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Topic starter
03/10/2026 9:46 am
Acquired this FM 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Skiff, today, after a somewhat exhausting search. It was the only one I found that had the rear compartment cover that came with the model. The history of the 1:1 of this car is noteworthy:
One of just five skiff-bodies were made for the Silver Ghost, and this is believed to be the only example produced by Schapiro-Schebera of Berlin, Germany. A standard Silver Ghost wearing a touring body was a significant automobile itself in the period, let alone a skiff. In 1921, a Silver Ghost rolling chassis alone cost $11,750 (equivalent to about $200,000 today), and the owner would still need to pay a coachbuilder to build the body of choice. This skiff-back is one of the most outlandish bodies made in the period for any automobile, alluding to the luxury of yachting in the period, and likely constructed with the skills inspired by traditional wooden boat building.
The chassis of this car, 54PB, was completed in 1914, though the chassis was not bodied until after 1919 due to World War I. In 1925, 54PB was acquired by Messrs. A. Souraty & Cie of Cairo, Egypt, and remained in Egypt until the 1950s, which because of Egypt’s dry climate, is one of the reasons why 54PB still retains its original wood.
I will take additional photos of the model, when it arrives. For now, here are the auction photos:
It's only fair we show the 1:1, as well:
03/10/2026 11:32 am
Franklin Mint excelled at these classic concours gems! Congrats!
Topic starter
03/10/2026 11:50 am
@perrone1 Thank you, Tony. It is likely I will repaint the canvas cover on the rear seating area, but I'm not sure I can manage repainting the two spare wheel covers, without making a mess of the body. I shall think for a bit, on this.
Geno and Tony Perrone reacted
03/10/2026 12:24 pm
@perrone1 Thank you, Tony. It is likely I will repaint the canvas cover on the rear seating area, but I'm not sure I can manage repainting the two spare wheel covers, without making a mess of the body. I shall think for a bit, on this.
Yeah, that may be a little daunting - they look fine in the pics.
Geno reacted
03/10/2026 5:37 pm
wouldn't worry too much about spare wheel and canvas colors. Most images show the car, without at least a spare wheel cover, and here's one pic with one in the FM color. Its an outstanding model, and yes like you finding one with the canvas cover was hard. FM were just so prolific in diversity, production quality and quantity in their heyday weren't they?
Topic starter
04/10/2026 5:53 pm
@geoff-jowett Well, then. I will rethink my idea of repainting the rear seat cover.
Tony Perrone and Geoff Jowett reacted
05/10/2026 2:48 pm
@geoff-jowett Geoff, I agree with you 100% leave the canvas as is. Congratulations GDH on the addition to your collection.
Topic starter
06/10/2026 3:21 pm
@bob-jackman Thank you, Bob. I have a penchant for these older rides and often wonder what will happen to them, if following generations don't appreciate them.
Geoff Jowett reacted
06/10/2026 6:00 pm
and the last recent sale price for a 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Skiff was USD $1,875,000.00 at the RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction on August 15, 2026.
GDH and Tony Perrone reacted
06/10/2026 7:21 pm
@diecast1-24cars another one for the suburban Sydney garage Greg?
GDH and Tony Perrone reacted