Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed a unique Black Badge Ghost commissioned to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Charles Rolls’ victory in the 1906 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. Unveiled on the Isle of Man itself, the Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy pays tribute to one of the most significant competition successes in the company’s early history while translating elements of the winning car into a contemporary luxury sedan.
For American enthusiasts more familiar with Rolls-Royce’s modern reputation for bespoke luxury than its early motorsport exploits, the commission shines a spotlight on the adventurous spirit of company co-founder Charles Stewart Rolls. Long before Rolls-Royce became synonymous with chauffeured transportation, Rolls was an accomplished racing driver, engineer, balloonist and aviation pioneer.
The inspiration for the project comes from the Light 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce that Rolls and riding mechanic Eric Platford drove to victory in the 1906 Tourist Trophy. Contested over four laps of the Isle of Man’s 40.38-mile Highroads Course, the race rewarded efficiency and reliability as much as outright speed. Rolls started fourth on the road and built a commanding lead, ultimately completing the event in 4 hours, 6 minutes and 0.06 seconds at an average speed of 39.4 mph. Remarkably, the car crossed the finish line with just one pint and one ounce of fuel remaining.
The most obvious reference to the historic machine is the exterior finish. The Black Badge Ghost is painted in Dark Emerald, a color selected to echo the green hue of the victorious 20 H.P. A contrasting Tan coachline runs the length of the car and incorporates a hand-painted number four motif in Arctic White, referencing both Rolls’ starting position and the four laps completed during the race.
Inside, the cabin combines Black leather and Rolls-Royce’s Technical Fibre trim with Tan leather accents, stitching and seat piping. Mocassin lambswool carpets add warmth to the otherwise dark interior.
The most distinctive bespoke detail appears on the rear waterfall section between the rear seats, where an embroidered outline of the Isle of Man’s Short Highroads Course has been incorporated into the upholstery. Additional references are hidden throughout the cabin. Engravings inside the center air vents record details from the original race-winning car, including registration number AX157, chassis number 26350B, the race date of September 27, 1906, and the coordinates of the race start and finish line.
Illuminated treadplates also reference chassis number 26350B, effectively turning the cabin into what Rolls-Royce describes as a private archive dedicated to the historic victory.
While the commission is rooted in a 120-year-old competition success, Rolls-Royce selected the Black Badge Ghost as its canvas for a reason. The marque sees the performance-oriented Black Badge series as the modern embodiment of Charles Rolls’ appetite for speed, innovation and risk-taking. The result is a highly personal one-off that connects the brand’s contemporary flagship sedan to a little-known but important chapter in its early history.
Rather than relying on overt graphics or commemorative badging, the Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy takes a more restrained approach, using carefully considered bespoke details to tell the story of a race that helped establish Rolls-Royce’s reputation for engineering excellence in the earliest years of motoring.
