A 101-year-old Rolls-Royce up for sale in UK

The stunning vintage car was the height of luxury when it rolled off the production line in 1911, costing up to ten times more than the average professional's annual wage at around 1500 pounds each.

The same amount would have been enough to buy a large house in the country at the time.

The car was officially named the 40/50hp but it soon picked up the 'Silver Ghost' moniker from owners and journalists because of its supreme quality, the Daily Mail reported.

The classic car, which was first launched in 1906, was even named the "best car in the world" by the prestigious publication Autocar in 1907.

This particular model was made in 1911 and delivered on April 1 that year to Sir Adolph Tuck, the son of Raphael Tuck who made his fortune in the postcard industry at the end of the 19th century.

Sir Adoph had the Rolls-Royce, which comes with its own champagne holder and picnic basket, fitted with a Landaulette body so he could be chauffeur driven around.

It was later re-bodied as a period two-seat tourer by Rippon Brothers Ltd, a coach building company with a proud history dating back centuries, which made a chariot throne for Queen Elizabeth I in 1584.

With Ghosts very rarely coming onto the open market, this classic example of luxury British engineering is expected to attract global interest when it is sold at Brooklands on September 1.

Auction house Historics, which is managing the sale, has set a guide price of 450,000 to 550,000 pounds for when it goes under the hammer.

"To find a Silver Ghost for sale is a red letter day. The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is a treasured car, it was so advanced and expensive when it was launched. It could cost the same a country home," Edward Bridger-Stille, Historics auction director, said.