The association of Rolls Royce with the best cars in the world began with the Silver Ghost model.  Charles Rolls and Henry Royce built thirty seven of its predecessor, the 30 hp models, the first Rolls-Royce car ever produced. They ran well enough, but were far from the luxury, comfort rides the men had conceived. Their second attempt, the Silver Ghost, so named for the almost supernatural quiteness of its motor, ran remarkably better. Care and quality were put into every aspect of the motor, reflecting in unprecedented reliability – a Silver Ghost ran 15,000 straight miles without needing repairs – as well as a hefty price tag.

On this day, December 19, in 1924, after close to two decades of production, the last Rolls Royce Silver Ghost was sold.

Considering the amount of engineering put into them, the Silver Ghosts were priced accordingly. At £985, about ten times the yearly salary of an average professional, this was truly a car for the upper classes. A few of the Silver Ghosts survive, meticulously preserved, to this age – still the most expensive cars around, their insured value is around $35 million.