Rolls-Royce has produced a limited edition model named the Phantom Silver to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Silver Ghost.
The manufacturer describes the Silver Ghost as "one of the most famous automotive names of all time".
More than 6,000 of the models were built between 1907 and 1925. In its first year of full production, the car broke the existing world record for a non-stop motor run, covering 14,371 miles by travelling from London to Glasgow 27 times.
The Phantom Silver will pay tribute to the specifications of the Silver Ghost, with a unique metallic paintjob, 21-inch wheels with chrome centres and a solid silver ‘spirit of ecstasy’ positioned on top of the grille.
Ian Robertson, chairman and chief executive of Rolls-Royce, said: "The Silver Ghost is such a significant model in the history of Rolls-Royce that we felt marking its 100th anniversary was entirely fitting.
"Its extraordinary reliability, refinement, comfort and virtually silent running were as important to Rolls-Royce in 1907 as they are today."
Only 25 versions of the commemorative Phantom Silver will be produced.
The Rolls-Royce head office and main manufacturing plant at Goodwood has played host to the largest gathering of Silver Ghosts ever, to celebrate the centenary of the classic model.
No fewer than 60 of the cars, manufactured between 1907 and 1926, were on display at Goodwood before they embarked on a 2,000-mile, 17-day tour.
In 1907, the Silver Ghost had its reputation as the "world’s finest car" confirmed by a reliability trial, Rolls-Royce claims, an event celebrated at the gathering.
The 20-Ghost Club, which encourages the restoration and maintenance of Rolls-Royce models built before 1945, organised the UK-wide tour. It will include stops in Derbyshire, the Lake District, Inverness, Dundas Castle in Edinburgh and John O’Groats.
Ian Robertson, chairman of Rolls-Royce, said: "We are delighted to support the 20-Ghost Club on this unique occasion. We are especially pleased and honoured to present these wonderful motor cars together at Goodwood, the new home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
"The Silver Ghost was designed and built with an obsession for quality combined with the highest level of engineering and this remains the foundation of our company today."
It was not only classic models that were on show at Goodwood, however, as a limited-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom Silver, built to mark the centenary, and the recently-launched Phantom Drophead Coupe were also on display.
British Car Auctions (BCA) is claiming a new UK sale record for a current production model, with a Rolls-Royce Phantom going for £208,000.
The model was registered in 2005 and had covered only 5,000 miles.
It was worth £275,000 when new and bidding for the car started at £140,000 before quickly escalating in £5,000 increments, as prospective buyers put in their offers in the hall and over the internet.
The £208,000 record exceeds the previous figure of £192,000, which was set in 2005 and was also paid for a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Paul Dunn, national account manager for BCA, put the popularity of the Phantom down to its exclusive nature and scarcity within the market.
"We had hundreds of buyers attending the sale, but the auction hall fell silent when this very rare car was offered," Mr Dunn said.
"The atmosphere was electric and when the hammer came down two and a half minutes later there was a round of applause from the buyers packing the auction hall."
The 3,000th Rolls-Royce Phantom has been sold by Rolls Royce Motor Cars since its January 2003 inception.
The prestigious vehicle, which retails for approximately £220,000, was taken up by the London-based socialite Lisa Tchenguiz-Imerman.
To commemorate the specially commissioned car, a plaque has been placed in its glovebox, with other unique features including a black ash veneer, black leather trim and two 12-inch DVD screens at the back of the vehicle.
Ian Robertson, chairman and chief executive of Rolls-Royce, said he was pleased that the 3,000th car had been taken up by a home market buyer.
Commenting upon the domestic market he added: "It remains one of the most important for the company and our London dealer in particular has been consistently ranked as one of the top three in the world since we launched the Phantom in 2003."
Other cars in the Phantom range being sold by the dealer include the Phantom Extended Wheelbase, retailing at £260,500 and the Phantom Drophead Coupe, which will cost a new buyer £260,000.
The latest model from Rolls-Royce, the Phantom Drophead Coupe, will make its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week and see its UK production commence at Goodwood this summer.
Rolls-Royce describes the four-seat, two-door convertible as a "less formal interpretation" of the brand’s characteristic design than the four-door Phantom.
The new model will allow buyers to specify a brushed steel bonnet, which is hand-finished to ensure a uniform grain, and a rear teak deck.
Owing to its aluminium frame, the new Phantom is "lightweight and exceptionally strong", according to Rolls-Royce, while its fabric hood is the largest of any modern convertible and uses five layers of material for insulation.
The car will be powered by a 6.75-litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine, which will enable the car to reach 62mph in 5.7 seconds.
Graeme Grieve, sales and marketing director of Rolls-Royce, commented: "The reaction to the Drophead Coupe has been phenomenal. This year’s production has already been allocated and there are currently only a few build slots left in 2008.
"We are delighted that more than half of the orders are from customers who have never owned a Rolls-Royce before, so the new model is significantly expanding the appeal of our products."
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