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A VINTAGE Rolls-Royce from 1912 is now worth a staggering £300,000 after it was restored to its former glory.

Over the course of 19 years, £600,000 worth of painstaking work was carried out on the classic motor – which awaits its new owner.

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This Silver Ghost Tourer was originally made in 1912[/caption]

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The incredible piece of machinery has a wooden steering wheel[/caption]

The Silver Ghost Tourer is finished in striking silver with contrasting dark green features and has a full-length mohair retractable roof.

The pre-war car has been finished with a matching emerald buttoned leather upholstery and has the registration number BF 8930 and chassis number 2082.

The 40/50hp model was introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1906 and quickly earned the moniker ‘Silver Ghost’, thanks to its exceptional performance and engineering.

The car’s magnificent 7,036cc side-valve ‘six’ engine – later increased to 7,428cc- with seven-bearing crankshaft and pressure lubrication is at the heart of this remarkable machine.

The chassis, composed of channel-section side members and tubular cross members, is suspended on semi-elliptic springs at the front and a ‘platform’ leaf-spring arrangement at the rear.

In 2003, the dismantled Silver Ghost was sold at Bonhams’ auction at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, where its current owner acquired it.

Since then, the car has been lovingly restored to the highest standards by a leading ‘Ghost specialist’.

The meticulous restoration process was completed in 2022 and led to costs totalling £600,000.

The car is set to be auctioned off by Bonhams Cars on 13 April 2025 for £300K.

“This meticulously restored Silver Ghost is not only a marvel of automotive engineering but also an imposing and breathtaking motor car that is perfect for events hosted by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club (RREC) and the 20 Ghost Club,” reads the listing.

“The model was constantly refined during its 20-year production run, with improvements to both the transmission and suspension, ensuring it remained one of the finest cars on the road.

“The model was originally fitted with limousine coachwork, as confirmed by John Fasal’s authoritative work, The Edwardian Rolls-Royce.

“The car had a distinguished history, with previous owners including Sir Robert Moncreiffe of London and Captain P A Brooksbank of Knebworth, Herts.

“It is known to have existed in chassis-only form in 1962 and is believed to have been in Australia from the 1960s to the 1990s.

“The result is a motor car that drives in the model’s famous silence, embodying the essence of early 20th-century luxury.”

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The classic car has had £600,000 worth of repair and work splashed on it[/caption]

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It has a 7,036cc side-valve ‘six’ engine[/caption]

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The leather interior has been reupholstered in a majestic green[/caption]

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The model was originally fitted with limousine coachwork[/caption]

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The restoration took 19 years[/caption]

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A VITAL bridge used by more than 20,000 motorists every day could be demolished after being shuttered for six years.

The prolonged closure of London’s Hammersmith Bridge has left local communities and businesses struggling with increased congestion, longer travel times, and financial losses.

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Hammersmith Bridge could be demolished after being shut for more than half a decade[/caption]

A proposal to have the bridge demolished and replaced with a fresh crossing was put forward by the Department for Transport (DfT) to resolve the structure’s poor state but was rejected.

It is unclear how long a full repair programme would take if eventually greenlit, but Putney MP Fleur Anderson estimated it could take until 2035.

“We have the opportunity to create an iconic car-free crossing in our capital city, and the taskforce should seize it,” said Izzy Romilly, of climate charity Possible.

Hammersmith Bridge, a historic 138-year-old suspension bridge spanning the River Thames, has been closed to motorists since 2019 due to severe structural damage.

Initially expected to be repaired swiftly, the bridge has instead become a symbol of political deadlock and bureaucratic delays.

The cost of fully restoring Hammersmith Bridge has skyrocketed, now estimated at £250 million – a sharp rise from the original £40 million projection in 2019.

Responsibility for funding the repairs is split between Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Transport for London (TFL), and the Department for Transport (DFT).

However, a lack of agreement on financing has stalled progress, leaving the bridge closed to vehicles for the foreseeable future.

For commuters, the closure has been a nightmare.

Before it was shut, 22,000 cars and multiple bus routes crossed the bridge daily.

With traffic diverted to other routes, journey times have significantly increased, adding up to an hour in some cases.

Local businesses have also suffered, with lorries unable to make deliveries, and emergency services forced to take longer detours.

Campaigners and local MPs continue to push for a resolution, highlighting the bridge’s importance to London’s transport network.

Labour MP Fleur Anderson has warned that unless urgent action is taken, the bridge could remain closed to vehicles until 2035.

Meanwhile, Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has called on the government to provide additional funding, stressing that neither TfL nor the local council can afford the cost alone.

The lack of progress has frustrated residents and businesses alike. Nigel Edwards, chair of the Hammersmith Bridge SOS campaign group, described the situation as a “tremendous inconvenience,” particularly for people with mobility issues who now face significant challenges in accessing key services.

Despite ongoing debates and mounting public pressure, there is no clear timeline for when Hammersmith Bridge will fully reopen.

Discussions between government officials, the local council, and TfL continue, but without a firm financial commitment, the delays are set to continue.

MEATH athlete Nichola Sheridan pulled off the ultimate ‘Irish goodbye’ prior to her victory n Sunday’s inaugural Dublin City Half Marathon.

The runner hilariously revealed that she snook away her sister’s hen party on Saturday night before storming to victory in the race.

The Bohermeen AC athlete clocked a winning time of 78 minutes flat to become the first-ever women’s champion of the new event.

Nearly 12,000 runners hit the streets of the Irish capital on a sunny Mother’s Day.

Sherdian was delighted after her win as she revealed why she once again took up running after the sad passing of her father.

She said: “This is the biggest win of my career.

“When my dad passed away when I was 18, I took up running again and David Carrie, who was a good friend of my dad’s, started coaching me two years ago.

“He’s brought my time down from 1:25 to 1:16 and is an amazing support.”

Sheridan romped to victory ahead of Sportsworld’s Noreen Brouder (81:42), with her friend Edel Gaffney of Trim AC third with a time of 83:31.

The runner went on to admit that she left her sister’s hen party early due to the mini-marathon.

She added: “I had my sister’s hen yesterday.

“so I had to do an Irish goodbye — shout out to her because I don’t think she was too impressed I had to leave!.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable. It was a really good course, well organised.”

On the men’s side, it was Killian Mooney of Dundrum South Dublin AC who took the win in style, cruising home in 65:40.

The event was just his third ever half marathon.

Speaking after his success in the inaugural run, he admitted it was extra special.

He said: “It was amazing, I loved it.

“Running through the city, past Croke Park, was so enjoyable.”

“I never thought I’d do a ‘half’,” he added. “I was much more of a 10km runner, but I think I may have found my distance now.”

David Kelly of St Coca’s AC took second in 67:02. The PE teacher and former US collegiate runner is still coached by Irish great Mark Carroll.

He was delighted with the result but admitted the mental toll the sport has taken on him.

Kelly said: “A year ago I was mentally burned out, just needed a break.

“I’m not putting any pressure on myself now and I haven’t missed a day since January which is really working for me.”

Michael Fox of Armagh AC rounded out the men’s podium in 67:24.

The wheelchair races were also fiercely contested.

Kildare’s Patrick Monahan winning the men’s race in 50:59, and British Paralympian Jade Hall taking the women’s title in 57:07.

The got underway at 8:30am on O’Connell Street, it saw runners take on a scenic 21km route through Ballybough, Whitehall, Raheny, Clontarf and Fairview, before finishing up on Guild Street.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain praised the event and its impact on community before going on to congratulate all participants.

Blain said: “I want to congratulate everyone who participated today,” she said, “whether you came near the top or the back of the field, what a brilliant achievement to take part in a half marathon.

“We want to make Dublin an active, inclusive city for all,” she continued.

“Through the Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, we work to break down barriers and create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage in sport and physical activity.

“Our Community Engagement Half Marathon Programme is a key part of this vision—supporting 225 participants on their journey to the start line.

“From running clubs to community groups, we’re empowering people to unlock their potential and build lasting connections through sport.”

SELL OUT

Tickets for the race sold out in a matter of hours back in January, with the €68 entry fee including a finisher’s medal and T-shirt.

A €13,500 prize fund was split among the top five male and female finishers on the day.

Organisers say the debut race has firmly cemented its place on the Irish athletics calendar.

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HOUSEHOLDS are set to see their bills shoot up this week due to the Awful April price hikes.

It’s estimated millions of households will be paying an average of £416 extra per year thanks to the rises.

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Millions of households will see price rises this week[/caption]

However the exact amount per household will depend on where you live and your individual circumstances.

The increases are coming into force on Tuesday, April 1.

Here’s all the ways you could be affected…

Water bills

Water companies are set to increase bills for customers in England and Wales by an average of £10 a month.

The increase does vary across different companies, so you should check how much your particular supplier is raising the price by.

As an example, Anglian Water is raising its prices by 19% to £626 a year.

Southern Water customers will see a much bigger increase of 47%, raising the annual cost to £703.

The companies have said the increases are needed to allow them to invest in infrastructure and build more reservoirs.

It’s worth noting that how much water you use and whether you have a water meter will also impact your bills.

Therefore it could be worth trying to cut down on your usage or getting a meter installed.

Council tax

The majority of local authorities will be raising council tax this year.

In England, most councils can only increase the tax by 4.99% unless they hold a referendum or a local vote.

However smaller councils without social care duties can only increase bills by 2.99%.

The Government has allowed Bradford, Newham, Birmingham, Somerset, and Windsor and Maidenhead to raise council tax beyond the 4.99% cap.

Meanwhile in Wales there isn’t a similar limit, so council tax rates could jump by as much as 15%.

Energy bills

The energy price cap is also rising this week, meaning the average energy bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity is going up by £111 a year to £1,849.

Regulator Ofgem sets the energy price cap, which is reviewed every three months and limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity.

The cap is rising this time due to higher wholesale costs and inflation.

Of course, the amount you actually pay will depend on your consumption so it could be worth cutting back where possible and getting a smart meter installed to track your usage more accurately.

Broadband and mobile

Mobile companies tend to increase their prices around now, and BT, EE, O2, Three, Vodafone and Tesco Mobile have all said they will be doing so in April.

New rules introduced by the regulator this year means companies must tell customers “in pounds and pence” about any price rises as well as when they happen.

For example, EE and BT will push up the cost of their Sim-only contracts by £18 a year, while O2 is increasing its charges by £21.60 a year.

Meanwhile broadband deals will also rise on April 1.

Regulator Ofcom has said anyone who signs up for a broadband deal from January 17, 2025, will be given a fixed annual price increase.

Most broadband providers will increase their fixed rates by £36 a year, although Virgin Media is pushing up its prices by £42.

TV licence

Another bill set to rise for households is the TV licence.

It will be going up by £5 to £174.50 this week.

You may be able to get a free TV licence if you are 75 or older and you or your partner who lives at the same address receive Pension Credit.

Car tax

The flat rate cost of car tax is also increasing by £5 to £195 a year.

Of course, the amount you pay will depend on the car you drive – or rather, the year it was registered and whether it’s petrol or diesel.

There’s also a major change for electric car drivers, as these will no longer be exempt from paying next week.

Electric vehicles registered from April 2025 will start paying the lowest rate of £10 in the first year before moving to the standard rate.

The standard rate will also apply to electric vehicles first registered after April 2017.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is a lump sum payment you have to make when purchasing property over a certain threshold.

The thresholds are being lowered this week, meaning house buyers will have to start paying the tax on properties over £125,000, instead of over £250,000.

First-time buyers currently had paid no stamp duty on homes up to £425,000, but this is dropping to £300,000.

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