Rolls Royce Silver Ghost model, which was built to withstand tough conditions but is still luxurious
The Rolls Royce Silver Ghost model, renowned for its resilience under challenging conditions, still maintains a luxurious appeal. Achalen and Paul, both avid collectors of Silver Ghosts, have a shared passion for these cars and their endurance over long distances. They intend to make their Silver Ghosts available for rental as tour vehicles, providing an unparalleled self-driving experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. They recommend dynamic routes which include a diverse range of landscapes, iconic scenery, and locations steeped in historical and cultural significance. Their aim is to offer a unique driving tour experience unlike anything else currently available.
Four c1920's Silver Ghosts will be ready late 2026
Why not seize the opportunity to recapture a significant moment in time, steering the same historic Silver Ghost across Australia? Each Silver Ghost harbors a fascinating narrative, a captivating history, and a distinct role in the evolution of early Australian motoring. Committed to preserving this rich heritage, Paul and Achalen aim to provide Silver Ghost driving opportunities for a new generation of vintage car enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
Once, Silver Ghosts journeyed throughout Australia, demonstrating not only their reliability but also a level of comfort that renders them equally suited for exhilarating, luxurious adventures today. Globally, car enthusiasts regard the Rolls Royce "Silver Ghost" as an essential piece in any collection, and for those who don't collect cars, it's a dream to drive.
Australia has a well-documented legacy of "Silver Ghosts", with many of these iconic vehicles still available to drive today. The country offers a remarkably safe environment for free motoring, thanks to its ample road systems and low traffic density. Above all, Carrr tours prioritize dynamic driving experiences through Australia's stunningly diverse landscapes.
Background on the Co Directors
Achalen Holmes and Paul Creighton share a profound love for vintage Rolls Royce cars, particularly the Silver Ghost model. Achalen's fascination was sparked in his childhood, having grown up amidst his grandfather, Faris Palfreyman's collection of Silver Ghosts. He continues to fuel this passion by both preserving some of the original collection and acquiring new pieces. Paul's interest was ignited when he purchased his first Bentley, which eventually led him to acquire a vintage Silver Ghost. After restoring the car, Paul embarked on a 3000-mile journey, an experience that deepened his appreciation for the vehicle's power and torque. United in their conviction, both men fervently believe that these majestic cars are meant to be kept on the road and driven.
FAQs
Q1: When will the first tours commence?
A: We anticipate the initiation of the first tours in late 2026 or early 2027, focusing on Tasmania or Victoria's high country.
Q2: How long will the self-drive tours last?
A: While we are flexible, we anticipate that the initial tours will be approximately 4 to 5 days long.
Q3: Will there be tours to other destinations?
A: Yes, we are considering expanding our destinations to include the Flinders Ranges and the northern NSW hinterland.
Q4: Will longer tours be an option?
A: Yes, we are considering offering a transcontinental tour to reenact the route of one of our Ghosts from Broome to Sydney.
Our Quality Promise
We're committed to providing a stress-free experience to both new and returning customers. these cars are turned out for excellent motoring as it was in the 1920's
experenced ghost engineers
Paul and Achalen have a lifetime of experence with the Silver Ghosts and offer you to come and experence the Art of Motoring with these cars
FARIS PALFREYMAN AND SILVER GHOSTS
Our Story
Faris c 1927 flinders ranges
Faris c 1927 flinders ranges
CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN ROLLS ROYCE RALLYING,
Faris Palfreyman and the Silver Ghosts: From Commerce to Custodianship (1920s–1969) Among the defining chapters of Australian Rolls-Royce history, few stories span as completely—or as quietly—as that of Faris Palfreyman. Collector, motor dealer, importer, and ultimately custodian, Palfreyman’s rela
CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN ROLLS ROYCE RALLYING,
Faris Palfreyman and the Silver Ghosts: From Commerce to Custodianship (1920s–1969) Among the defining chapters of Australian Rolls-Royce history, few stories span as completely—or as quietly—as that of Faris Palfreyman. Collector, motor dealer, importer, and ultimately custodian, Palfreyman’s relationship with the Silver Ghost began not as a hobby, but as a matter of practical motoring commerce in the inter-war years. By the time his collection was dispersed at auction in 1969, it represented the culmination of nearly half a century of engagement with the marque. Early Years and the Making of a Motor Man Faris Palfreyman’s story began well before his association with Rolls-Royce. He was educated at Scotch College, and on leaving school took an adventurous path, securing a contract to build the Overland Telegraph Line from Adelaide to Alice Springs. The experience gave him an early exposure to logistics, machinery, and the practical realities of operating in remote Australia. On returning to Melbourne, he established a motor business in Chapel Street, South Yarra, on the site now occupied by Como House. From the outset, the clientele was diverse and often colourful. Faris imported both new and used motor cars, but he later told me that his greatest commercial success came not from luxury vehicles, but from Federal trucks. He imported the chassis in quantity and sold them to local governments, where they were bodied locally and put into service as buses, dump trucks, and municipal work vehicles. During the 1920s, Faris made numerous trips to the United States to observe developments in the automotive industry. On these visits he met many of the key figures shaping modern motoring, including Henry Ford. On his return to Melbourne, he would brief others in the local motor trade on what he had learned—particularly the lessons of mass production, distribution, and scale emerging from America. He also spoke, with some amusement, of travelling during the Prohibition years with two suitcases: one containing clothes, and the other bottles of whisky. The latter, he said, ensured good hotel rooms, smoothed the passage through customs, and opened doors wherever he went. These experiences shaped Faris Palfreyman into a shrewd, worldly operator—one whose understanding of the motor industry extended far beyond Australia, and whose later appreciation of Rolls-Royce was grounded as much in practical experience as in admiration for engineering excellence. The Inter-War Years: Seeing Value Where Others Did Not In the years following the First World War, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts occupied an uncertain position. They were no longer new, yet not old enough to be considered historic. During the economic upheaval following the 1929 crash, new car sales collapsed—but the reputation of Rolls-Royce endured. It was during this period that a Melbourne-based syndicate began importing second-hand Rolls-Royce chassis from England and France, shipping them to Australia without bodies to reduce import duties, then rebodying them locally—often by Martin & King or similar coachbuilders. The intention was not preservation, but value: to deliver a high-quality motor car at a price the market could bear. Faris Palfreyman emerged as the leading figure in this syndicate, coordinating imports, refurbishment, and resale. Approximately fifty Rolls-Royce cars—including Silver Ghosts, Phantom I, and 20 h.p. chassis—were brought to Australia under this arrangement. Chassis were modernised, refurbished, and fitted with bodies suited to Australian conditions and tastes, while often retaining original radiators and bonnets. This work gave Palfreyman an intimate familiarity with the Silver Ghost in all its mechanical and dimensional variations—knowledge that would later underpin his collecting philosophy. Douglas Garage and Palfreyman Motors Palfreyman’s commercial activities were anchored in Melbourne’s motor trade. His business lineage traced back to Douglas Bros Pty Ltd, founded in 1898, selling motorcycles and later motor cars. By the early 1920s, operations were centred in Chapel Street, South Yarra, with a city showroom in A’Beckett Street. In August 1934, the enterprise was formalised as Palfreyman Motors Pty Ltd, acquiring Ernest N. Morey’s business at 670 Chapel Street. The firm specialised in high-class secondhand vehicles, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Lagonda, and also held agencies for Federal trucks and Pierce-Arrow. The company undertook special commissions that reflected both its technical competence and its place within Melbourne society—including, famously, the armour plating of a Hudson for Squizzy Taylor. By 1938, Palfreyman Motors expanded further with new backers and extended premises. However, as the decade closed, Palfreyman withdrew from directorship. The company was renamed Lawrence Motors Pty Ltd, and Palfreyman stepped away from daily commercial life—though not from Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce in Service: Hire Cars, Taxis, and Working Lives Parallel to Palfreyman Motors was City Motor Service Pty Ltd, a luxury hire-car and taxi operation based at 52 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, with which Palfreyman was closely associated. In the 1920s and 1930s, Rolls-Royce taxis in dark red livery became a familiar sight on Melbourne streets. These chauffeur-driven cars—often Phantom II and rebodied Rolls-Royce saloons—were hired for society events, interstate journeys, and official engagements. This period reminds us that many Silver Ghosts and early Phantoms lived working lives, accumulating mileage, modifications, and stories long before collectors sought originality. Palfreyman understood this reality better than most, having seen these cars evolve from prestige transport to utilitarian service vehicles—and, later, to historical artefacts. From Dealer to Collector By the late 1930s, Palfreyman had moved away from the motor trade entirely, first farming in Victoria, then relocating to Queensland and later the A.C.T. Yet his withdrawal from commerce marked the beginning of a new phase. By the late 1950s, Palfreyman began seriously collecting Rolls-Royce cars, focusing primarily on Silver Ghosts. Many were acquired within Australia—often cars he had known earlier in life—while others were imported. His approach to restoration was pragmatic and systematic: incomplete cars were completed using parts from damaged examples, components were exchanged, and work was undertaken on what was later described as an “almost production-line principle.” While this occasionally led to later confusion over identities, it ensured the survival of cars that might otherwise have been lost. Palfreyman was preserving Rolls-Royce history before preservation was fashionable. The Palfreyman Collection By the late 1960s, Palfreyman had assembled eighteen Silver Ghosts, along with other Rolls-Royce models—one of the largest concentrations of the type ever gathered in Australia. At the same time, international interest in veteran Rolls-Royce cars was rising sharply, stimulated by high-profile sales such as the Sword Collection auctions in England earlier in the decade. Against this backdrop, Palfreyman made the decision to sell. The Ingleside Auction – March 1969 The auction, held at St Helen’s Farm, Ingleside, Queensland, in March 1969, immediately became a landmark event. Fifteen Silver Ghosts were offered, alongside additional Rolls-Royce chassis and components. The cars were displayed in orderly ranks on the property—an image that has since become iconic. Attendance exceeded 700–1,000 people, including collectors, club members, journalists, and overseas buyers. Security was unusually tight, and several cars were sold by telephone to interstate and international bidders. Prices achieved were unprecedented for the time: • An average of approximately $3,000 per car • Total proceeds exceeding $25,000, a record for a veteran car auction in Australia Contemporary club commentary described the sale as “historic”, noting that such a concentration of Silver Ghosts was unlikely ever to be offered again at public auction in Australia. A Turning Point In hindsight, the Palfreyman auction marked a decisive shift. Veteran Rolls-Royce cars were no longer regarded merely as old vehicles, but as heritage artefacts. Many Palfreyman cars entered significant private collections in Australia and overseas, where several remain today. The auction also helped galvanise the Rolls-Royce enthusiast movement, reinforcing the idea that these cars deserved careful stewardship. Legacy Faris Palfreyman never sought recognition. Yet his influence is woven through Australian Rolls-Royce history—from the Depression-era rebodied Ghosts, to chauffeur-driven city taxis, to one of the most significant veteran car auctions ever held in this country. For today’s Silver Ghost owners, his story is a reminder that we are not merely owners, but custodians, standing in a long line that began when these cars were still part of everyday life. A Personal Beginning My own interest in Faris Palfreyman’s Silver Ghosts began long before I understood their significance. I was six years old when I first encountered them at my grandfather’s farm at Ingelside, Burleigh heads hinterland The sight of those great cars—parked quietly in the sheds and the purpose built brick Barn,—made an impression that never left me. From that time until their auction in 1969, I regularly visited the collection, and on many occasions was taken for drives in the Ghosts. To a child, they seemed immense, alive, and entirely unlike any other motor car. After the auction, when Faris moved to Canberra, he retained several veteran cars. Remarkably, when I was just fourteen, I bought one of them. I drove it around Canberra—no licence, no rego, and apparently no one thinking it odd that a boy of that age should be driving a veteran Rolls-Royce through the streets. The car had no started motor c1913, and I vividly remember the constant anxiety of stopping at traffic lights, worried it might stall and must jump out and crank start it. Happened only once and other occasions a quick flick of the ignition controls sufficed That early exposure never faded. After university, my interest in the cars re-emerged and then accelerated in the years that followed, evolving from childhood fascination into a lifelong engagement with the Silver Ghost and its history. Hence my current interest in bringing the Ghost experience with developing a touring company CARRR https://carrr.com.au/ to a new younger generation of drivers with the opportunity to use a ghost on a self-drive tour starting c2027. about vintage clothing and its unique history. Our journey began when we discovered a hidden gem at a local thrift store and fell in love with the timeless style. Since then, we have been curating a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces that showcase the beauty of vintage fashion.
Faris c 1927 flinders ranges
Faris c 1927 flinders ranges
Faris c 1927 flinders ranges
FARIS PALFREYMAN RR AUCTION C 1968
Faris palfreyman silver ghost auction
click on link to see george Sevenoaks as the auctioneer on a very hot day and clip of david jones RR club member
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T38IRWDssV4vPlxedcQiYwS1xNBtu5pE/view?usp=drive_link
HISTORIC PHOTOS
