Rolls‑Royce has brought back the Silver Ghost... kind of

The sparkling array of silver enhancements extends from solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy and inlaid silver ingot in the cabin to silver-edging for the umbrellas stored inside the doors. The sterling silver additions are hallmarked ‘AX201’, specially created by the Assay Office in homage to the original Silver Ghost of 1907 whose registration plate was AX201.

In addition to the silver treatment, each of the 35 cars benefits from a facelift and Phantom-inspired refinements that distinguish all 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghosts.

The biggest change is the crisper new front-end styling, with more prominent Parthenon grille and re-designed bumper. There is a new design of 21-inch wheels. Inside, more soundproofing makes the Ghost quieter and a new multimedia system offers more entertainment and communication functions.

It’s the Silver Ghost Collection models however that really crown the 2018 Ghost range. As you might expect of a special-edition model that recalls what for many is the world’s most famous car, Rolls-Royce has really splashed out with its homage. 

Each of the 35 cars is – obviously – painted silver, with coach lines that contain real silver particles. The wheel centres bear the legend, ‘Silver Ghost – since 1907’ and evoking that car’s engine bay is a collar of hammered copper around the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy. In the cabin, there are precious metal inlays, 1907-style silver dials with a decorative ‘peened’ finish,a clock shaped like a silver ingot, silver edged leather panniers and, echoing the 1907 Silver Ghost, upholstery in Forest Green leather.

A bespoke centre console contains Silver Ghost Collection goodies of a time-piece, sunglasses and Silver Ghost pen, while in true Edwardian spirit each of the 35 cars comes with a picnic hamper to “continue Rolls-Royce’s romantic notion of the pinnacle in al fresco dining”.

All the lucky 35 need now is a good long journey to go on…maybe a jaunt of 14,371 miles? That’s the endurance record the first Silver Ghost AX201 set in 1907, establishing the company’s reputation for engineering excellence – and creating the legend of the “best car in the world”.