB, was presented as Lot 40 at the 2026
Despite the significant interest surrounding its extensive documented history and high level of originality, the auction house confirmed that the car did not reach its reserve price. The result leaves the future of the historic automobile uncertain following its emergence from long-term storage for the event.
A Century of Australian Provenance
The Silver Ghost was completed at the Rolls-Royce factory and officially tested on August 5, 1915. Originally commissioned with Barker open tourer coachwork, the vehicle was exported to Australia via the Melbourne-based firm Kellow-Falkiner. Its first owner was Robert Alexander, a cattle breeder in New South Wales. In 1924, the car was purchased by Robert C. Falconer, beginning a century-long association with the family that spanned generations and saw the vehicle serve various roles across Western Australia.
Throughout its tenure with the
Remarkable Mechanical Preservation
What distinguishes chassis 17CB in the collector market is its high degree of mechanical and aesthetic integrity. The vehicle retains its original 7,428cc six-cylinder engine and four-speed gearbox. Even during the 1960s, when the family considered a mechanical overhaul, the engine was found to be in such robust condition that only a minor rebore was necessary, rendering planned replacement parts redundant.
The original Barker coachwork, numbered 4057, also remains with the chassis. Although the family modified the body during the Great Depression to increase cargo capacity for utility purposes, these changes were executed without compromising the structural integrity of the original design. The rear doors and associated hardware were carefully preserved. In its later years, the car transitioned into a collector's item, participating in events such as the 1997 Rolls-Royce Owners Club Federal Rally in Perth. Following its unsuccessful appearance at the 2026
