The Silver Ghost was introduced at the London Motor Show in late 1906 and it was a major leap for the young firm of Rolls-Royce, for it was a larger and more powerful car than they had previously attempted.

The 40/50 model (later known as the Silver Ghost) was quiet, smooth, powerful and beautifully proportioned, and the British market loved it from the very start, making it a huge success.

Previously, the best cars available had been French in origin, and the British aristocracy was delighted to find a home-grown car superior to what the French had to offer.

Henry Royce pursued a policy of constant improvement, and by about 1914 the cars had become even better -- proving to be very reliable and, with a light body, very fast as well.

Mechanically, the 40/45 was quite conventional -- a ladder frame with a 7.4 liter six cylinder engine consisting of two three-cylinder blocks with non-detachable cylinder heads and side valves.

Royce designed his own twin-jet carburetor which suited t...