1923 Silver Ghost Barker Limousine. Chassis number: 56HG Registration number: WY8329 Barker & Co. Ltd. were the favoured coach-builders for Silver Ghost chassis No: 56HG which was ordered in December 1922 and delivered in chassis form to Barkers on 31st January 1923. The completed car was delivered to G Dugdale & Co. Ltd. of Deansgate, Manchester, for their esteemed customer Sir Amos Nelson of Manor House, Thornden-in-Craven; a Yorkshire cotton manufacturer. The car was still in use in 1938 in the ownership of an S White and in 1963 passed through the hands of notable dealer Cecil Bendall, who sold the car to an Oliver Purks. In 1964 the car passed into Dutch ownership and some thirty or so years later it was back in England before crossing the water yet again to Ireland. Whilst in Irish ownership the car has been most actively used in Ireland Section R-R.E.C. Events, as well as participating regularly in the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club?s Gordon Bennett Rally. Seven years ago the car was Purchased by a Hampshire Wine maker & sparsely used on high days & holidays for local jaunts & tours of the vineyard properties. During this the car had a complete & full engine rebuild by A & S engineering, a large part of which was entrusted to Marque/Model specialist Alan Glew. The engine is still being run in & should be used gently for the next 1000 or so miles. At the same the radiator was rebuilt & just about everything else needing attention was also done. There are large bills on file that we will photograph as soon as the car arrives in the next week or two. 56HG is built on the long wheelbase chassis as a quite upright & period looking limousine. The coachwork is smartly presented in dark blue and cream livery, contrasting effectively with the polished aluminium bonnet. Distinctive features include the opera lamps mounted for the convenience of the rear passengers and the car is equipped with twin side-mounted spare wheels, running board-mounted spare petrol can and the distinctive Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. A luggage rack accommodates suitcases during a longer tour. During the last ownership a period temperature gauge has been sourced and fitted, along with a new exhaust manifold and six new tyres. The car starts readily on the handle, or on the electric starter. Once fired up she settles down to an utterly silent even idle. Warmed up she starts most times off the Switch. (IE by simply putting the ignition to Battery & retarding the advance/retard lever that creates a spark & fires the engine into life.) Once on the road the engine pulls strongly & at 60 mph or so is still close to silent. The car is equipped with Barker patent dipping headlights operated by pushing & pulling a lever next to the gear change. This has the effect of pivoting the whole headlamp downwards. The interior is dark blue velvet to the rear, extending to the door cards & occasional seats. Grey carpets bound in blue leather compliment the grey headlining. The front seat has been recently re-upholstered to match the original very dark blue leather & is thus as new. The leather front door cards are the original items. The cream & dark blue paint exhibits a few cracks & some patina, but is in good presentable order. The front window hinges open on either side for cool summer motoring. All in all, an opportunity to acquire a very original Ghost with a lovely patina, absolutely ready to embark on long tours. All the major expenditure has been done & the car is simply ready to be enjoyed.