Rolls-Royce cars (up to 1945): books - history

The Silver Ghost : A Supernatural Car

Jonathan Harley is an expert in Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, having restored over 100 of these classic cars in the past 40 years - often from little more than scrap or abandoned chassis. His deep understanding allows him to identify specific models by minor details, such as bolt designs or hole placements, settling long-standing debates about authenticity.

In this book, Harley explores the history of the Silver Ghost, often called "the best car in the world." He examines its origins, design, performance compared to its rivals, and how it has been viewed over the past century.

"The Silver Ghost: A Supernatural Car" is both a memoir and an account of the early days of car restoration. Harley recalls working on forgotten "barn finds" that were once sold for scrap but later fetched high prices at auctions. He also shares stories of the remarkable personalities he encountered - some eccentric, others adventurous, and at times, even dangerous.

Featuring many rare and unpublished photographs, this book captures the legacy of the Silver Ghost, a vehicle whose engineering brilliance has made the driving experience feel almost "supernatural."

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The Rolls-Royce: The Magic of a Name - The First Forty Years of Britain's Most Prestigious Company 1904-1944

This book tells the story of Rolls-Royce, Britain's most prestigious manufacturer, over its first forty years. Beginning with the pivotal 1904 meeting of Henry Royce and C.S. Rolls, and the creation of the legendary Silver Ghost in 1906, Peter Pugh narrates a tale of innovation, skill, and dedication that produced unmatched cars and aeroengines.

In 1915, Royce designed the first of many successful aero engines, the Eagle, which proved itself in World War I. Twenty-five years later, the iconic Merlin engine was installed in the Spitfire, playing a key role in the Battle of Britain.

With exclusive access to the company's archives, this book offers a unique portrait of both an iconic brand and British industry at its peak.

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The Rolls-Royce Story

For generations, people have been captivated by the hand-built motor cars crafted by the world's most skilled artisans. The exceptional quality of their work and engineering made Rolls-Royce the standard for excellence.

Interestingly, the company that became synonymous with luxury and privilege was founded by Frederick Henry Royce, a self-taught engineer from a humble background. The son of a Lincolnshire farmer, Royce began working at age 10 to support his widowed mother. Driven by a passion for perfection, he famously stated, "nothing is ever right or good enough, " yet he produced the finest cars ever made.

Rolls-Royce owners have included royalty, billionaires, Hollywood stars, and the wealthy elite, all united by a desire to own the very best. This book tells the story of Rolls-Royce.

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Why Not? - The Story of the Honourable Charles Stuart Rolls

Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, was the first Englishman to die in an air crash at the age of 30. His death on July 12, 1910, was a national tragedy, making headlines worldwide. Despite his fame at the time, he is now often overlooked, though his contributions to aviation and motoring were remarkable.

Before partnering with Henry Royce in 1904, Rolls was already a pioneering figure. He made his first balloon ascent in 1898 and began experimenting with powered flight by 1901. In 1909, he became the first person to complete a round-trip flight across the English Channel in a Wright Flyer, gaining international recognition.

Born into an aristocratic family, Rolls was one of Britain's earliest and youngest motoring pioneers. A successful racing driver, he helped popularize the motor car in Britain. Once convinced of the car's reliability, he turned his focus to aviation, seeking to conquer the skies.

This biography explores the life of Charles Rolls, a visionary industrialist, aviator, and record-breaking driver. It includes extensive quotes from his writings and contemporary sources, offering insight into the early days of motoring and flight.

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The Rolls-Royce 1913 Catalog

Founded in 1906 by Henry Royce and Charles Rolls in Manchester, Rolls-Royce Limited initially produced cars with two, three, four, and six cylinders. Managing Director Claude Johnson successfully argued that the six-cylinder model should become the standard, and all other models should be discontinued.

By 1913, Johnson's suggestion had been fully implemented. The company offered only the six-cylinder chassis, available with eight body types. This change significantly boosted the company's success, ensuring unparalleled reliability and quality. It allowed Rolls-Royce to claim that its cars were "The Best Car in the World."

This 1913 catalog, originally produced by Rolls-Royce Limited, includes illustrations of eight body types: Limousine, Double Limousine, Limousine-Landaulet, Torpedo-Phaeton, London-Edinburgh Car, Two-Seater, and Cabriolet. It also provides details on the brand, chassis specifications, and customer testimonials.

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Coachwork on Rolls-Royce (1922-1939) - Twenty, 20/25, 25/30 & Wraith

When Rolls-Royce introduced the Twenty in 1922, it did not provide its own coachwork. Instead, numerous specialist coachbuilders, both in Britain and abroad, took on this role.
Customers selected their preferred coachbuilder, specified their requirements, and received a custom-built vehicle. This system continued as the Twenty evolved into the 20/25, followed by the 25/30, and the Wraith, marking the last junior Rolls-Royce before World War II.

British coachbuilders, including Barker, Gurney Nutting, HJ Mulliner, and Park Ward, created outstanding designs, often in limited quantities, with unique details. Overseas, smaller numbers of bodies were produced by firms such as Kellner and Saoutchik (France), Erdmann & Rossi (Germany), Gangloff (Switzerland), and Brewster (USA).

This book covers the work of these coachbuilders and others, categorizing each creation by chassis type and body style (e.g., saloon, limousine, drophead coupé). Rolls-Royce owners will value the inclusion of chassis numbers, making the book both a visual guide and a valuable reference.
With over 250 photographs, many in color by Simon Clay, the book highlights the craftsmanship of a past era and provides important information for current enthusiasts and owners.

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Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental

Introduced in 1930, the Phantom II Continental was among the most prestigious automobiles of its time, alongside the Mercedes SSK, Bugatti T50, and Duesenberg Model J.
This book details the history of every Phantom II Continental, supported by over 2.000 illustrations. The images showcase these cars at different stages of their existence - when new in the 1930s, in the post-war era, in states of neglect, and in fully restored glory.

Due to high demand for a reprint of "The Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental" by Raymond Gentile, originally published by Dalton Watson in 1980, this expanded edition has been created. With Gentile's approval and assistance, author André Blaize has utilized his extensive database, developed over more than forty years, to provide a comprehensive study of these remarkable cars.

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Making a Marque - Rolls-Royce Motor Car Promotion 1904-1940

This book examines the promotional history of Rolls-Royce from its founding in 1904 until the outbreak of World War II. Charles Rolls recognized the engineering excellence of Henry Royce in 1904, but building the company's reputation in a competitive market was vital.
Claude Johnson, the managing director until his death in 1926, shaped Rolls-Royce's public image and established lasting standards for its promotion.

In the 1920s, when Rolls-Royce expanded to Springfield, Massachusetts, they faced the challenge of proving that American-built cars matched the quality of those from Derby, England.
The book details the ongoing struggle for recognition on both sides of the Atlantic, covering various promotional methods such as race victories, advertisements in major publications, attractive brochures, and independent press reports.
It also highlights Rolls-Royce's use of high-quality illustrated ads to attract discerning customers and reveals the decision-making processes behind the company's advertising, based on rare minutes from the 1930s Advertising Committee.

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Park Ward - The Innovative Coachbuilders 1919-1939

This comprehensive three-volume work explores the pre-war history and automobiles of Park Ward, one of Britain's most renowned coachbuilders. Park Ward was the leading coachbuilder for Rolls-Royce and Bentley, producing over 4.300 vehicles.

Volumes I and II cover the history of Park Ward & Co Ltd., its key figures, and its close partnership with Rolls-Royce. The books include a photographic record of Rolls-Royce models from the Silver Ghost to the Wraith with Park Ward bodywork. There are also chapters on W.O. Bentley cars, experimental models, London Motor Show cars, and Park Ward's designs for other marques. Advertising materials and catalogues are also featured. An appendix contains articles by 'Bill' Ward, son of the company's founder, on the evolution of coachbuilding.

Volume III presents detailed tables of over 3.000 Park Ward-bodied Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars and more than 1.000 other marques. It also includes over 700 rare sales order pages from Park Ward's records.

Malcolm Tucker, a Rolls-Royce and Bentley historian and former Chairman of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club, authored this work, which covers key models such as the Phantom series, 20 HP, Derby Bentleys, and more.

Topics covered include:
- Park Ward and his company
- The Cars of W.O. Bentley
- Rolls-Royce and Derby Bentley Experimental Cars
- Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
- Rolls-Royce 20 hp
- Rolls-Royce Phantom I
- Rolls-Royce 20/25 hp
- Rolls-Royce Phantom II
- Rolls-Royce 25/30 hp
- Rolls-Royce Phantom III
- Rolls-Royce Wraith
- Derby Bentleys
- Motor Show Cars and more!

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