The ‘Taj Mahal’ Silver Ghost an Old Car










The only known five-seater Torpedo Phaeton Tourer version of the Silver Ghost still surviving in its original form, this car was exported to Mumbai, India in 1913. Before it was sent, early Rolls-Royce Managing Director Claude Johnson (commonly referred to as ‘the hyphen in Rolls-Royce’) had the silver and enamel ‘Taj Mahal’ name plate fitted. Also known as the Indian Trials Car, the vehicle was bought by the Maharajah of Nabha after a six-month test period. It features many adaptations designed to cope with Indian conditions of the period, including larger wheels to increase ground clearance and numerous modifications to improve engine cooling. Other unusual features include a special rail running behind the front seats allowing support for rear passengers to grip when standing. The Taj Mahal remained in the Maharajah’s family for 60 years, being used as a ceremonial and touring vehicle, and also saw service with the Indian Army and Air Force. In 2011, almost 100 years after it was built, the car drove 400 miles from London to Edinburgh in honour of the endurance standards set by Silver Ghosts in the early years of motoring.

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