1912 ROLLS ROYCE 40/50 TOURER SILVER GHOST 1/12 Scale Model
This 1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50 “Tourer” Silver Ghost scale model is an extraordinary and potentially a rare piece of automotive history. The Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost is one of the most iconic luxury vehicles in automotive history, first introduced in 1907. A 1/12th scale model made from materials like nickel and brass with luxurious details like a leather roof lining and diamond cut headlights, could indeed have been a promotional or prototype item used by Rolls Royce, likely for display purposes or as a high-end sales tool for the brand's elite clientele. Here are 5 possibilities that could explain the origins and nature of this model per collectors. 1.) Sales / Marketing Prototype** Rolls Royce often created highly detailed models as promotional tools for high end customers, either to showcase a potential car or to advertise the quality and craftsmanship of their full-sized automobiles. Given that this model is very detailed and uses premium materials like real leather, nickel and brass, it's possible this was one of those promotional items. Salesmen might have used such models to explain the intricacies of the full-size car’s design, luxury features and build quality. The inclusion of a Ruby for the brake light and diamond cut headlights suggests that the model was made to an exceptionally high standard, perhaps even handcrafted. 2.) Prototype or Custom Commission** Rolls Royce has a long history of custom commissions and wealthy clients often had unique or bespoke cars made to their specifications. This model could have been a prototype, or a miniature version of a custom vehicle designed for a specific client or a special occasion. The luxurious features, such as the ruby brake light and diamond cut headlights, could point to it being a model made for a very discerning customer who wanted their Rolls Royce to be represented in miniature form with the same level of luxury. 3.) Limited Edition Model** Rolls Royce has occasionally produced limited edition or artistically crafted models to celebrate milestones in the company's history or to mark the release of new vehicles. A 1/12th scale model from over 100 years ago could be part of a rare batch made for collectors or special exhibitions. 4.) Craftsmanship and Materials The use of nickel, brass, leather, and a ruby brake light speaks to an extremely high level of craftsmanship which might suggest the model was created as a work of art rather than as a mass-produced item. Rolls Royce is known for its dedication to quality, so such a model could have been commissioned to showcase the company’s attention to detail and fine materials. 5.) Historic Significance** If this model has been preserved for over a century, it could be a historical artifact that was part of Rolls Royce’s early marketing efforts or even something used in a specific event, such as the launch of the Silver Ghost. It could also be a prototype that was never mass-produced, making it even rarer and more valuable.
12" L x 8" H x 8" W
Inherited
Yes
Hi Robert,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
All of your ideas are great ones, and without a bit more information we may never know the true history...and while that *might* add a bit of value to this, the craftsmanship speaks for itself and is the largest determining factor from an appraisal standpoint.
I've started doing some research into high-end scale models and have found a few (contemporary) records that - while not 100% comparable - will help me establish some value coordinates or reference points to narrow down the value range for this
- https://supercarblondie.com/most-expensive-model-car-rolls-royce-cullinan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com ($40,000)
- https://www.worldrecordacademy.com/transport/most_expensive_model_car_Lamborghini_Aventador_Model_sets_world_record_112627.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com ($4.7 million)
- https://www.amalgamcollection.com/collections/1-8-scale/products/bugatti-57sc-atlantic-1938-metallic-blue ($25,000)
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/62438-most-expensive-toy-model-car?utm_source=chatgpt.com ($40,000)
I think the $4.7Million Lamborghini result is a fluke but if we discount that, we're looking at a range of $25,000-40,000. The fact that your car was made with such detail in 1912 (when technology wasn't nearly as sophisticated) would suggest a value of $40,000-60,000 or $50,000-70,000 might not be unreasonable.
There are other high-end car auctioneers other than Sotheby's (I'm assuming you've reached out to RM Sotheby's, which is their corporate partner for antique and vintage cars) - you might also contact Gooding & Co, which recently partnered with Christie's. Bonhams is a leading auctioneer in the antique and vintage car market, as are Broad Arrow, Mecum and Barrett-Jackson auction houses. They'll want to assign their own value to this if they decide to take it for auction.
I'm not sure how much more I can do on this but I'm feeling confident that deep-pocketed Rolls Royce collectors would be interested in potentially acquiring this rare model.
1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50 “Tourer” Silver Ghost 1/12th scale model
Materials: nickel, brass, leather and a ruby
Height: 8 inches; length: 12 inches; width: 8 inches
$40,000-70,000
Let me know if you have questions; otherwise, you're all set.
Thanks for using Mearto; we appreciate your business.
Delia
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Hi Delia,
That is the million-dollar question. We do know that my wife’s grandfather acquired this item while he was on vacation in Buenos Aires, Argentina
in 1958. He also purchased some uncut gems as well while in Argentina, but we don’t know if he acquired this item from the gem dealer or if he
acquired it by some other means. We do not know the gem dealer either. I understand that knowing its origin and specifically its original ownership
and linage would be extremely significant. But that is not known. But we do know that it came from Argentina because it has a stamped name plate
in brass at the back which states Buenos Aires. As I have been explained by collectors across the country, it is extremely important to be cognizant
of how intricate this model is and the extreme fabricating it took to made it in an era where these types of “models” did not exist commonly. And the
extreme details and “extreme” effort it took to make this an “operational” model in those days’ world have been impossible for the common man.
Even in today’s standards by which similar models are made, it is still extremely difficult to duplicate this type of intricate miniature fabricating.
Most of the comments I have received have been that Rolls Royce Car Company could make this intricate model because they had the ability
to make these miniature molds. These are some of the possibilities which I have informed that could explain its presence.
Sales / Marketing Prototype**
Rolls Royce often created highly detailed models as promotional tools for high end customers, either to showcase a potential car or to advertise
the quality and craftsmanship of their full-sized automobiles. Given that this model is very detailed and uses premium materials like real leather, nickel
and brass, it's possible this was one of those promotional items. Salesmen might have used such models to explain the intricacies of the full-size car’s
design, luxury features and build quality. The inclusion of a Ruby for the brake light and diamond cut headlights suggests that the model was made to an
exceptionally high standard, perhaps even handcrafted.
Prototype or Custom Commission**
Rolls Royce has a long history of custom commissions and wealthy clients often had unique or bespoke cars made to their specifications. This model
could have been a prototype, or a miniature version of a custom vehicle designed for a specific client or a special occasion. The luxurious features,
such as the ruby brake light and diamond cut headlights, could point to it being a model made for a very discerning customer who wanted their Rolls
Royce to be represented in miniature form with the same level of luxury.
Limited Edition Model**
Rolls Royce has occasionally produced limited edition or artistically crafted models to celebrate milestones in the company's history or to mark the
release of new vehicles. A 1/12th scale model from over 100 years ago could be part of a rare batch made for collectors or special exhibitions.
Craftsmanship and Materials
The use of nickel, brass, leather, and a ruby brake light speaks to an extremely high level of craftsmanship which might suggest the model was created
as a work of art rather than as a mass-produced item. Rolls Royce is known for its dedication to quality, so such a model could have been commissioned
to showcase the company’s attention to detail and fine materials.
Historic Significance**
If this model has been preserved for over a century, it could be a historical artifact that was part of Rolls Royce’s early marketing efforts or even something
used in a specific event, such as the launch of the Silver Ghost. It could also be a prototype that was never mass-produced, making it even rarer and more valuable.
I believe with certainty that this model is extremely rare and possibly the only one of its kind to have survived. I have tried multiple times to contact someone
at the Rolls Royce Car Company but no one has responded to my inquires. I appreciate your help. I have also contacted auction houses such as Christies in London,
but once again no one has responded to my inquires. I am at this point just willing to simply wrap it up and put it in the closet for another 65 years. But the
family is hoping you can help. Thank you,